College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences

Dear Seattle University Community, 

We are pleased to announce that, effective September 1, the College of Arts and Sciences has been officially reorganized and renamed as the College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences (CHESS).

This new identity creates exciting opportunities for students, faculty, departments, and programs as we cultivate new interdisciplinary collaboration across programs and between our South Lake Union and First Hill campuses.

We have appointed College of Arts and Sciences Dean Monica J. Casper as the Dean of CHESS, and Charisse Cowan Pitre will continue as Interim Dean of the School of Education during a year-long transition period.

As previously announced, the arts programs housed in the College of Arts and Sciences are being integrated into Cornish College of the Arts over the course of this year. This context created an opportunity for reimagining and reorganizing the College of Arts and Sciences. 

As part of this reorganization, the College of Education has become part of CHESS, now as the School of Education. This change was approved by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board in April and the SU Board of Trustees in May. 

The CHESS name was chosen after a months-long exploration process. A survey, completed by more than 160 faculty and staff over the summer, clearly indicated CHESS as the preferred name for the future of the college. 

This new identity more accurately reflects the disciplines contained in the new college as we bring together programs that share a dedication to fulfilling SU's Jesuit mission and empowering tomorrow's leaders. Aligning with our Strategic Directions, the launch of CHESS will position SU to be on the forefront of interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship.

It is our hope and expectation that this new college will provide avenues for students to engage with a wider range of fields and disciplines, as well as explore pathways to graduate degrees, particularly in Education. As CHESS grows and integrates, we anticipate that the college/school model will lead to the formation of more new schools within the college alongside existing programs, creating a firm foundation for stable growth.

We are grateful to the deans, their leadership teams, and all faculty, staff, and students as we embrace the future at CHESS. 

Respectfully, 

Maura B. Mast, PhD 
President 

Shane P. Martin, PhD 
Provost