Melanie Hetzel-Riggin
As we move into an uncertain future in the world and in higher education, I am impressed by the level of excellence that our School of Humanities and Social Sciences continues to demonstrate in SHAPE. Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts for People and the Economy—or SHAPE—is a framework that emphasizes the importance of our school’s disciplines in addressing complex societal challenges and creating a sustainable future.
SHAPE represents a fundamental shift that advocates for the recognition and integration of social sciences, humanities, and the arts with the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Key aspects of the SHAPE framework include an emphasis on collaboration across disciplines, the development of humancentered solutions, critical thinking, empathy, cultural and social insight, economic impact, and innovation and creativity.
The SHAPE framework centers on teaching students strong communication skills, collaboration, interpersonal skills, adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong learning. It can also promote social responsibility, empathy, and ethical decision-making to help improve the lives of others— something that 60 percent of incoming college students surveyed for a recent report identified as important to them.
By valuing the unique contributions of SHAPE fields, we can achieve sustainable and inclusive progress, ensuring that economic and technological advancements are grounded in humanistic and ethical considerations. The faculty, students, and alumni of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences continue to show their commitment to placing SHAPE efforts at the center of their work, and I am proud of their accomplishments in the classroom, in research and creative activities, in the workforce, and in the community. I am excited to see how their efforts will SHAPE our world in the future.
Dr. Melanie D. Hetzel-Riggin
Director of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences