College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Since its founding in 1875, Park University has stressed the importance of a liberal arts education to prepare students to be creative, independent, lifelong learners. At the heart of that tradition is the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which offers innovative programs in the fine and performing arts, the humanities, and the natural and social sciences.
Classes in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences provide an invaluable foundation for a variety of careers, advanced professional programs or post-graduate coursework. Students master several academic subjects and become critical thinkers and adept problem-solvers, able to understand the complexities of the human experience. Coursework in the liberal arts and sciences stresses not just the acquisition of a set of skills but the development of the whole person.
The College is made up of more than fifty full-time faculty and includes the Hauptmann School of Public Affairs, the School of Humanities, and the School of Natural and Applied Sciences. Programs include Biology, Chemistry, Communication Arts, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity, English, Fine Art, Geography, Graphic Design, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Interior Design, Mathematics, Music, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, and Sociology.
The College also includes the Honors Academy, the Liberal Education Program and the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War.
Dr. Jerzy Hauptmann Distinguished Guest Lecture Series
The Park University Dr. Jerzy Hauptmann Distinguished Guest Lecture Series was established through the generosity of alumni, colleagues and friends of Hauptmann upon his 40th anniversary at Park. The lecture series brings outstanding scholars to the Kansas City area to address topics related to Hauptmann’s three areas of study: international politics, public administration and democracy.
- 2023 – Dr. Yascha Mounk, “The Great Experiment – How Diversity Protects Democracy”
- 2022 – Dr. David Kang, “U.S.-China Relations in an Increasingly Tense World”
- 2021 – Dr. Mary Guy, “Public Administration’s Triple Bottom Line: People, Process and Performance”
- 2020 – Dr. Norma Riccucci, “The Importance of Diverse Workforces in Promoting Democratic Values”
- 2019 – Dr. Stephen Walt, “Can America Still Have a Successful Foreign Policy?”
- 2018 – Reggie Robinson, “Walls, Bridges and the Power of Empathy: Leading Effectively Within a Deeply Fragmented Society”
- 2017 – Alexander Heffner, “The Future of Civil Discourse”
- 2016 – Dr. Francis Fukuyama, “The Origins of Political Order”
- 2015 – Dr. Frank J. Thompson, “The Struggle to Implement Obamacare: Implications for American Governance”
- 2014 – Dr. Robert Jervis, “Why Does the U.S. Spend so Much on Security and Feel so Insecure? Fear, Interests and Opportunity in Contemporary American Foreign Policy”
- 2013 — Dr. Theda Skocpol, “The Tea Party and Civic Engagement in America”
- 2012 — Dr. Walter D. Broadnax, “Leadership Challenges for the Presidency: A World of Opportunities and Hazards”
- 2011 — Dr. John J. Mearsheimer, “Why Leaders Lie: The Truth About Lying in International Politics”
- 2010 — Dr. José Luis Valdés-Ugalde, “A Historical Assessment of the Inter-American Dilemma: The Conflict Between Security, Democratic Governance and Progress”
- 2009 — Dr. Pan Suk Kim, “Building Trust in Government by Improving Governance”
- 2008 — Dr. Lawrence J. Korb, “National Security in an Age of Terrorists, Tyrants and Weapons of Mass Destruction”
- 2007 — Dr. Emily Hauptmann, “Fighting Words: How Political Scientists and the Big Foundations Defined ‘Democracy’ During the Cold War”
- 2006 — Dr. David Rosenbloom, “Preserving Constitutional Government in an Age of Outsourcing”
- 2005 — Dr. Michael E. O’Hanlon, “The Axis of Evil and Doctrine of Preemption Three Years On”
- 2004 — Dr. Robert M. Entman, “Media, Foreign Policy and American Democracy After 9/11”
- 2003 — Dr. Patricia Ingraham, “The Performance Challenge: Why Public Management is Not for the Faint of Heart”
- 2002 — Dr. Donald J. Puchala, “The Tragedy of War and the Search for Meaning in International History”
- 2001 — Dr. John Mueller, “Democracy and Ralph’s Pretty Good Grocery”
- 2000 — Dr. Donald Kettl, “Managing Government in a Globalized World”
- 1999 — Dr. John Lukacs, “The Idea of Europe”
- 1998 — Dr. Robert H. Ferrell, “From Wilson to Truman: Democracy and the American Presidency”
- 1997 — Dr. Chester A. Newland, “The Search for Reasonableness in Public Administration”
- 1996 — Dr. Richard L. Walker, “The Cultural Dimension of Foreign Relations”
- 1995 — Dr. David Mathews, “Democracy in America”
- 1994 — Dr. Dwight Waldo, “Public Administration Today: Multiple Perspectives”
- 1993 — Dr. Jan Prybyla, “The Interplay of Economics and Politics in the Transformation of Social Systems”
Mission
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences of Park University will prepare graduates who are articulate, literate, reflective, lifelong learners and active global citizens.
VISION
The College will be a leader in providing quality, innovative, programs for academic preparation and intellectual growth, through multiple means, in a way that meets the needs of people living in an interdependent world.
Dean’s Welcome
Since its inception, Park University has been a liberal arts institution with an emphasis on experiential learning. Today we in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences carry on that tradition through innovative programs in the fine arts, the humanities, and the natural, applied, and social sciences. Our award winning faculty come from a diverse array of backgrounds but share a common belief that educating students in the liberal arts is a necessary foundation for any undergraduate degree.
The College is made up of more than fifty full-time faculty and includes the Hauptmann School of Public Affairs, the School of Humanities, and the School of Natural and Applied Sciences. Programs include Biology, Chemistry, Communication Arts, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity, English, Fine Art, Geography, Graphic Design, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Interior Design, Mathematics, Music, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, and Sociology.
The College also includes the Honors Academy, the Liberal Education Program, and the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War.
James F. Pasley, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Professor of Political Science
Mackay Hall 20
816-584-6480
james.pasley@park.edu
Hauptmann school of public affairs
- Department of Politics and Administration
- Department of Culture and Society
School of Humanities
- Department of Art and Design
- Department of English and Interdisciplinary Studies
- International Center for Music
School of Natural and Applied Sciences
- Department of Natural & Physical Sciences
- Department of Computing and Mathematical Sciences
Dr. James F. Pasley
Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Professor of Political Science
james.pasley@park.edu
Dr. Debra Sheffer
Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Professor of History
debra.sheffer@park.edu
Scott A. Hageman
Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Associate Professor of Geology/GeoScience
scott.hageman@park.edu
Park University is committed to providing assistance to students who do not receive federal grant assistance. We welcome applications from students who have distinguished themselves through school, community and/or church activities while showing significant academic achievement in school. We have over 7 categories of scholarships both internal and external, that cater to all our student including international scholars.
For more information on how to apply for the scholarships visit Scholarship Information Guide | Financial Aid | Park University
At Park University, we value the next career step after gradating. The Career Center is ready to assist you! With upcoming programs and events that are geared towards job opportunities, our staff members are available to connect with you.
The following ways can be used to reach out to our career teams : 1) Online drop-in hours 2) by appointment 3) by email or 4) by phone. For more information and our current hours, please visit Career Development (park.edu)