The College of Arts and Sciences is an active and dynamic community of learning through cutting-edge research, creative work, and preparing and empowering students at all levels to be productive and engaged global citizens who view education as a lifelong endeavor and responsibility.
Points of Pride is a new initiative to celebrate the work, passion, and discovery created by our community over the course of the 2024-2025 academic year as a reflection of our mission as a college.
Interim Dean, Brenton DeBoef
“Arts and Sciences is interdisciplinary by design. The most compelling careers today demand people who can think across fields, connect ideas, and solve complex problems. Our flexible curriculum makes it easy to double major, or to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree on an accelerated track. They graduate with the depth and versatility to lead in constantly evolving fields and shape the careers that don’t yet exist.”
College of Arts and Sciences Values
- Intellectual achievements and cultural traditions in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences
- Collaboration with students in research, learning, and outreach
- Diversity, inclusivity, civic and global engagement
- Intellectual curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and scholarly inquiry
- Life-long learning and pursuits that are interdisciplinary, integrated, satisfying and meaningful
By the numbers
The College of Arts and Sciences had a record-breaking year in new commitment donors with several notable gifts such as:
- $2,750,000 in support of the new Fine Arts Center, which includes a $2M gift from Howard ’62 and Mary Frank.
- Expansion of the Taricani Visiting Journalist Fund.
- An additional $800,000 pledge in support of the James and June Diller Scholarship, benefiting RI students planning to major in science related fields.
Celebrating Success
In the News 2024-25
Several exciting milestones and accomplishments were celebrated across the College of Arts and Sciences this year; from ascending to an R1 University to once in a lifetime awards and presentation opportunities. As the College continues to evolve and change, it is these very accomplishments that propel us forward and set a new standard of excellence.
Growth: What’s next for A&S
As a public academic institution, the College of Arts and Sciences aims to be renowned for our contributions to the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences, as well as interdisciplinary pursuits. The future of the arts and sciences at URI will only continue to get us closer to that ongoing goal with these exciting growth opportunities coming over the next year.
The College of Arts & Sciences is the academic cornerstone of New England’s #1 public university—and we’re still growing. We’re launching new interdisciplinary programs in Environmental Humanities, Music Therapy, and Artificial Intelligence, and we’ve created an innovative Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies to serve nontraditional students.Brenton DeBoef, Interim Dean
URI Fine Arts Center
The College of Arts and Sciences is home to an active community of artists, designers, composers, performers, and scholars. To support our artists, we are thrilled to premiere the new Fine Arts Center set to open in spring 2026!
The new 3-story 60,000 sqft building is designed to bring artists together and give them the physical space to inspire creativity. The fine arts, which include art, music, and theatre, provide students with a range of valuable learning experiences. Further, the new Fine Arts Center represents a space that reflects the University’s artistic vision and a vibrant future.
The space will include brand new: URI Theatre lobby and box office, a main art gallery, modern acting/dance classrooms, student performance spaces, technical areas for digital art and media, and recording studios.
Pre-Law Program
The Pre-Law program at URI provides preparation, support and advising for students who are considering applying to law school, regardless of their major. We have a team of advisors who guide students through their undergraduate studies and how to choose the degree program(s), courses, experiential opportunities, and other activities that will pave the way to law school, and beyond.
Interested students are encouraged to join: The Pre-Law Society, Mock Trial Club, Women’s Pre-law Society, Mock classes, LSATS, and more!
Pre-Law information
Astrophysics
The Physics Department is expanding by rolling out a brand new major for both undergraduate and graduate students: Astrophysics, the study of the physical nature of stars and other celestial bodies, and the application of the laws and theories of physics to the interpretation of astronomical observations. The research and the development of the new astrophysics major will cater to a popular area of interest within the physics discipline and will contribute to building enrollment for undergrads and grads alike.
In the fall 2026 semester, the Honor Colloquium will focus on Interstellar Exploration. This theme will be influential in the growth of the department in the years to come.
Physics departmentContact
Dean’s Office – Suite 260
Chafee Social Science Center
142 Flagg Road
Kingston, RI 02881
Phone: 401.874.4104
To pitch stories about alumni, faculty, and students for the 2025-2026 academic year, please contact paige.monopoli@uri.edu