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 2025-2026 academic year, reflecting our mission as a college.
Welcome Arts and Sciences Dean, Pamela Swett
“I am honored to join the University of Rhode Island community as the new Dean of the University of Rhode Island College of Arts and Sciences. I look forward to collaborating with the incredibly talented faculty, staff, and students to build the college’s reputation for putting knowledge into practice, celebrating cross-disciplinary education, and preparing students to become well-informed global citizens. Thank you to the search committee for their trust and support as we embark together on the college’s next chapter. Go Rhody!” – Pamela Swett, Dean
Celebrating Success
Thank you to our donors
The College of Arts and Sciences raised $3.8M thanks to the 772 donors in our community.
- $1.8M in scholarship support for Arts and Sciences students. This is a mix of current use and endowment.
- $190k in support of RhodyNow Arts and Sciences which supports student experiential learning as well as student success initiatives.
Notable Events
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.
New Fine Arts Center Opening
The College of Arts and Sciences is home to an active community of artists, designers, composers, performers, and scholars. Funded through state capital and University funds as well as a 2021 voter-approved bond issue, the new $99 million 3-story 71,000 sq.ft. building is designed to bring artists together and give them the physical space to inspire creativity. The fine arts, which include art, art history, 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.
Learn more about our arts programs
Astrophysics
This fall, the 63rd annual Honors Colloquium, titled “Interstellar Exploration, Journey Beyond Your Limits,” will provide a valuable opportunity for the URI community to engage in a thoughtful and informed dialogue that bridges cutting-edge science and the boundless imagination of science fiction. From black holes and distant exoplanets to the origins of the universe and the gravitational waves rippling through it, the cosmos teems with mysteries that inspire awe and demand investigation. Step beyond the safe and familiar horizon of our pale blue dot to explore what awaits when humanity is no longer content to simply look up, but is ready to venture out.
2026 uri honors colloquium
Film/Media B.F.A. Degree
Effective spring 2027, The Harrington School of Communication and Media will launch a new Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Film/Media, providing students with an immersive, professionally focused education in cinematic storytelling and media production. Rooted in collaboration and interdisciplinary learning, the program combines artistic practice with critical thinking, problem-solving, and emerging technologies, preparing graduates to thrive in the film industry and a wide range of creative fields. Through hands-on production experiences and partnerships across the University, the Department of Film/Media empowers the next generation of filmmakers and creative innovators to tell impactful stories and lead collaborative projects in an evolving media landscape.
The program is developed by Professor Nicholas Corsano and Department Chair Rebecca Romanow.
Learn more about the programOur Programs
Contact
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 2026-2027 academic year, please contact paige.monopoli@uri.edu