Welcome to the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities at North Carolina Central University! I’m truly honored to serve as dean of such a robust and dynamic college at NCCU — my alma mater. As an Eagle, I’m deeply committed to the Eagle Promise — to foster a one-of-a-kind environment that leads to academic success and empowers you to champion your future.
The College sits at the core of the University’s mission to prepare students to become global leaders and practitioners who transform communities. With 14 undergraduate and 7 graduate degree programs in the areas of art and design, behavioral and social sciences, criminal justice, history, language and literature, mass communication, music, political science, psychology, public administration, social work and theatre and dance, the College is the largest on campus, with over 2,600 students, and also includes both the Army ROTC and Airforce ROTC. As the University’s most diverse college, we touch every undergraduate on campus as they take required courses in language, literature and history, among others. Each department boasts award-winning and high-profile faculty who form lifelong mentorships with students and wonderfully devoted staff who provide valuable support and ensure success.
You will find that we not only have a large number of students, but that we also have a track record of success in intellectual development and personal growth. For example, the Department of History has a long-established reputation for distinguished scholarship and is ranked number one among Historically Black Colleges and Universities for sending the most graduates to earn Ph.D. degrees in History — over 100 so far. Our music department is home to the acclaimed NCCU Jazz Ensemble that recently placed #1 in the Jack Rudin Jazz Championship in New York, NY — the only HBCU represented. And our psychology department ranked as the #1 program on Best College’s 2024 list. As you explore our website, you’ll find so much more about our programs, curricula and course offerings.
At the heart of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities is our faculty: exceptional researchers, scholars, teachers and artists. Faculty members have won research grants, fellowships and awards from such organizations as the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Their research contributes new ideas and approaches to issues ranging from civic engagement and public service to arts education and digital history. Their articles, books, performances and exhibitions place them at the forefront of their fields throughout the United States and abroad.
As Eagles, we take considerable pride in our history and in the many successful graduates of our College. I invite you to join us. On behalf of the faculty, staff, students and alumni of our programs, welcome to the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities!
Yours in service,
Arwin D. Smallwood, Ph.D.
Dean