Can teamwork make *your* dream work? MTSU‘s College of Liberal Arts and College of Basic and Applied Sciences have an enthusiastic answer — YES — and a way to find your winning combination: the inaugural Arts and Sciences Majors Showcase, set Tuesday, Sept. 25.

Prospective and current students are welcome at the free showcase, set from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 25, in the university’s Science Building Atrium, where they can learn the myriad ways that MTSU’s science and liberal arts colleges can help craft an education that combines their creative skills with their scholastic passions.

Dr. Bud Fischer

No registration is required for the showcase, which is part of the MT Engage program for student academic engagement.

A campus map is available at http://tinuyurl.com/MTSUParking.

“It’s the perfect opportunity for our students in basic and applied sciences and liberal arts to see how to meld programs together to build skills and knowledge best to prepare you for whatever endeavors are in store for you,” said Dr. Robert “Bud” Fischer, dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences.

Organizers say that integrating majors and minors in liberal arts and science disciplines can give students a competitive edge in the job market by combining the “hard” and “soft” skills careers increasingly require. For example, students can use the ability to analyze and design automation and robotics systems in MTSU’s Mechatronics Engineering Program alongside the writing and public speaking skills from MTSU’s Communication Studies Program to share important developments in the field with a non-industry audience.

Dr. Lucy Langworthy

“Employers seek liberal arts students for their ability to work in diverse environments, craft persuasive and logical arguments, work with NGOs and nonprofits, engage coworkers in creative collaboration, and conduct qualitative and quantitative research,” said Dr. Lucy Langworthy, who serves as assistant to the dean for the College of Liberal Arts. “Another skill employers often seek is empathy.”

Langworthy, formerly a longtime academic adviser recognized by the National Academic Advising Association for her leadership, added that she attended a webinar last year with George Anders, senior editor at large for LinkedIn, where he noted that the world’s “job market is quietly creating thousands of openings a week for people who can bring a humanist’s grace to our rapidly evolving high-tech future.”

Liberal Arts Dean Karen Petersen said faculty from each department in the two colleges will be on hand Sept. 25 to answer questions about educational experiences and career opportunities associated with their disciplines.

Dr. Karen Petersen

“Students will be able to compare the different programs they are considering and explore interests and future goals,” Petersen said. “Academic advisers and students will also be present to answer specific questions about choosing a program, accessing general program curricula and finding resources at MTSU.”

The student representatives also can share their experiences with study-abroad classes, research and internships, and advisers will be able to help with declaring a major or minor, among many important decisions.

MTSU student ensembles will provide music for the showcase event. Demonstrations also are planned for the latest technologies in 3D printing, digital illustration and experimental vehicles.

For more information, contact Langworthy at lucy.langworthy@mtsu.edu.

— Gina E. Fann (gina.fann@mtsu.edu)