The College of Liberal and Fine Arts is the most academically diverse college at UTSA, with 10 departments and schools encompassing the arts, humanities and social sciences. The college offers over 30 degree programs to more than 4,600 students, including doctorates in anthropology and English, a nationally recognized M.F.A., and one of the nation’s largest undergraduate programs in medical humanities. Research and independent study opportunities, including the annual research conference, are plentiful in COLFA’s academics programs. Plus, the college is home to three research centers and institutes: the UTSA Center for Archaeological Research, the UTSA Mexico Center, and the UTSA Institute for Music Research; as well as an on-campus art gallery and a state-of-the-art photography studio.
Our students learn to think about themselves and their communities from a global perspective, to see the connectedness and to appreciate and celebrate the diversity of humanity. COLFA is a hub for creativity in arts, music, and cultural exploration, not just for the university but for the San Antonio community. In 2022, COLFA formed the UTSA Arts research unit, with a mission to promote the arts in San Antonio, South Texas and beyond. UTSA Arts connects the cultures of the world to our community through world-class programs, exhibits, and performances leveraging partnerships with other arts organizations in San Antonio, across Texas, and the nation.
In January of 2023, we opened the College of Liberal and Fine Arts Student Success Center which committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment to help students thrive both inside and outside of the classroom. Our goal is to engage and empower students to create their paths through mentorship, leadership, research, and career readiness program opportunities.
The Student Success Center’s signature programs include:
- COLFA Peer Mentoring which strengthens connections within the COLFA community and provides resources to support student's academic, professional, and personal success. Our mentors are also COLFA students, so they understand some of the challenges students may face on their journey at UTSA.
- Ananse Leadership is a 10-week program that provides students an opportunity for professional development and personal growth with critical thinking, effective communication, leadership styles, and conflict resolution.
The college serves a diverse group of students, many of whom are first-generation and non-traditional students; and our mission has been to prepare future generations of global thinkers and world-changers. All gifts made to the College of Liberal and Fine Arts on this Giving Day support student success in all 10 departments and schools. Our goal is to provide our students with scholarships, financial assistance, professional development opportunities, and additional resources that will help students succeed at UTSA and beyond.
