Making a difference through

The Engaged Liberal Arts.

Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

Alumni Spotlight

Jake Sherman

Journalist is Eyewitness to Congress

Veteran reporter Jake Sherman, BA ’08, has covered Capitol Hill scoops from budget battles to the recent riot. Now he is breaking news with the start-up Punchbowl News.

Learning & Discovery

Children from Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, during the International Bridge Ceremony wearing traditional dress

A Cross-Cultural Washington’s Birthday

American Studies’ Elaine Peña returned to her Texas home to investigate why two towns along the U.S.-Mexico border have held a Washington's birthday party for 100 years.

Making an Impact

Antwan Jones

COVID's Hidden Toll on Health and Housing

Sociology’s Antwan Jones is shining a spotlight on the pandemic’s overlooked impact on people’s lives, from psychological health to housing inequalities.

COVID-19 Resources and Updates

During the pandemic, Columbian College is making every effort to ensure the wellbeing of our students, faculty and staff. Stay informed about the latest updates and resources.
 

 

Visit the COVID-19 Information Page

 

 

Celebrating Our Bicentennial!

GW Bicentennial 1821-2021

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the founding of GW and the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. Learn how we are celebrating this historic milestone.

Historical photo of the College Hill building in Columbia Heights

From our first building on "College Hill" to an internationally recognized research center, browse our timeline of Columbian College highlights since 1821.

200 Years and Counting: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences seal

Read about our remarkable history of learning, research and discovery, the landmark achievements of our alumni and our vision for the future.

 

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Discover Columbian College

  • Alexandria Cannon, BA '20 History a young black woman with curly hair in a black shirt

    Alexandria Cannon

    “Most history classes, you are in a discussion room talking about it, but with George Washington and his World, we get to take the class on his estate and relive through what he did.”

    Alexandria Cannon 
    BA '20
    History

  • George Sangiolo BS '18 a young man wearing a gray t-shirt

    George Sangiolo

    "The student body comes from very different backgrounds , and you can always find someone studying something you know nothing about.“

    George Sangiolo 
    BS '18
    Biophysics

  • Sarah Wagner, Associate Professor of Anthropology, a women with shoulder length hair wearing a tan jacket

    Sarah Wagner

    "As anthropologists, we go into communities and spend time trying to understand lived experiences. We tell people's stories. And we have an obligation to do it right"

    Sarah Wagner
    Associate Professor of Anthropology

  • Zachary Brown PhD 2027 a white man wearing a black t-shirt

    Zachary Brown

    "I chose GW because of the amazing faculty members in the department. I chose American Studies because of the relative amount of freedom the discipline provides in research."

    Zachary Brown
    PhD '27
    American Studies 

  • Debbie Wheeler, MS '84, a blonde women in a white button down shirt with a black sweater

    Debbie Wheeler

    "That degree has helped me in my entire career and I am still working with the same people I went to college with many years ago. I recommend this college to anyone"

    Debbie Wheeler
    MS '84
    Telecommunications Operations

 

58 majors, 66 minors | 15 graduate certificates, 49 master's degrees, 24 doctoral degrees

 

534 full-time faculty. 5,100 undergraduate students. 2,800 graduate students

 

80,250 Columbian College alumni living in all 50 states and 120+ countries

 

 

 

 

GW CCAS students inside a lecture hall