Featured Stories

Dean Paul Wahlbeck and Professor Timothy Shenk seated on stage in chairs talking in front of a Columbian College of Arts & Sciences screen

The State of Our Democracy

In a video conversation with CCAS Dean Paul Wahlbeck, Assistant Professor of History Timothy Shenk discusses the impact of modern American politics on our democracy.

Coffee Nation cover on left, Michelle Craig McDonald on the right

Brewing History: Alumna Stirs Coffee’s Revolutionary Roots

In her new book, historian Michelle Craig McDonald, MA ’94, reveals coffee’s surprising place in America’s story of independence—and interdependence.

Close up of a stone tool sitting in a patch of sandy dirt

Tools of Change: Research Team Uncovers 300,000 Years of Technology Traditions

New research led by Anthropology’s David Braun reveals how early humans crafted stone tools during environmental upheaval.

Dean Paul Wahlbeck seated on a stage across from Kimberly Morgan, with a Columbian College logo behind them

The Politics of Immigration

In a video conversation with Dean Wahlbeck, Professor of Political Science & International Affairs Kimberly Morgan discusses the policies and politics driving the immigration issue.

First-year students Jocelyn Graham and Bradley Fowler traveled to D.C.’s Chinatown during an assignment for Professor Elizabeth Chacko’s Migrants in the City Dean’s Seminar.

Street Smarts: Geography Class Maps D.C.’s Immigrant Identity

In her Migrants in the City Dean’s Seminar, Geography’s Elizabeth Chacko turns the District into a classroom as students explore urban diversity.

Lien-Yung (Nyima) Kao

Math’s Kao Wins CAREER Award Honors

Mathematics Professor Lien-Yung (Nyima) Kao was recognized with NSF’s prestigious honor for his work combining ergodic theory and geometry.

Close up of a page in a book with a green highlighter highlighting the word "autism"

From Stigma to Science and Support: Anthropology’s Grinker Authors Autism Narrative

As a researcher, educator and father, Anthropology’s Roy Richard Grinker shares his personal and professional journey through autism’s changing landscape.

Lucia Kustra

DIG-ging Anthropology: Senior Bridges Labs, Leadership

Lucia Kustra studies primate cultures and leads the next generation of anthropologists as president of the DIG pre-professional fraternity.

fingerprint on blue

The Fine Print on Fingerprints

In classrooms and crime scenes, forensic sciences’ Heidi Eldridge relies on evidence over assumptions and encourages students to think for themselves.

A tennis ball on a blue tennis court

Game, Set, Science: How Physics Powers Tennis

From hardcourts to hard science, CCAS faculty and alumni explain why physics can perfect your play.