School of Liberal Arts News

Follow the ideas, people, and partnerships transforming our campus, our city, and our world.
On Campus

Where ideas are explored, challenged, and put into motion.

Tulane SLA faculty Ko Bragg, Georgi Gardiner, Scott Nolan, Jenny Mercein and Marcus Coleman Five Questions Worth Asking Now

Questions today's students should already be asking as they look toward the next decade.

Alexis Culotta, Karisma Price, Kyle DeCoste, Allison Grossman and Ilana Horwitz share their thoughts Tulane Today Q&As

Tulane Today talks with School of Liberal Arts faculty about their work, research, and expertise.

Tulane faculty members Marcus Coleman, Aron Culotta and Michael Hoerger have been selected to serve Taylor Center names three Social Entrepreneurship Professors

The Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking selects Marcus Coleman, Aron Culotta and Michael Hoerger as Social Entrepreneurship Profs

Tulane School of Liberal Arts Newsletter. Commencement 2026 School of Liberal Arts August 2026 Newsletter

Tulane School of Liberal Arts Newsletter, August 2026.

Alison Brod (blonde woman) in a green dress sits crossed-legged on a tan sofa Newcomb Hall’s Next Chapter

Alumni investments are helping transform Newcomb Hall into a renewed home for the School of Liberal Arts.

headshots of 3 academic faculty in professional attire How One Thing Builds on Another: 3 Deans in Conversation

Three deans reflect on 20 years of the School of Liberal Arts, the decisions that shaped it, and why its future may be its most important chapter.

Speaker on stage addresses diverse group of students; woman with mic facilitates. Tulane School of Liberal Arts Class of 2030: For Those Who Refuse to Be One Thing

Tulane School of Liberal Arts welcomes the Class of 2030 with its Dean’s Welcome Assembly and Academic Open House featuring faculty and programs.

Libby Connolly Alexander will begin her term as chair of the Board of Tulane July 1, 2027. Distinguished business leader, devoted alumna Libby Connolly Alexander named chair-elect of Board of Tulane

Libby Connolly Alexander, a Tulane graduate, distinguished business leader, philanthropist and longtime supporter, has been named chair of the Board of Tulane

Dean Brian Edwards addresses new graduates and their families on May 15, 2026 at the School of Liber Commencement 2026 - Dean Brian Edwards

Dean Brian Edwards addresses new graduates and their families on May 15, 2026 at the School of Liberal Arts Commencement Ceremony.

Photograph: Smiling graduates in blue and black regalia, one with umbrella, with a brass band. Ali Vitali Named 2026 Distinguished Tulane School of Liberal Arts Alumni

Ali Vitali receives the School of Liberal Distinguished Alumni Award and deliver the ceremony’s keynote address.

2026 Undergraduate Diploma Ceremony Student Musicians for the School of Liberal Arts at Tulane Unive Tulane School of Liberal Arts Class of 2026 Diploma Ceremony Features Student Poet Kathryn Evans and Musicians

2026 Undergraduate Diploma Ceremony Class Poet and Student Musicians for the School of Liberal Arts at Tulane University

Frame from the SLA 2026 commencement video 2026 Newcomb-Tulane College Senior Awards Ceremony

The 2026 Newcomb-Tulane College Senior Awards Ceremony recognized graduating seniors whose achievements reflect excellence across the university community.

Tulane 34 Award recognizes graduating seniors who have distinguished themselves through exceptional 2026 School of Liberal Arts Tulane 34 Award Winners

The Tulane 34 Award recognizes graduating seniors who have shown exceptional leadership, service, and contributions to the Tulane community.

Tulane School of Liberal Arts Newsletter. Commencement 2026 School of Liberal Arts May 2026 Newsletter

Tulane School of Liberal Arts Newsletter, May 2026.

Dark green Phi Beta Kappa Society pamphlets with logo and text. 2026 New School of Liberal Arts Members of Tulane’s Phi Beta Kappa Chapter

Tulane School of Liberal Arts inductees into Phi Beta Kappa in 2026

Julie Greenwald, Tulane University Influential music executive Julie Greenwald to receive honorary degree at Unified Commencement

SLA alum Julie Greenwald receives honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the Tulane University 2026 Unified Commencement.

Professor Barbara Hayley Celebrating the Legacy of Barbara Hayley: 40 Years of Dance, Leadership, and Community at Tulane

Tulane School of Liberal Arts celebrates the legacy of Barbara Hayley's 40 Years of Dance, Leadership, and Community at Tulane

Laura Waringer Little Women's Full-Circle Moment

Tulane’s Lupin Theatre presents Little Women: The Musical with Dr. Laura Waringer, who found herself returning to a work that helped shape her artistic life.

Dylan Parrilla-Koester Tulane Announces New Director of Bands to Carry the Torch

Dylan Parrilla-Koester appointment to Tulane University Director of Bands, a role that touches nearly every corner of the university.

Newcomb Department of Music faculty and family honor vocalist, educator, and trailblazer Leah Chase- Newcomb Music Department Honors Leah Chase-Kamata at Retirement Celebration

Newcomb Department of Music at Tulane University hosted a retirement celebration honoring vocalist, educator, and trailblazer Leah Chase-Kamata.

1 of 5
Previous Pause Next
In the Community

Where learning meets New Orleans.

Volunteers at the Language and Culture Youth Camp on the reservation of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of L Linguistics professor and students awaken sleeping language in summer service-learning course

Students from Tulane School of Liberal Arts Tunica language course are working with Tunica tribe members to pass on language and culture to the next generation.

Tulane students gained hands-on experience conducting research for local government in Professor Bri Tulane students conduct real-world research for New Orleans policymakers

Tulane students gained hands-on experience conducting research for local government in Professor Brian Brox's Policy-Making Research Shop class this summer.

Gary Hoover discusses global energy governance with Frédéric G. Sourgens. Photo by Kenny Lass Beyond technology: Tulane policy expert on how human decisions shape energy’s future

Tulane economist Gary “Hoov” Hoover explains how public policy, markets, and community decisions—not technology alone—will determine the future of energy.

High school students learn how chemical engineering principles influence everything. photo Kenny Las Tulane Pre-College program gives students a head start on the future

On many summer afternoons at Tulane University, high school students can be found exploring fields ranging from engineering and medicine to the arts.

Group of young artists collaborating on a project with green forms on paper in an art studio. Interdisciplinary course explores leadership through art, classics and community

In a prep session with KIDsmART, Tulane students enrolled in The Artful Leader course built a representation of Bayou Road for young artists to decorate.

Doug Harris, photo Kenny Lass The measure of America at 250: Q&A with the Tulane economist hoping data can help Americans find common ground

Tulane economics professor Douglas Harris likes to call the United States a “laboratory for democracy.” How is America doing?

State of the States graphic New bipartisan report finds that Americans share the same struggles despite deep political divides

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, a major new bipartisan report aims to get consensus on how we are really doing as a country.

Jacquelyne Thoni Howard, Tulane University Student-led program uses data to help community groups address challenges

A program in the Connolly Alexander Institute for Data Science (CAIDS) is providing students with real-world experience in an increasingly impactful field.

Dhehir Kelly and Aditi Morumganti are the 2026 recipients of the Jim Runsdorf Excellence in Public S 2026 Runsdorf Award winners pursue service through civic engagement

Dhehir Kelly and Aditi Morumganti are the 2026 recipients of the Jim Runsdorf Excellence in Public Service Student Award.

Catarina Vazquez, Tulane University Anthropology graduate seeks to understand others through research and service work

Catarina Vazquez discusses her experience at Tulane highlighting how community work and volunteering informed her education.

Panel discussion with speakers at a table addressing an audience in a bright conference room. La Nuit des Idées: The Enlightenment, Left Unfinished

Tulane hosts La Nuit des Idées, featuring student-led discussions on the Enlightenment’s legacy, contradictions, and relevance to contemporary global issues.

Tulane School of Liberal Arts Students Showcase Purpose with Possibility Students Showcase Purpose with Possibility - Spring 2026

End-of-semester roundup highlighting student achievements, research, awards, events, and academic experiences across Tulane’s School of Liberal Arts.

Film Fest Group The Tulane Film Festival: Showcasing Talent While Cultivating It

Tulane Film Festival highlights student filmmakers, showcasing original work while fostering creativity, collaboration, and hands-on film production experience.

Gabi Janis, Tulane University Tulane’s Phi Alpha Theta Makes History

Tulane’s Phi Alpha Theta chapter presented research at a regional conference, engaging with scholars and professionals across diverse historical topics.

logos for Summer Lyric Theatre & New Orleans Shakespeare Festival Classics and Showstoppers Take the Stage at Tulane this Summer

Tulane University’s New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane and Summer Lyric Theatre at Tulane announce their Summer Lineup.

Trics 2026 at Tulane University Tulane School of Liberal Arts 2026 TRICS Participants

Tulane School of Liberal Arts Participants at the Tulane Research, Innovation, and Creativity Summit (TRICS), Tulane’s showcase for research and innovation.

Diverse group of adults and children on a wooden deck beside a white building and a waterway. In Summer, In Community

Anthropology students will travel to the small binational island of St. Martin for a rigorous, immersive experience with an opportunity for meaningful community

U.S. Sen. John Kennedy with Walter Isaacson at the New Orleans Book Festival. Photo by Kenny Lass During NOLA Book Fest at Tulane University, Sen. John Kennedy and Walter Isaacson explore disagreement without division

US Sen. John Kennedy sat down with Walter Isaacson at the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane to find common ground and discuss ways to make meaningful change.

The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University - Save the Date - March 12-15, 2026 The 2026 New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University

The 2026 New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University brings acclaimed authors, artists, and thought leaders to Tulane’s uptown campus.

George Saunders Get to Know George Saunders, This Year’s Visiting Author in the Carole Barnette Boudreaux '65 Great Writers Series

George Saunders (Liberation Day, Tenth of December, Lincoln in the Bardo) is the 2026 Carole Barnette Boudreaux ’65 Great Writers Series featured writer.

1 of 5
Previous Pause Next
Out in the World

Where knowledge, creativity, and purpose shape the future.

Emma Schubert, Tulane University Unexpected Opportunity for NTC Senior Paves New Pathways

Emma Schubert spent her summer as a research assistant to Elio Brancaforte of Tulane’s Comparative Literature department.

Allison Emmerson, Department of Classical Studies Tulane University The secrets of Pompeii are revealed again

Tulane University Anthropology Professor Allison Emmerson discusses Tulane's Pompeii I.14 Project

Doug Harris, photo Kenny Lass At least $719 million in ESA vouchers has flowed to 190 private schools as Arizona ranks near last in public school funding

Doug Harris, Economic professor, breaks down where Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account funds are being spent.

Tulane University School of Liberal Arts Faculty Professional Accolades: Honoring Excellence

Each semester, we celebrate the hard work and achievements of our community, whose passions and expertise demonstrate the far-reaching scope of the liberal arts

Image: Auld-Thomas et al., Antiquity (2024), CC BY 4.0 NASA Missed a Lost Maya City With 6,500 Structures Until a Student Found It Buried in Old LIDAR Data

Former Anthropology PhD candidate Luke Auld-Thomas unearthed a buried Mayan city with the help of Google.

Knud E. Berthelsen, Tulane University Don’t let fear drive the data center debate

Professor of Practice & Senior Advisor for AI Literacy Knud Berthelsen shares his thoughts on data centers, their effectiveness, and their water usage.

Gary Hoover, Tulane University Inflation is stuck above 2%. Can the Fed really do anything about it?

Economics Professor Gary “Hoov” Hoover spoke with Marketplace about what the federal government can do about the current inflation rate.

Sophie Slade smiles at camera in front of the Mona Lisa painting. The City of Lights as a Living Classroom

Over the course of June, a group of about 20 Tulane undergraduates participated in a study abroad program in the beautiful city of Paris, allowed the students

38 student athletes pose in front of a beautiful turquoise marina traveling throughout Greece for th A Journey Through Greece, One Lesson at a Time

Tulane's Sadie Shores was one of 38 student athletes who had the opportunity to study abroad while traveling throughout Greece for the Sociology of Sport

Jolene Pinder and Tulane Students Beyond Paradise: Leadership and Sustainability in The Bahamas Beyond Paradise: Leadership and Sustainability in The Bahamas

Jolene Pinder and Tulane Students study abroad course, “Beyond Paradise: Leadership and Sustainability in The Bahamas.”

represent Louisiana on an international stage at the 11th student at Student at Parlement Francophon From Louisiana to Cameroon: Finding a Global Community Through the French Language

Tulane's Emmeline Meyer represented Louisiana on an international stage at the 11th Parlement Francophone des Jeunes (PFJ) in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

TIERA’s Archaeology team cleaning and sorting the artifacts we recovered. (Clockwise from bottom lef Tulane’s TIERA Program: Research Rooted in Community

Tulane student Alexis Kail reflects on archaeology in Ecuador through TIERA, exploring ancient trade, conservation, collaboration, and local knowledge.

Tulane Faculty and Students Summer abroad around the world. 2026 Summer Spotlights

This summer, SLA students and faculty took their learning well beyond campus, with experiences spanning Greece, France, Ecuador, The Bahamas, and Cameroon.

Tulane University Professors and Writers Nathaniel Rich, Yuri Herrera and Joel Dinerstein What We’re Reading

SLA faculty have written must reads from stickball in Brooklyn in the 60s to the last “gringo president” of the United States and a new-era heist novel

Jesmyn Ward, Tulane University Jesmyn Ward, LeVar Burton Headline Skirball Series at Cleveland's Maltz Center

Two-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward opens Cleveland’s Skirball Writers Center Stage Sept. 14 with Booker Prize winner George Saunders.

Thomas Beller, Tulane University I’m the Guy Who Sat in Front of You at the Beach

English Professor Thomas Beller penned a guest essay for The New York Times called “I’m the Guy Who Sat in Front of You at the Beach.”

Ilana Horwitz, Tulane University Q&A: Ilana Horwitz on social networks, higher education and the National Academy of Education Fellowship

Ilana Horwitz, assistant professor of Jewish studies, has been named a 2026 National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellow.

Peter Kunze, Tulane University When life calls for sarcasm: memes about everyday situations

Communication Assistant Professor Peter Kunze explains why sarcasm and memes resonate online — and how context shapes the way we interpret humor.

Sebastian Galiani, Tulane University Currency Chaos in Argentina (Summer School)

Professor Sebastian Galiani, SLA’s new Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Economics, connected with NPR’s “Planet Money” team in Argentina for a deep dive

Patrick Button, Tulane University L.A. County weighs a grant fund to keep indie films from leaving

Economics Associate Professor Patrick Button weighs in on the effectiveness of film production incentives as L.A. County considers a new grant fund.

1 of 5
Previous Pause Next