Over the years, many University of Michigan-Dearborn students have turned their tassel and officially been welcomed to the Michigan Alumni Family. However, while many become alums in title, there are those who choose to make the title work for them as they give back to their alma mater.
In this month’s alumni blog post, we meet Theresa
Sommerville, a 2016 CASL graduate who studied Psychology and Women's and Gender
Studies and minored in Communication. She works as a supervisor at a Social
Services Agency, and remains connected with the University by serving as the
Chair for the African American Alumni Affiliate.
CASL:
Why do you value the education you received as a CASL student?
Theresa
Sommerville: Being a CASL student was the best decision for me. In a
world where STEM is taking over, Liberal Arts degrees are often forgotten or
not sought after. Being in CASL, I learned valuable skills in writing, reading,
communication, project management, organization and critical thinking. These
are skills that everyone needs, regardless of your degree path. I also learned
business strategies, analytical statistics, and other key skills that others
forget can be learned with a CASL degree.
CASL: Why do you believe the liberal arts and
humanities are valuable?
TS: Liberal
arts and humanities are valuable because we are growing into a more social
world. Top executives in STEM have to meet with people just like the top
business professional. We learn valuable skills in the liberal arts and humanities
that easily become a part of our everyday work and social lives. That's what
liberal arts and humanities gives us -- the tools to make it happen in the social
workplace.
Interview Compiled by Leah
Olajide