We are a liberal arts college in a top-ranked research university, located in the heart of the Twin Cities business and non-profit communities, driven by a purpose to do the most good we can for others. The 10 Core Competencies students develop in CLA prepare them to thrive in their career and in life, even during uncertain and dynamic times. CLA is a national leader in career readiness for liberal arts students. --- The College of Liberal Arts is committed to intellectual freedom, the pursuit of new knowledge, and the belief that the liberal arts are the foundation of academic learning. CLA prepares students to be independent and original thinkers, to be innovators in their chosen fields, to create meaning in their lives and in their life’s work, and to become productive citizens and leaders in their communities and the world. Established in 1868, the College of Liberal Arts supports the University of Minnesota's land-grant mission as home to disciplines in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. With 31 departments on the Minneapolis campus, it is the largest college in the University of Minnesota system.