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Dear Colleagues,

Happy Fall Break! Thank you all for journeying with me through the first half of the semester with thoughtful reflection on our collective purpose and impact. 

I see two prominent themes coming to the surface in our conversations: 

The first theme is that as a college of humanities and social sciences, we have an undeniable and indelible economic impact on our students, their families, and the community at large. This impact emerges through a focus on the investigation, appreciation, and enriching of the ethnosphere of our local and global communities. Wade Davis¹ coined the term ethnosphere to refer to the set of ideas, thoughts, beliefs, myths, and imaginations of societies. He characterizes it as “humanity’s greatest legacy. It is the product of our dreams, the embodiment of our hopes, the symbol of all that we are and all that we have created as a wildly inquisitive and astonishingly adaptive species.”

A second, emerging theme is the deep interdependence between scientific and technological progress and the socio-cultural and political narratives and structures that shape our world. They are a tightly intertwined ecosystem supporting and enabling each other. 

On the one hand, the most visible and most dramatic changes in the world are the direct result of new science and technology. To quote Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson in their book Abundance, “If the world has changed, it’s because we have changed the world [through science and technology].” These changes are then reflected directly in our social structures, our politics, our psyche, and our vision of the world.

Photo from https://spectrum.ieee.org/vannevar-bush

As semi-autonomous technologies and intelligent systems emerge and expand, and our post-war technological innovation infrastructure ages and faces growing challenges, we must move to a much more proactive stand. A robust, collaborative ecosystem is essential to meet the demands of this moment. The voice, guidance, and partnership of the humanities and social sciences needs to be present at every drawing table, for every consequential decision. What does this mean for our curricula, scholarship, and engagement? These are momentous and exciting questions for us to ponder. I look forward to continuing these conversations with you as we shape the future of our college together.

Have a great week!

Fatma

[1] Wade Davis Light at the Edge of the World, 2001

[2] Vannevar Bush, Science, The Endless Frontier: A Report to The President 1945

CHSS News

Upcoming Events

A Reverse Time Capsule: What Unpacking Youth Futures Tells Us About Our Present

Dr. Stephen Ruszczyk will offer a framework for how youth craft futures that integrate climate change with other considerations-and discuss implications for how these futures shape our present.

Date & Time: Monday, October 27, 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Location: Calcia Hall, Room 140

AI Distinguished Speaker Series

Join Tina Eliassi-Rad, professor of Computer Science at Northeastern University, for “The Truth of the Matter in the Age of Generative AI,” a conversation on how tools like ChatGPT and Gemini are transforming truth, trust, and accountability in our algorithmically infused society—and why a digitally savvy public is key to shaping their impact.

Date & Time: Wednesday, November 5, 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Location: Presentation Hall, College of Communication and Media

2025 Italian American Studies Association Conference

Intersecting Transitalia in Communities: Nation(s), Transnation(s), Neighborhood(s)

2026 marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In recognition of this upcoming national milestone, President Koppell will be presenting a series of free lectures and discussions covering topics including civics and governance, the role of higher education in our democracy and contemporary challenges to the American Experiment.

Date & Time: Thursday, November 6 - Sunday, November 9, 2025

Location: University Hall Conference Center

The Future of Work: A Roadmap for Higher Education and Career Success

This exclusive session bridges federal policy and cutting-edge data to strengthen the education-to-workforce pipeline. Hear directly from the Secretary for Higher Education, Dr. Brian Bridges and the Department of Labor Data Analyst, John Ehret, on the latest statistical evidence guiding national workforce policy and on how federal and state education initiatives are being shaped by employment needs.

This event is presented by The Office for Experiential Education and Career Connections

Date & Time: Wednesday, November 12, 10 a.m.

Location: University Hall Conference Center



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CHSS Resource Guide

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Apply to Join The PROPEL Project

As part of Montclair’s commitment to managerial professional growth and development, the University is excited to announce that applications are open for The PROPEL Project. The program focuses on funding active participation in professional conferences, complemented by coaching support to help employees maximize their conference experiences for career and professional growth. Please visit The PROPEL Project website.

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