The CIC Kicks Off Campaign to Showcase Liberal Arts Value

We’re always on the lookout for new and intelligent perspectives in higher ed, so we were pretty excited when we came across an awesome new national initiative to promote the value of a liberal arts education.

The Council of Independent Colleges – an association of more than 630 independent liberal arts colleges and universities and 70 higher education affiliates and organizations – recently launched the campaign as a way to help communicate some of the many fantastic benefits of a liberal arts degree.

If you’re looking for ways to promote the liberal arts on your institution’s campus or beyond, the campaign’s homepage offers an impressive abundance resources about the liberal arts. On top of in-depth data and research, the CIC also connects you with relevant infographics, blogs and multimedia to really drive home just how valuable a liberal arts education can be for a student today.

A Liberal Arts Education is More Valuable Than Ever

As a higher ed marketing agency, we’ve seen firsthand just how powerful a liberal arts degree can truly be through the eyes of our clients — and we’re not the only ones. In fact, business owners across the country including VisionPoint’s CEO repeatedly search for the types of skills a liberal arts degree can impart on future employees.

Just like they would in a vocational program, liberal arts students gain industry-specific skills they need to be successful. But a liberal arts education also goes beyond that by enabling students to:

1. Think critically when there’s no pat answer.
2. Communicate complex ideas effectively.
3. Develop compelling verbal and written arguments.
4. View the world from a global perspective.
5. Learn efficiently and effectively.

When change inevitably comes to an industry, it’s these skills that will empower students to succeed in their work and become competent, capable leaders in the workplace.

The Vocational vs. Liberal Arts Debate

With all of that said, a liberal arts degree isn’t the end-all-be-all solution for all students when it comes to education. A vocation-specific education can offer just as much value as a curriculum based on the liberal arts. Ultimately, which model is best for a student must be determined based on a student’s unique personal and professional goals.

In recent years, the debate over which type of education is better has only grown louder in intensity. But if you’re new to the conversation, or you’re looking to hear a fresh summary of it’s all about, take a listen to KCRW’s recent “To the Point” podcast the next time you hop in your car for your morning commute (look for the segment titled “The Soaring Costs of College Tuition”).

What’s Your Take?

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the value of both types of education. If you’ve faced the challenge of how to market the value of your institution, or you’d simply like to learn more about our approach, we’d love to hear from you. Shoot us an email, or give us a ring today.