email : Webview : UM-Dearborn CASL e-newsletter: A View from the CASL, Spring 2026

Share this:

photo of dagmar budikova outside on the side of the CASL building

Greetings from Dean Budikova

Esteemed alumni, donors, and friends of CASL,

Welcome to this issue of our newsletter—and to the fresh start of the spring season! In these pages, you will find highlights from our latest stories, including internship features, spotlights on our students, and an overview of the newly established CASL Career Day. We hope you will read on to celebrate the accomplishments of our students and faculty.

Thank you, as well, for your generous financial support on Giving Blueday. Wishing you peace, warm weather, and joy during this new spring season,

Dagmar Budikova
Dean

CASL faculty, students and alumni are involved in a variety of classes, research, activities and philanthropy, and are making an impact locally, regionally and nationally.

Please enjoy the following highlights.

CASL continues to innovate! Introducing our newest program, Sustainability, the Economy, and Environmental Policy (StEEP) from our Department of Social Sciences. This bachelor's degree prepares students to tackle some of today’s biggest environmental challenges through the lenses of policy, economics, culture and social change. The interdisciplinary program is unique in Michigan and gives students the tools to influence both individual behavior and public policy while preparing for careers in areas like sustainability, urban planning, government, nonprofit work and environmental consulting.
A new interdisciplinary UM-Dearborn research project is exploring the connection between air quality and human well-being through the work of CASL faculty and students. Led in part by Professor of Economics Natalia Czap and Associate Professor of Economics Hans Czap, the study asked more than 120 participants to wear portable air quality sensors and track their happiness levels over three weeks. Early findings suggest lower air quality may be linked to lower happiness, highlighting the power of interdisciplinary research to address real-world challenges
Good News! CASL’s master’s program in Criminology and Criminal Justice is among the first featured in the new Michigan Online Campus Hub, helping connect learners around the world with opportunities at University of Michigan-Dearborn. This partnership with the Center for Academic Innovation expands the reach of our programs and helps learners explore pathways from online learning to earning a degree. Special recognition goes to Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Studies Maya Barak for her work ensuring this opportunity reflects the quality, relevance and real-world impact of our criminal justice programming.
Congratulations to several CASL faculty who were recognized in our campus-wide faculty awards.
- 2026 Collegiate Lectureship Award - Joseph Musial, Teaching Professor of Psychology
- 2026 Distinguished Academic Citizenship Award - Ivy Forsythe-Brown, Associate Professor of Sociology
- 2026 Distinguished Research Award - Zhi (Elena) Zhang, Associate Professor of Neurobiology
- 2026 Distinguished Teaching Award - Anne Danielson-Francois, Associate Professor of Biology
- 2026 Distinguished Teaching Award - Adam Sekuler, Assistant Professor of Journalism and Media Production
- 2026 Distinguished Research Team Award - Carmel Price, Associate Professor of Sociology (part of the Human Factors Faculty Group Team)
Big news from our Natural Sciences Department! The Biochemistry program has earned a seven-year accreditation from the American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, a national recognition of excellence in undergraduate science education. This distinction reflects our rigorous curriculum, hands-on laboratory training, and commitment to preparing students for careers in research, health, and industry.
Experiential learning in CASL Honors courses gives students the chance to see history beyond the classroom and connect with it in meaningful ways. Students in Professor Liz Rohan’s Four Trials course recently visited the historic Ossian Sweet House, where they explored a landmark civil rights story and reflected on how past legal battles around racial injustice continue to shape society today.

We appreciate your support during this year's Giving Blueday! CASL highlighted five top funds that support our students toward graduation, s tudy abroad experiences, uplifting the SOAR program, practice-based learning initiatives, and important faculty-led research, along with shining a light on one of our student organizations, the Criminology and Criminal Justice Collective who are dedicated to learning, service, and social engagement.
A big thank you for your continued support as we continue with our Look to Michigan campaign. See our top campaign and fundraising priorities and how your support impacts our entire CASL community.
Commencement Volunteers Needed! Interested in helping welcome the newest Dearborn Wolverines during UM-Dearborn's Spring 2026 Commencement? Alumni volunteers are needed to assist with pin distribution during the graduation ceremonies on Saturday, May 2. Fill out the form.

Real-world Experience Beyond the Classroom: Congratulations to our Model Arab League student delegation team on an impressive showing at the recent conference in Grand Rapids. Behind every successful Model Arab League competition is months of preparation, research and practice. Students dedicate significant time to learning about international policy, current events and diplomacy while sharpening their public speaking, negotiation and leadership skills through mock sessions and team collaboration.

student stand with their faculty leader around a podium at GVSU smiling and holding up certificates

students sit at a conference table in discussion with computers, laptops and paper signs around them noting the delegation countries they are serving

The Impact of Internships: Sami Al-Faqee, a J ournalism and Media Production (JuMP) major has been interning at Ask the Messengers, a Detroit-based television program that shares real stories about recovery, addiction, mental health and community support, with the goal of educating, informing and empowering viewers. Sami says, "Interning at Ask the Messengers has been a wonderful experience. I have gotten to use so much of what I've worked on as a JuMP major, while starting to learn what can only be learned in the field. This has been a great experience for me especially considering the weight of the work done by Ask the Messengers, the advocacy and deeply interpersonal content I've had the pleasure of working on remind me of the beauty and importance of Journalism."

a black and white photo of a person holding a directors card in front of a camera

Research Across the Globe Providing Perspective to Students: A recent trip to Rwanda gave UM-Dearborn faculty and students the opportunity to learn about forgiveness, reconciliation and national healing following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi people. Professors Paul Draus and Anna Müller traveled with student Tamir Bell to explore how communities rebuild after tragedy, while also laying the groundwork for a new Study Abroad program in Rwanda planned for 2027

Paul Draus, Anna Muller, and Student Tamir Bell stand in front of a mountainous backdrop in Africa

Alumni Information

Several CASL alumni sit in a panel in front of seats and an audience, talking

Introducing CASL Career Day!

For the first time, the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters hosted its own Career Day, creating an exciting new tradition focused on preparing students for life after graduation. Held alongside the campus-wide Career Fair, the event transformed the RUC into a space where students could hear directly from faculty, alumni, career experts and fellow students about the many pathways available to them after college.

Led by Nitya Sethuraman, chair of the Behavioral Sciences department, along with Patti Martin and Liz Clark from the CASL Internship Office, and colleagues across the college, CASL Career Day featured dynamic panels, practical advice and meaningful conversations about careers across the liberal arts and sciences. Faculty members, alumni and senior students shared their experiences, while the staff from internships and Career Services helped students better understand how to connect their academic interests to real-world opportunities.

Panels included:

Getting involved in faculty research
Applying to law or graduate school
An overview of CASL's certificates and minors which can help students add to their professional portfolio, along with our 4+1 programs which help students earn a bachelor's and master's degree in just 5 years
Career options and internships
Alumni panel
Senior student panel

The response was tremendous, with several CASL students attending Career Day sessions, while attendance at the larger campus Career Fair jumped significantly from the previous year. Together, the two events highlighted CASL’s growing commitment to career readiness and experiential learning.

Career preparation is increasingly important to our students, who are seeking not only a degree, but also the confidence, connections and practical skills needed to thrive after graduation. Through events like Career Day, CASL is helping students translate strengths like communication, critical thinking and adaptability into meaningful careers and lifelong success.