From Soil to Sound: How Faculty and Students in the College of Arts and Sciences Are Reimagining Scholarship Through Real-World Inquiry

The USD College of Arts and Sciences released its third annual Arts & Sciences magazine this fall. In the pages of this magazine, you will explore the impact of the liberal arts, discover current faculty research, and be inspired by student, faculty and alumni spotlights.

From Soil to Sound:
How Faculty and Students in the College of Arts and Sciences Are Reimagining Scholarship Through Real-World Inquiry

by Julene Snyder

Dean Noelle Norton sees research as one of the key elements that binds the College of Arts and Sciences together. “We provide a very robust undergraduate research model,” she says. “Students can work in a laboratory, or work on doing archival research or data collection and develop a variety of research skills while being mentored by faculty.” 

Norton sees research as essential to a liberal arts education. “We have a lot of first-year students who sign up to do undergraduate research, which we encourage beyond the sciences and the social sciences, where you'd more naturally see it. We want students to be engaged in humanities research.”

“Every time a faculty member applies for a grant, they always include asking for support for undergraduate research,” Norton explains. We know that the faculty/student connection is one of the key indicators for student retention, and our emphasis on undergraduate research helps students to know they’re welcome and that they belong at USD.”

Read the full article on page 26 of Arts & Sciences magazine (Fall 2025 issue).