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Collaboration Leads to Success
Dear Alumni,
 As we near the end of the fall semester and I find myself reflecting on our outstanding CAS students, faculty and our engaging alumni, what leaps to mind is the synergy that is being created among the three groups; we are leveraging the success of our liberal arts students through you.
Our CAS Alumni Advisory Board met in September. These successful and engaged graduates join me in a commitment to help our students realize that a liberal arts degree arms them with the cognitive tools that are necessary to achieve professional success. As we ramp up our efforts to connect alumni directly with our students and provide career opportunities, CAS students will gain confidence that the working world values the skills they learn as undergraduates.
In challenging economic times, the value of a liberal arts education -- Miami’s hallmark -- has all too frequently been called into question. Earlier this fall, more than 600 motivated CAS students attended Miami’s Career Fair, eager to connect with professionals and learn about opportunities beyond graduation. Each of you, our CAS alumni, can play a vital role; helping our students to explore career opportunities and navigate the challenging postgraduation landscape. Through shared experiences, job search coaching, and network building, CAS alumni can offer insight into the myriad ways that a liberal arts degree prepared them for successful and rewarding careers and unseen challenges alike.
I encourage you to share the impact of your College of Arts and Science education on your life. Please drop me a note to tell me about your experience. I have so many talented students just waiting to hear your story.
With warm regards,
Phyllis Callahan, Ph.D.
Professor of Zoology and Dean
Alumni Contributions Inform Student Success
Consider sharing that story on your next campus visit.
Experiences to Put You on Your Path:
 In this video, Howard Hershey (1974) talks about how his experiences at Miami were instrumental in beginning his career path.
High Hopes for CAS Grads:
 In this profile, Lindsay Snyder (2010) talks about her Miami experiences and what it takes to succeed after graduation.
Donor gifts support programs that encourage student scholarly achievement.
Support Translates to Success:
 In this student profile, Rachel Skipper (2013) tells how important the Dean’s Scholar program was in enabling and promoting her research.
Distinguished Scholars and Educators
Ryan Barilleaux was awarded  the Paul Rejai Professor of Political Science. Dr. Barilleaux specializes in such topics as the American presidency, American government, political thinking and political careers.
Qingshun Quinn Li (Botany) was named  a 2011-2012 Distinguished Scholar. Dr. Li uses bioinformatics approaches and mathematical modeling in his work, which has important implications for basic research and applications in agriculture.
Hong Wang (Chemistry and Biochemistry)  received the 2011-2012 Distinguished Scholar Award for a junior faculty member. Recent publications highlight successful collaborations with the Center for Childhood Cancer at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
Student Spotlight
CAS students continue to take advantage of the many undergraduate research opportunities. See the Undergraduate research highlighted in publication press release.
Dirk Auman (junior junior biochemistry and engineering physics double major) and Christian Cerda-Smith (senior biochemistry and zoology double major) were selected as Beckman Scholars for 2012-2013, with both earning scholarships valued at $19,300.
Prashant Rajan, a senior biochemistry and zoology double major and molecular biology and neuroscience double minor, was awarded $10,000 from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.
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