Fine Arts & Communications Division

Announcements

Fine Arts and Communication Academic Departments

Visit our academic department websites listed below for course catalog, degree and certificate, and class schedule information.

Message from Ron Herman, Division Dean

Welcome to the Fine Arts and Communication Division.

As Dean, I’m honored to lead a dynamic community of diverse and passionate individuals who believe in the transformative power of creativity and expression to shape our world. In our division, the arts are not extracurricular or peripheral—they are essential. Through a wide range of media, performance, and dialogue, we reflect the human experience and imagine new possibilities for our society.

Whether you are pursuing a career in the arts, preparing to transfer to a four-year institution, or exploring your creative voice, you’ll find inspiration, opportunity, and a strong sense of belonging here.

With access to exceptional resources, including art and design studios, professional photography labs, media production suites, state-of-the-art music technology recording studios, and renowned performance venues like the Smithwick and Lohman Theaters, our students create, collaborate, and thrive in environments that reflect the creative industries they aspire to join.

Our award-winning faculty are not only accomplished artists and scholars—they are dedicated educators who foster inclusive, collaborative learning environments that celebrate innovation and critical thinking.

We invite you to engage fully, take creative risks, and contribute to a vibrant culture where the arts and communication serve as powerful tools for connection, expression, and positive change.

Warmly, 
Ron Herman, MFA
Dean of Fine Arts & Communication

Our Facilities

Our division’s Linguistic Justice Lab is the embodiment of our values. In this space, you’ll find a range of activities and events that honor linguistic diversity and student voice, expression, and engagement in the language(s) of your choosing. Visit our Linguistic Justice Lab webpage for more information about the activities and events in this space.

Key Collaborations

The faculty in the Language Arts & Ethnic Studies Division actively participate and collaborate in a number of programs, projects, and events across the campus! You’ll find them working in/with:

Skills for Any Academic Major and Professional Field You Choose

The learning that happens in all of our programs – whether ESL, foreign languages, Ethnic Studies, or English – will give you valuable skills for any academic major and professional field you choose. Through critical reading and writing about society and the human condition, you’ll learn how

• to ask questions and actively listen;
• to recognize complex contexts and problems;
• to build awareness and empathy for diverse perspectives; and
• to evaluate solutions to make the world a better a better place.

I invite you to explore our program webpages and other links on this page. And don’t hesitate to reach out to me if I can be of any assistance.

Valerie Fong
Dean, Language Arts and Ethnic Studies

Contact Us

Call, email or stop by our division office with any questions you may have.