Liberal Arts & Applied Studies
Liberal Arts and Applied Studies (LAAS) is an academic department whose research focus serves and informs the teaching of adult learners. We provide education to adult learners, undertake scholarship on teaching and learning related to professional development and lifelong learning, and conduct outreach on issues of societal importance.
Selected Research, Teaching, and Programs
- Beyond the Skills Gap: Preparing College Students for Life and Work
- Teaching 21st-Century Skills in College Courses Certificate
- The Odyssey Project
- Odyssey Beyond Bars
- Odyssey Junior
- Onward Odyssey
- The College Internship Study
- Tuesday Morning Booktalks
- University of the Air
- “Finding Fulfillment Through Language Learning”
- “New $3 Million Endowment Will Enable UW Odyssey Project to Continue to Combat Iniquities”
- “Specialized French Course Helps Epic Employees Thrive”
Our Team
Emily Auerbach
Professor of English; Executive Director of the UW Odyssey Project
Emily Azad
Program Manager, UW Odyssey Project
Nidia Bañuelos
Assistant Professor
Brian Benford
Success Coach, UW Odyssey Project
Erin Celello
Literacy Instructor; Director of Odyssey Beyond Wars, UW Odyssey Project
Christine Cina
Odyssey Navigator
Missy Clemens
Research Program Associate Director
Gwendolyn Coale
Odyssey Assistant Coordinator
Christina Demars
Program Coordinator, UW Odyssey Project
Karen Dreyfuss
Director, Odyssey Junior
Michael Exum
Success Coach – Odyssey Beyond Bars
Jennifer Fandel
Odyssey Beyond Bars Instructor & Tutor Coordinator
Michelle Galarowicz
Certified Professional Coach Program Specialist
Chariti Gent
Director of Professional Coach Education Department:
Sage Goellner
Associate professor of French and continuing education
Jamie Henke
Distinguished Teaching Professor
Matthew T. Hora
Associate Professor
Baron Kelly
Professor, Theatre and Drama; Affiliate Faculty, LAAS
Taylor Kirby
Assistant Program Manager for Odyssey Beyond Bars
Sarah Lensmire
Odyssey Assistant Program & Development Manager
Adam Mackay
PEI Site Coordinator
Bryn Martyna
PEI Operations Director
Peter Moreno
Director, Odyssey Beyond Bars
Kevin Mullen
Assistant Professor, DCS; Director of Adult Education, UW Odyssey Project
Jenny Pressman
Director of Development & Community Partnerships
Megan Reading
Program Director HIV Outreach Project
Rachel Ritacco
Odyssey Beyond Bars Program Coordinator
Ben Shannon
Literacy Instructor, UW Odyssey Project
Tina Smith
HIV Outreach Project Program Coordinator
Roberta Wang
Senior Administrative Program Specialist
Read LAAS Stories
Start the year by cleaning up your digital footprint
Learn some tips from our experts on how to assess and revive your online presence for professional purposes.
Higher education possible for undocumented students
Attending college in the U.S. as an adult student who is undocumented or a DACA recipient is complicated but not impossible. Here are some things to consider.
Finding your groove in college as an adult student
Returning to school as an adult student can be challenging. An educational counselor shares tips to help you through the process.
What adult learners should consider about online degrees
Online programs are expanding access for groups who’ve been left out of university spaces. See what adult learners should consider about online degrees.
Celebrating and supporting student parents in higher ed
September is National Student Parent Month. Read about how higher education institutions can support student parents, and let’s celebrate these students’ success!
Students’ motivations and goals vary
Two returning adult students share why they decided to return to their education – and how they’re using their new-found knowledge.
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