A recent statement from Enrico Pontelli, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at New Mexico State University, challenges the idea that liberal arts education is less valuable than STEM degrees. Pontelli argues that both humanistic and technical skills are essential for the workforce of the future in New Mexico and beyond.
Pontelli states, “A common myth positions a liberal arts education against a STEM degree, framing the former as a luxury and the latter as the only serious path to success – an image amplified by media rhetoric and national investments. This presents a false and shortsighted choice. The careers of the future, in New Mexico and around the world, will be built on a foundation of both humanistic and technical skills.”
He notes that rapid technological changes, particularly those driven by artificial intelligence, are transforming economies. In this context, Pontelli emphasizes adaptability and continuous learning over specific technical skills that may quickly become outdated. “Rather than teaching a specific set of technical skills that could quickly become obsolete, a liberal arts education teaches students something far more durable: how to think and how to learn. This prepares them to be the versatile, innovative and dynamic workforce New Mexico needs,” he says.
According to Pontelli, today’s students will likely work in fields that do not yet exist. He asserts that a liberal arts background provides tools for synthesizing information across disciplines and encourages innovation. He adds, “Disciplines like history, philosophy and literature are powerful engines for developing the abilities employers value most. These are not ‘soft skills’; they are essential skills, such as critical thinking and complex problem-solving…”
Pontelli also highlights communication proficiency as vital for collaboration in diverse teams within global contexts. When combined with STEM knowledge, these skills can enhance creative problem-solving and ethical decision-making.
He points out that while some technical degrees may lead to higher starting salaries, liberal arts graduates often advance into leadership roles with higher earnings over time due to their transferable skills.
Graduates with this broad educational base are positioned to address key challenges in New Mexico—including public policy issues like water management, energy sovereignty, and public health—across sectors such as technology, government, media, healthcare, non-profit management, and entrepreneurship.
New Mexico State University’s College of Arts and Sciences is promoting interdisciplinary collaboration to address complex societal issues. Pontelli mentions their new doctoral program in Transborder Studies and Global Human Dynamics as an example of efforts aimed at preparing graduates to work on challenges faced by border communities worldwide.
“Our approach is to create educational opportunities that unite diverse fields – history, sociology, philosophy, linguistics, and others – to analyze and address multifaceted global issues,” Pontelli explains.
He concludes: “An investment in a liberal arts education is an investment in New Mexico’s future. The degree itself isn’t the final goal. The objective is to prepare students to adapt, pivot, and grow across a lifetime of opportunities, securing not just a job, but a fulfilling and impactful career.”
Enrico Pontelli serves as dean at NMSU’s College of Arts and Sciences.
