The Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts
The Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts was established in 2000 with the goal of strengthening liberal arts education locally and nationally. The Institute hosts scholarly conversation on the present and future of the liberal arts, provides liberal arts opportunities to area communities outside the academy, promotes educational access for first-generation and underserved populations, and fosters interdisciplinary contact between faculty and students through extracurricular events on campus.
Programs
The Conversation on the Liberal Arts
Our annual Conversation on the Liberal Arts gathers faculty, administrators, and students from colleges and universities nationwide to address opportunities and challenges in liberal arts education.
Trailhead
In an on-campus summer residency and yearlong mentorship, Trailhead invites high school youth to join a community of scholars, pastors, and other professionals in exploring God's call to a meaningful life.
Frontiers
Through retreat, intellectual rejuvenation, spiritual direction, and mentorship, Frontiers offers pastors and other ministry professionals vital supports to flourish in their calling.
Young Adult Leadership Lab
In a multi-year learning community, the Young Adult Leadership Lab provides funding, training, and ongoing support for churches that want to creatively engage young adults in their twenties.
Thriving Communities
The Westmont Center for Thriving Communities gathers area churches to explore how we can see and do the work God calls us to here on California’s Central Coast.
Liberal Arts Ambassadors
Westmont's Liberal Arts Ambassadors are first-generation college students who are trained to see and share with others the full value of a liberal arts education.
Lectures & Discussions
The Gaede Institute co-sponsors a variety of public lectures, conversations, and events.
Resources
Staff
Contact any of the staff members:
Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts
955 La Paz Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Executive Director
Chris has a Ph.D. in philosophy from the Claremont Graduate School, did graduate work in political science at the University of Bonn in Germany, and has a BA in humanities from Biola University. In addition to directing the Gaede Institute, Chris is an adjunct associate professor of philosophy, and regularly leads semester abroad programs to the UK and Germany.
Director of Student Engagement, Strategic Partnerships, and Operations
Christen is a 2001 alumna of Westmont College with a BA in Communication Studies. She earned an MPA from Seton Hall University, and prior to coming to Westmont, served as the program director for the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation.
Director Academic and Congregational Integration
Aaron holds a Ph.D. in church history and an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Before coming to Santa Barbara, he was an adjunct professor of religion at Villanova University; at Westmont, he's taught courses in history, writing, and education. His research focuses on the institutionalization of American mainline Protestantism in the early twentieth century, with particular emphases on war, money, and gender.
Assistant Director
Sarah is an alumna of Westmont College with a BA in Sociology. She co-directs Westmont’s Young Adult Leadership Lab, and prior to joining the Gaede Institute she worked with International Justice Mission in Ghana as an advocate against child trafficking.
Administrative Assistant
Grace is a 2022 Westmont alumna with a BA in political science.