Vision Statement
The College of Arts and Letters will be recognized as an innovative leader in liberal arts education and interdisciplinary studies in the mid-Atlantic region, acknowledged for its ability to prepare students to be critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, effective communicators, and engaged citizens.
Mission Statement
As the largest and most diverse college on campus, the College of Arts and Letters serves as a core intellectual and cultural center for ODU and the communities it serves, promoting and extending knowledge of the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Our students become engaged citizens and skilled professionals through learning opportunities that foster:
- Appreciation of the diverse cultural and aesthetic heritage of humankind, recognition of the challenges that face contemporary societies, and understanding of the complexities of human experience;
- Development of the essential skills of critical reading and thinking, effective communication, technological proficiency, and creative problem solving.
- Cultivation of the qualities of intellectual honesty, freedom of thought, ethical action, and dedication to equity, inclusivity, and justice. These qualities enable students to successfully navigate the challenges of work and citizenship in an increasingly globalized world.
The College and its faculty are committed to active scholarship that integrates innovative teaching with internationally-recognized research and creative endeavors. The College provides both graduate and undergraduate students with valuable opportunities to engage in groundbreaking research and transformational learning experiences. The College also offers advanced training and qualifications in a variety of fields, preparing graduate students for further research and professional careers.
About the Dean
Dean Zaryab Iqbal serves as interim dean of the College of Arts and Letters at Old Dominion University and as dean of the Patricia and Douglas Perry Honors College. She is also professor of Political Science, International Studies, and Jewish Studies.
Dr. Iqbal joined Old Dominion University in 2025 following 18 years at Pennsylvania State University, where she served as a faculty member and held a variety of academic leadership roles. She previously served on the faculty at the University of South Carolina and held an appointment as a program director at the National Science Foundation in Social, Behavioral, and Economic sciences.
A scholar of international relations and comparative politics, Dr. Iqbal’s research examines international conflict and security -- with particular emphasis on the consequences of militarized conflict, political violence, and state failure. Her research explores the intersection of domestic and international political processes and the forces that shape global security and political instability. She is the author of War and the Health of Nations and State Failure in the Modern World.
At Old Dominion University, Dean Iqbal has brought her experience in academic leadership and student-centered education to the Perry Honors College. Her vision for honors education emphasizes interdisciplinary scholarship, experiential learning, innovation and skill-building, with a focus on preparing students to become lifelong learners and problem-solvers. She brings to her role as dean of the College of Arts and Letters a record of scholarship and academic leadership -- along with a passionate commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and the transformative possibilities of a liberal arts education. She is particularly interested in creating opportunities for students and faculty to engage across disciplinary boundaries and in connecting the College's academic strengths with the evolving needs of students, the university, and the broader community.
Dean Iqbal earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from Emory University, her M.A. from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, and her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She graduated from UNC's honors program and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.