CAS Connection - Jan 2026 Issue

January 2026

CAS Connection logo
people running with the Duck

The science behind setting goals

With the right steps, reinforcement and soul searching, anyone can make their goals transformative.

Get a Goal-Setting Strategy

Experiential Learning  |  Research & Innovation  |  Community Impact  |  Career Preparation  |  Teaching Excellence  |  21st Century Liberal Arts  |  Building Community  |  Good Vibes  |  CAS Spotlights  |  All Stories  |  Past Issues
 

National Day of Writing brings an ant’s perspective to light

Experiential Learning

What would an ant write if it could?

English major Sarah Twiggs’ short story takes the perspective of an ant to win flash fiction contest.

By Jenny Brooks

A new cutting-edge major in the College of Arts and Sciences equips students to drive technological change.

Research & Innovation

Filling a gap in tech knowledge

A new cutting-edge major in the College of Arts and Sciences equips students to drive change.

By CAS Communications

Squatting toward housing policy change

Research & Innovation

Research examines squatting practices

Two sociologists examined how pro-squatting advocates influenced housing policies in three US cities.

By Henry Houston

UO professor predicts crab seasons years ahead using a simple trap

Research & Innovation

Dungeness data does not deceive

Baby crabs caught in a simple trap can predict how big crab season will be within a 12% margin of error.

By Leila Okahata


UO alum turned his love for Spanish into a global career

CAS Spotlight

An unexpected major becomes a global career

College of Arts and Sciences Alum Brandon Rigby enjoyed studying Spanish, but it wasn’t until a professor suggested he major in it that he dove in. WIth multiple overseas assignments under his belt, he is now a global diplomat for the U.S. Department of State.

By Violet Ashley

Go Global with Brandon

Find CAS on Instagram

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

UO College of Arts & Sciences (@uocas) • Instagram photos and videos

CAS News

PHYSICS - A supermassive black hole with a case of cosmic indigestion has been burping out the remains of a shredded star for four years — and it’s still going strong, new research led by University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences astrophysicist Yvette Cendes. Cendes and her team published findings about this one-of-kind black hole in the Feb. 5 issue of Astrophysical Journal Astrophysicists.
PHYSICS - Fascinated by the unexplored corners of the universe since childhood, physicist Tien-Tien Yu has made dark matter the pillar of her research career. In her quest to understand, she’s co-founded a major experiment in collaboration with physicists at other institutions, all of whom are trying try to bring light to the dark.
ANTHROPOLOGY, POLITICAL SCIENCE - College of Arts and Sciences alumni were among the 200 alumni who gathered for the 10th annual UO Board Summit. The alumni that attended included Natalie Poole, BA '80 (political science) who is a senior vice president at Wells Fargo Capital Finance and triple Duck David Lewis, PhD, '09 (anthropology) who serves as an assistant professor at Oregon State University.

All news »


From the Media

Good Housekeeping reported on a new study by College of Arts and Sciences and SUNY Upstate Medical University researchers on why sleeping in helps teen mental health. The article features study co-author Melynda Casement, associate professor of psychology.
Pakistan-based publication Business Recorder reported on a lecture conducted by Anita Weiss, professor emerita in global studies. According to Weiss, shrines in Pakistan are not just places of worship but also powerful centers that shape everyday life.
Retuers reported on research observing the behavior of a supermassive black hole, quoting one of the study's co-authors, College of Arts and Sciences astrophysicist Yvette Cendes. "It's now about 50 times brighter than when it was first discovered," Cendes said. "This has been going on for years now, and no sign of stopping. That is super unusual."

All media news »

Connect with Us

Subscribe

CAS Connection is produced by the CAS Communications Department.

Got something to say? Send us your story ideas or contact us at CASConnection@uoregon.edu.

We know you don’t want to miss a single moment of CAS greatness. Stay plugged into the #CASCommunity by following us on your favorite channels.

Facebook icon Bluesky social media icon YouTube icon Instagram icon Linkedin icon