By Jacob Tone, Contributing Writer
The Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) department hosted its annual Fall Festival on Oct. 1, 2025, providing students with the opportunity to meet with faculty, ask questions, and explore how individualized majors can shape their academic paths.
IDS has experienced rapid growth in recent years, expanding from five majors to 39. The program allows students to design unique majors that combine multiple fields of study, helping them develop critical thinking, communication skills, and adaptability.
Associate Professor of Philosophy and Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies Vern Cisney opened the event by reflecting on the department’s growth.
“We’ve grown from five majors to 39 in a very short period of time,” Cisney said. “Students want the freedom to design an education that reflects their interests. But it’s not just freedom–it’s also the responsibility of explaining why your program matters. That’s where the real learning happens.”
Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies Aisha Mershani highlighted how IDS encourages students to connect their studies with real-world challenges and benefit from faculty expertise.
“All of us have such diverse intellectual backgrounds, and the way we engage with our own research and incorporate it into our teaching is what makes us truly interdisciplinary,” she explained. “We’re not confined to one perspective. When we work with students, we bring together different disciplines, combining theory and practice, and share our understanding of interdisciplinarity in mentorship as well.”
Mershani also emphasized the impact of student creativity on the department. “Some of the most creative student proposals have influenced new majors and minors,” she added. “That’s how Communications began—as an idea cultivated through IDS.”
Also in attendance at this event was Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies Ian Isherwood. His presence reflected the department’s broad expertise in history, literature, and memory studies, which supports students in crafting individualized majors.
Faculty emphasized that creating an individualized major requires students to articulate how their choices align with their future goals. This process develops self-awareness, problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate ideas effectively—skills alumni say have been invaluable in their careers.
The Fall Festival allowed students to speak directly with Cisney, Mershani, and Isherwood, have some food for thought and envision how IDS could support their academic interests.
