We seek to communicate, to describe our surroundings with precision, to move the heart, to explore the ways of knowing, and to discover how culture is encoded through language. We aspire to grow intellectually and to share knowledge and culture with those beyond our four walls.

The department makes a major effort to provide life-long learning opportunities in modern languages including English, Spanish, and French, to residents of all ages and to serve as the linguistic and literary center for the region.