@suzannealdrich Here in Santa Cruz there is a fairly strong STEM movement up at the university (UC Santa Cruz). However, at least among the astronomy/astrophysics/astrobiology profs, there seems to be an understanding that liberal arts are very important because they give people the tools they need in order to clearly convey and promote their ideas.

(Plus it is a lot of fun when chatting about the latest science to slip in a comment from Thomas Aquinas - and get a cogent response in return.)