The College of Arts and Sciences has an interesting history of being named and renamed, and being independent and merged with another college. In the beginning, the Saint Columban College was managed by the School  Director and the curricular programs were carried out by the faculty members.

In 1972 to 1973, Mrs. Natividad Manaya concurrently served as the School Registrar and Head of the AB Department. In 1980, Mr. Gumersindo Mendez became Dean of the Arts and Science Department. He held this post until 1992. In 1983 - 1985, it was the Liberal Arts Department; in 1986 - 1988; and starting 1989 to date, it has been called the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1995 - 1998, it was merged with the College of Teacher Education. In 1996, Mrs. Connie Doyugan was Officer in Charge of the CTEAS. In 1998, it became a separate College of which Mrs. Pilar Cabante was Dean for one semester. From then on, Mrs. Elizabeth Panuncialman  served as Dean until 2007. From SY 2007 - 2008 to date, it was merged again with the College of Teacher Education, both will consistently declining population. Mrs. Nenita Bincal served as Officer in Charge.

The College has offered the following fields for major courses: Philosophy, Psychology, English, Filipino, Mathematics, Science, Political Science and History. From these fields surfaced leaders and students with distinguished performance. During the Martial Law years, a number surfaced in leading rallies and fora confronting the status quo on national as well as local issues. Among those that brought home honors for distinguished performance was Marcelo Candia. He was champion in the essay contest sponsored by the Republic of Korea in 1996. This earned him a trip to Korea. Another student was Allan Lachica who came out second in the national championship Quiz Bowl in 1997.

Graduates who pursued further studies such as law have also has made the College proud. Among them were Atty. Tirsendo Polayapoy, Andres Nacilla, Teodoro Quicoy, Ruben Banci and Jaime Caberte. A good number of political and business leaders in the city and in the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay have come from the College.