Creating a Comprehensive General Education Program: Planning for Campus Engagement

James Grimshaw and Kimberly Redding

Carroll University, 100 North East Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186

In 2007, Carroll University initiated the process of reforming our general education curriculum. Our process was inclusive, cost effective, and successful . The new curriculum was approved following a three year design process. In these two posters, we articulate the key steps in both the design and implementation of the curriculum.

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11Summer Academic Year Summer Academic Year Summer Academic Year Summer Academic Year

• Learning outcome retreat • Curriculum design teams • AAC&U Gen Ed Conference, Baltimore

• Component design teams • Title III grant began• AAC&U Gen Ed Conference,

Seattle• AAC&U High Impact Practices,

Philadelphia• AAC&U Faculty Learning

Community, Pomona

• Engaging Faculty in General Education Retreat

• Faculty Learning Community Piloting Cultural Seminar

• Distribution Area Course Development Retreat

We…

1.Seized opportune moment (new senior administrators, faculty momentum, readiness for change)

2.Identified best practices (LEAP resources, etc.)

3.Characterized Ideal Carroll graduate

4.Complained about existing curriculum

5.Drafted key learning outcomes

6.Reviewed literature on Gen Ed revision

We…

1.Created 3 “ideal” curricula

2.Talked and talked and talked

3.Distilled curricula into 3 primary components:

- coordinated core

- distribution areas

- cross-cultural component

4. Discussed concerns with provost regularly

5. Recruited targeted faculty for design teams

We…

1.Presented draft plan to campus

2.Sought feedback from key stakeholders and credit-intensive programs

3.Consulted with Registrar and Admissions

4.Fine-tuned each component of plan

5.Presented plan to faculty

6.Secured faculty approval (formal vote)

7.Drank champagne with provost

We…

1.Piloted freshman cultural seminar (with learning community)

2.Revised plans based on pilot

3.Incentivized course development

4.Approved distribution courses

5.Aligned development with progression of class of ‘16

through…-8 campus-wide listening sessions-Weekly committee meetings-Learning outcome retreat

through:-Interdisciplinary summer design teams -Weekly committee meetings-Monthly Q&A with faculty-AAC&U Conference

through…

-7 campus-wide listening sessions-Weekly committee meetings-Conversations with deans-Interdisciplinary summer teams - AAC&U conference

through…

-Existing courses-Weekly committee meetings-Faculty learning community-Course development retreat with outside facilitator-Distribution area retreat

21st Century Skills

Cross Cultural

Best Practices