General education is integral to the student experience in higher education. It provides the broad foundation for student learning and preparation in the academy and throughout life. To deliver the best experience for students as they prepare for their futures in an increasingly complex world, East Tennessee State University’s General Education Advisory Committee (GEAC) made a formal recommendation in fall 2022 to begin a faculty-led process for the redesign of general education at ETSU.
General Education Redesign Task Force
The GEAC, along with Faculty Senate, the Council of Academic Chairs, the Dean’s Council, and SGA have all recommended faculty, staff, and student representatives to serve on the steering committee for this important work. The General Education Redesign Task Force includes the following representatives:
Dr. Sharon McGee
Co-ChairDean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies, Professor of English
Ms. Jeanna “Mikki” Johnson
Senior Lecturer in Community and Behavioral Health and Field Experience Coordinator
Dr. Daryl Carter
Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion, Arts and Sciences, Professor of History, and Director of Black American Studies
Mr. Bill Hemphill
Associate Professor of Engineering, Engineering Technology, and Surveying
Mr. Matthew Desjardins
Senior Lecturer, Computing, and Director BlueSky Tennessee Institute
Dr. Alan Stevens
Chair, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities
Timeline
Phase One (Groundwork) December 2022-May 2023
Note: Bullets in this phase do not represent sequential efforts; many of these will overlap and be recursive.
- Develop a philosophy and intellectual framework for general education
- Determine core competencies/pillars for general education
- Develop student learning outcomes for each competency/pillar
- Design a curriculum that works with existing resources and allows for evolution and growth
- Gather feedback from faculty and other stakeholders for feedback and revision (various points + Campus Presentation April 14, 2023 [proposed date])
- Form working groups to move into Phase Two
Phase Two (Design) June 2023-October 2023
- Prepare for Fall 2023 department meetings and curricular discussions (June-July 2023)
- Plan faculty development to support design (June-August)
- Create streamlined approval process in collaboration with GEAC (June-September)
- Determine courses in consultation with academic departments (August-early October)
- Gather feedback from faculty and other stakeholders for feedback and revision (various points)
- Recommend new courses or course elements (August-early October)
- Undertake analysis of budget impact to colleges (August-September)
- Present plan to faculty for approval (late October 2023)
Phase Three (Implementation) November 2023-May 2024
Note: Bullets in this phase do not represent sequential efforts; many of these will overlap and be recursive.
- Design longitudinal assessment, including recommendations for administrative processes and structures
- Develop crosswalk for students who started under “old” gen ed for seamless completion
- Develop crosswalk for transfer students
- Gather feedback from faculty, advisors, and other stakeholders
- Review all approved courses/ redesigned/modified courses support new SLOs
- Assist departments so that all proposed courses have been approved by catalog deadline (March) for Fall 2024 implementation
Go Live Date: Fall 2024
Initial Draft: 12/04/22
Revised Draft: 01/18/23
Updates
Check back for dates of upcoming community fora to gather input for the general education redesign process.
To share feedback about the General Education Redesign, please contact Dr. Sharon McGee or Dr. David Harker.