By Annette Finley-Croswhite
General Education can be defined as a common set of multidisciplinary coursework that all students take at an institution regardless of their major. This coursework is designed to increase proficiency in critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving. Since 2023 ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ has been engaged in a massive process of General Education Reform. Reform Committee Meetings continued over the summer of 2025. Team members worked to discuss incorporating First-Year Experiences and High Impact Practices into new General Education models. Potential models were devised and vetted, and three models were adopted to offer to the campus community for consideration in October. These three models will be released soon.
In revising General Education, certain required material must be present. The State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV) requires that we assess for Core Competencies which include Critical Thinking, Written Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, and Civic Engagement, plus 2 of the institution's choice.​​ In addition the accrediting body SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) specifies that we must adhere to Core Requirement 9.3 that states General Education must: be "based on a coherent rationale," be a "minimum of 30 credit hours," "ensure breadth of knowledge," and include at least one course in: humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, and natural sciences/mathematics.
At ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ the General Education Steering Committee developed General Education Learning Goals that were shared with Faculty Senate April 22, 2025. They include:
Inquiry and Research: Students will develop meaningful questions and gather, analyze, and apply information to create knowledge.
Reasoning and Problem-Solving: Students will develop critical reasoning, knowledge, and skills to address problems while considering their implications and the impact of potential solutions.
Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility: Students will gain insight into political and social systems to participate responsibly in civic life in local, national, or global communities.
Communication and Expression: Students will communicate in diverse ways to promote active participation in academic, artistic, civic, personal, and professional settings.
Reflection and Integration: Students will engage in self-discovery, skill-building, and reflection to foster curiosity, self-motivation, lifelong learning, and overall well-being.
You can offer feedback here:
The General Education Reform process has been wildly inclusive of 100s of faculty and administrators working continuously and seeking input from students as well. The Executive Committee includes Director, Assessment & Accreditation Megan E. Corbett, Associate Dean, College of Arts & Letters Martha Daas, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education​ Amy M. Johnson, Master Lecturer, Biological Sciences Tatyana Lobova, Master Lecturer, English Jenn Sloggie, and Associate Dean, College of Sciences Joshua Wallach. There is also a General Education Reform Faculty Committee, an Operations Committee, and the process has included multiple reading, working groups, and ad hoc sub-committees.
The General Education Reform Committee invites you to get involved. A Model Showcase will occur October 6-9, 2025, and this will be your opportunity to find out more about three proposed models and give your input. The schedule is below so please mark your calendars and expect to hear more about the Showcase soon.
UPCOMING GENERAL EDUCATION EVENTS
Gen Ed Model Webinar: October 3, 12:00-1:00 p.m. via Zoom:
Gen Ed Week Model Showcase: October 6-9, various locations across campus
Gen Ed Model Showcase: October 7, 11:30-1:30 in Executive Dining Room
Student Forum: October 8, 1:00-2:00 in North Café (with free pizza!)
Gen Ed Town Hall: October 9, 12:30-1:30 via Zoom:
There are multiple ways to get involved:
Visit the General Education Reform website to learn about accomplishments, goals, and view the timeline: &²Ô²ú²õ±è;​
Read the General Education Reform monthly newsletter​
Attend forums and other community-wide reform events​
Participate in a departmental conversation or focus group​
Respond to upcoming surveys​
Email questions, concerns, and comments to GenEd@odu.edu​
Contact a member of the General Education Reform Committees
The General Education Reform Committee wants to hear from you.