Programmatic Learning Goals
These new programmatic learning goals were developed in AY 24/25 by the spring steering committee with input from the spring working groups.
They were reviewed by Faculty Senate in April 2025 and refined this summer by the AY 25/26 Gen Ed Reform Faculty and Operational Committees, and we are seeking input from the university community this fall.
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Inquiry and Research: Students will develop meaningful questions and gather, analyze, and apply information to create knowledge.
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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.
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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.
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Communication and Expression: Students will communicate in diverse ways to promote active participation in academic, artistic, civic, personal, and professional settings.
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Reflection and Integration: Students will engage in self-discovery, skill-building, and reflection to foster curiosity, self-motivation, lifelong learning, and overall well-being.
Use the or email GenEd@odu.edu to share your thoughts, questions, or concerns regarding these programmatic learning goals.
Reform Timeline
- Fall: Planning
- Spring: Begin Review​
- Fall: Building Community
- Spring: Developing Goals
- Fall: Developing Structure
- Spring: Refining Structure
- Fall: Piloting and Refining
- Spring: Approving
- Piloting
- Faculty and Course Development
- Catalog
- Schedule Revisions
- Fall: Planning
- Spring: Begin Review​
- Fall: Building Community
- Spring: Developing Goals
- Fall: Developing Structure
- Spring: Refining Structure
- Fall: Piloting and Refining
- Spring: Approving
- Piloting
- Faculty and Course Development
- Catalog
- Schedule Revisions
(Re)Imagining the Future Together
Our goal is to engage the campus community in a comprehensive general education review and reform process to envision and implement a program that considers these guiding principles.
- We envision a student-centered general education program that rejuvenates and inspires students, faculty, and the entire campus community
- We believe that general education must prepare 98ĚĂ graduates for academic, professional, and civic life
- We assert that everyone at 98ĚĂ has a stake in general education
- We know that inclusion, collaboration, and transparency are essential to the success of the reform initiative and ultimately of the program
- We maintain that this initiative is an opportunity to celebrate what we do, be creative about what is possible, and establish a distinctive identity for general education at 98ĚĂ
Additional Information
- The current general education program is a distributive model foregrounding disciplines/classes. It requires 50 credits and an upper-level Option outside the major.
- The last revisions to general education were made in 2010
- General education curriculum must meet SCHEV and SACSCOC requirements
- SCHEV: 4 Core Competencies - Critical thinking, Written communication, Quantitative reasoning, and Civic engagement, plus 2 of the institution's choice
- SACSCOC: Be based on a "coherent rationale," be "a substantial component of each undergraduate degree with min 30 credit hours," and "ensure breadth of knowledge"
- The decision to reform general education is based on:
- Assessments of student learning – General Education Assessment Committee (GEAC)
- Feedback from faculty via GEAC, Faculty Senate
- Feedback from students via Senior Student Satisfaction Survey (SSSS) and National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)
- External review – Jan-Feb. 2024
- General education is a field of study similar to other disciplines with a long historiography, best practices, and peer-reviewed scholarship
Faculty Committee
- Aaron Arndt, Professor of Marketing
- Orlando Ayala, Professor of Engineering Technology
- Brett Bebber, Associate Professor of History
- Dooyoung Choi, Associate Professor of Fashion Merchandising​
- Kyle Davis, Senior Lecturer of Exercise Science
- Peter Eudenbach, Professor of Art
- Matt Grau, Assistant Professor of Physics
- Janice Hawkins, Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Travis Jones, Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Librarian
- Barbara Kraj, Associate Dean, Elmer College of Health Sciences ​
- Jeff LaCombe, Associate Dean, Batten College of Engineering and Technology
- Suzanne Morrow, Master Lecturer of Psychology
- Anders Nolan, Senior Lecturer of English
- Paige O’SHaughnessy, Senior Lecturer of Accountancy
- Tony Perez, Associate Professor of STEM Education and Professional Studies
- Lucinda “Lucy” Wittkower, Head of Libraries Education and Assessment
- Jesse Richman, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Studies
Operations Committee
- Remica Bingham-Risher, Director Quality Enhancement Plan Initiatives
- Tania Black, Director of Transfer Initiatives and Transfer Center
- Kellie Crawford-Sorey, Assistant VP for Strategic Enrollment Management
- Annette Finley-Croswhite, Prof of History and Dir of Center for Faculty Development
- Kenyon Gannon, Executive Director of Digital Learning Programs
- Carrie John, Associate Vice Provost and University Registrar
- Susan Kenter, Chief of Staff and Associate VP for Strategic Initiatives
- Angela Luettel, Senior Associate Director of Transfer Admissions and University Partnerships
- Megan Mize, Director of ePortfolio and Digital Initiatives
- Catherine Moss, Director of Academic Initiatives and Student Services, 98ĚĂGlobal
- Kala Perkins-Holtsclaw, Vice Dean, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences
- Karen Sanzo, Executive Director, Center for Educational Innovation and Opportunity
- Lanah Stafford, Director of High Impact Learning Initiatives
- Katie St. John, Director of Exploration & Student Success
- Leanne White, Director of Advising, Ellmer College of Health Sciences
Visit the for more information about the reform initiative, including committee agendas, reports, and collected readings on general education.
2025 Events
- Reform Committee Retreat: August 12, 9:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. Webb Center
- Gen Ed Forum: October 6, 12:00-1:00 p.m. via Zoom
- Model Walk Launch: October 7, 11:30-1:30 in Executive Dining Room
- New Model Walkabout: October 7-9, various locations across campus
- Gen Ed Town Hall: October 9, 12:30-1:30 via Zoom
How to Get Involved
Send an email to invite us to speak with your office, program, or team and to learn more about how to get involved in the reform process!