Executive Summary
The Internal Self-Study Report for the General Education program consists of a review and evaluation of the program as a whole, and a summary and evaluation of each cluster. Documentation that supports the findings presented in the report was cataloged and available for review by the External Review Team during its on-site visit.
The primary focus of this report is on the origin, development and continued evolution of the program. The history and programmatic development are provided as benchmarks for gauging how much the program has grown and become an integral part of the university. Key recommendations are identified as essential to the program's future initiatives.
The General Education program was implemented as a change from the Liberal Studies program to another core curriculum. The transition was a frequently debated one, and a summary of important events during the development of the General Education program is included.
The mission and goals of the General Education embrace the mission and defining characteristics of the university. Review and assessment are an integral part of the program to continue the advancement of these goals. As a result of this continual assessment and the on-going deliberations of the university community, the Program Self-Study Team identified several areas as future priorities for the program. They included:
- Addressing resource issues regarding to staffing needs
- Integrating student advisement
- Improving communication with the university community
- Increasing collaboration with other programs
- Focusing on excellence in teaching
- Establishing continuous assessment of the General Education program goals
- Addressing growing technological needs
The research and thoughtful reflection on the information contained in this report provided opportunities for considering areas in which the General Education program has excelled as well as for identifying areas needed for improvement. The commitment of a dedicated faculty in addition to university support can ensure the continued evolution of the General Education program at James Madison University
