Carroll University undertook a three-year process to reform its general education curriculum from 2007-2010. They used an inclusive process involving faculty retreats, design teams, and feedback from stakeholders to create a new curriculum. The new curriculum includes a coordinated core, distribution areas, and a cross-cultural component. They drew upon best practices from organizations like AAC&U and held numerous campus-wide discussions to engage faculty throughout the process.

1. 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 2010-11
Summer 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