redesign, CWU took on this challenge again in AY2016-17 and successfully created a new GE program in spring 2018. Implementation planning has been underway since then, with an anticipated rollout of the new GE program in Fall 2019. The new program provides an enhanced first-year experience grounded in quantitative reasoning, academic writing, and opportunities for major and degree exploration through small, topical seminars across nearly all disciplines and departments. Students then take courses in Knowledge Areas (KAs) and Pathways designed for both breadth (KAs) and depth (Pathways). Students complete the GE program through a capstone experience, often linked to a capstone project in their major. CWU will need to ask and answer a key question: to what degree is the new GE an improvement over the current program? Beyond that, CWU will need to determine what future enhancements to the GE program will keep it “current” and “meaningful” for today’s and tomorrow’s students. In what ways are students fundamentally different after their experiences with the Central Washington community – faculty, staff, administrators, and fellow students? CWU emphasizes the “Learn. Do. Live.” model of higher education. While other institutions focus on graduate research, CWU places great emphasis on undergraduate research as well. Evidence of this can be seen every May at the Symposium on University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). CWU also emphasizes academic service learning and community engagement, especially through the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement (CLCE). The challenge CWU faces is involving increasing numbers of Ellensburg residential campus students in these and other “Do” endeavors (e.g., education abroad), while also providing these opportunities to students at the University Centers, instructional sites, and in the online/multi-modal educational environment. How do the answers to the above questions impact the Strategic Plan, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) reaccreditation, and future academic planning for the variety of demographic groups served through the University Centers, online programming, and on the Ellensburg residential campus? In AY2018-19, CWU will need to re-examine its mission, vision, strategic plan, and core themes in the light of the challenges discussed above and create a new strategic plan – first and foremost to guide the institution forward, and second, to share with the NWCCU by March 2020. While CWU’s current Core Themes: Teaching and Learning, Inclusiveness and Diversity, Scholarship and Creative Expression, Public Service and Community Engagement, and Resource Development and Stewardship are all hallmarks of a sound, well-functioning public regional comprehensive university, they are neither bold nor particularly forward-looking. Thus, the primary challenges facing CWU are to determine how best to: 1) capitalize on the distinctiveness of our university community; 2) support the students who choose to come to CWU; 3) make the most of our new General Education program; 4) optimize both academic and social integration programming to help our students meet the many challenges they face during their time with us, and afterward. Action Items: Academic Advising: Extensive data collection, feedback gathering, and program assessment occurred during 2017-2018. Effective advising is critical to improved retention efforts. It is evident that changes need to be made to the model in 2018-2019 that include clear delineation between professional and faculty advising.
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