WSU launches revisioning initiative for its general education curriculum

Washington State University is embarking on a comprehensive, system-wide effort to re-envision the future of general education - an essential component of the undergraduate student experience. With the current general education curriculum, UCORE, now in its 15th year, this work offers an important opportunity to ensure WSU's model continues to meet the needs of today's students while remaining true to the university's land-grant mission.

To guide this multi-year effort, the Provost's Office, in partnership with the Faculty Senate, has convened the General Education Visioning Committee. The committee will lead an in-depth examination of what students need to succeed in their future careers, contribute to their communities, and thrive as lifelong learners. This includes evaluating the strengths and limitations of the current UCORE framework, exploring models used by peer R1 institutions, and developing a student-centered curriculum grounded in inclusion, transparency, and shared governance.

Over the coming year, the committee's efforts will center on:

• Information gathering and analysis, including a review of UCORE's evolution over the past 15 years and identification of opportunities for modernization.
• Engagement with the WSU community, including listening sessions, forums, and feedback opportunities designed to ensure broad participation in shaping the next iteration of general education.
• Exploration of national best practices to inform a forward-looking, mission-aligned curriculum.

Because general education impacts nearly every undergraduate student, WSU will provide regular updates and opportunities for involvement from the campus community throughout the process. A dedicated website will launch this spring to share progress, resources, and ways to contribute. The committee intends to begin implementation of the new curriculum in fall 2027.

Steering committee members

• Bill Davis, vice provost for Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (co-chair)
• Kara Whitman, associate professor and associate director of Undergraduate Programs, School of the Environment (co-chair)
• Tariq Akmal, associate dean and professor, College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences
• Caitlin Bletscher, scholarly associate professor, College of Agriculture, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
• Andrew Brewick, assistant vice provost for Enrollment Management
• Shira Broschat, professor, Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
• Lindsey Brown, director, Office of Assessment of Curricular Effectiveness
• Grace Carpenter, vice president, ASWSU Pullman
• Debbie Compeau, dean, Carson College of Business
• Michael Goldsby, associate professor, College of Arts and Sciences
• Lisa Guerrero, vice provost for Access and Opportunity
• Terese King, director, University Advising
• Robin Mays, acholarly associate professor, College of Arts and Sciences
• Kate McAteer, vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, WSU Tri-Cities
• Romando Nash, vice provost for Student Affairs
• Jennifer Thigpen, vice chancellor for academic affairs, WSU Global Campus
• Gregory Turner-Rahman, professor and chair, College of Arts and Sciences
• Zhong Wang, assistant professor, College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences
• Kate Watts, director, UCORE; scholarly professor, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jessica Willoughby, professor, Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
• Matthew Zimmerman, registrar