{"id":1415,"date":"2026-10-22T21:42:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T21:42:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/curriculum-assessment-accreditation\/?page_id=1415"},"modified":"2026-11-12T15:53:30","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T15:53:30","slug":"gened2028","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/curriculum-assessment-accreditation\/gened2028\/","title":{"rendered":"GenEd2028"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>GenEd2028<\/h1>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1434 size-square-image alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/NAU-GenEd2028-2-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/NAU-GenEd2028-2-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/NAU-GenEd2028-2-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/NAU-GenEd2028-2-600x600.png 600w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/NAU-GenEd2028-2.png 622w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>General Studies for what comes next<\/h2>\n<p>The students who begin NAU\u2019s new General Studies program in Fall 2028 will carry what they learn into a world that will continue to change throughout their time at NAU and long after graduation.<\/p>\n<p>GenEd2028 is NAU\u2019s faculty-led effort to design what comes next for General Studies. Building on the work that brought us to this point, the redesign asks what every NAU graduate should know and be able to do, how students can successfully navigate the program, and how General Studies can continue to evolve as learning, technology, and the world around us change.<\/p>\n<p>The work is guided by a commitment to academic excellence and to creating a program NAU can reliably deliver.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/11\/GE28-Steering-Committee-Bylaws_Approved.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GenEd2028 Steering Committee Bylaws<\/a><\/p>\n<!-- shortcode-right-column -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-right-column\" >\n    <div class=\"shortcode-right-column__container\"><\/p>\n<p><!-- shortcode-button -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-button shortcode-button--center\">\n      <a class=\"main-button\" href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/curriculum-assessment-accreditation\/gened2028-feedback-form\/\">Share your feedback<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-right-column -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-right-column\" >\n    <div class=\"shortcode-right-column__container\"><\/p>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Committee<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h5><strong>Co-chairs<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?person=yml2\">Yvonne Luna<\/a>, VP Academic and Workforce Alliances<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?person=knw5\">Kyle Winfree<\/a>, Assoc. Professor, School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Security<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Program expert<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?search=Emily%20Manone&amp;person=eac24\">Emily Manone<\/a>, Director of General Studies Program<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Faculty representatives<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?person=jl2492\">Jeremy LaBuff<\/a> (CAL)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?person=cd237\">Christina Lee Baze<\/a> (COE)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?person=dkb54\">Dierdra Kay Bycura<\/a> (CHHS)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?person=jrm954\">Jermaine Robert Martinez<\/a> (SBS)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?person=meb447\">Miriam Espinoza<\/a> (Yuma)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?person=tlb\">Theresa Bierer<\/a> (FCB)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?person=rts\">Roy St. Laurent<\/a> (CEFNS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><strong>Student representative<\/strong><\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>ASNAU representative<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Ex officio<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?person=mes522\">Michael Smith<\/a> \u2014 Faculty Senate President<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?person=msb23\">Monica Bai<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 University Advising<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?person=ms477\">Mikhael Star<\/a> \u2014 Program Manager<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?person=mt373\">Melinda Treml<\/a> \u2014 Staff Support<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/directory.nau.edu\/?person=kft\">Kerry Thompson<\/a> \u2014 Consultant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>What are we designing for?<\/h2>\n<p>The GenEd2028 Steering Committee\u2019s work is organized around three interconnected priorities<\/p>\n<div class='shortcode-column-container'><!-- shortcode-column -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-column shortcode-column--count-3\">\n    <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-landscape-image wp-image-1439\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/0204_sunset_drone_20231005-medium-464x348.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial view of a residential neighborhood at sunset. Red-roofed buildings, trees, and a hilly landscape. Sunlight shining through the trees. Residential area with buildings and natural scenery.\" width=\"464\" height=\"348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/0204_sunset_drone_20231005-medium-464x348.jpg 464w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/0204_sunset_drone_20231005-medium-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/0204_sunset_drone_20231005-medium-232x174.jpg 232w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 464px) 100vw, 464px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Dependable pathways<\/h3>\n<p>A program students can understand and navigate, with meaningful opportunities to explore and timely access to the courses they need.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-column -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-column shortcode-column--count-3\">\n    <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-landscape-image wp-image-1437\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/2941_NAU_wall_sign_20230824-medium-464x348.jpg\" alt=\"Large modern university building with text on the front reading &quot;Northern Arizona University&quot;, surrounded by grassy area and cloudy blue sky.\" width=\"464\" height=\"348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/2941_NAU_wall_sign_20230824-medium-464x348.jpg 464w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/2941_NAU_wall_sign_20230824-medium-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/2941_NAU_wall_sign_20230824-medium-232x174.jpg 232w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 464px) 100vw, 464px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Demonstrable learning<\/h3>\n<p>A program in which students can recognize and explain what they have learned through General Studies, not simply which requirements they have completed.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-column -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-column shortcode-column--count-3\">\n    <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-landscape-image wp-image-1438\" src=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/173PedwaySunset_20231005-medium-464x348.jpg\" alt=\"Two N A U students walk down a path, the rest of the campus and mountain are in the background.\" width=\"464\" height=\"348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/173PedwaySunset_20231005-medium-464x348.jpg 464w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/173PedwaySunset_20231005-medium-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/173PedwaySunset_20231005-medium-232x174.jpg 232w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 464px) 100vw, 464px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Sustainable delivery<\/h3>\n<p>A program NAU can staff, schedule, support, and continuously improve as needs and circumstances change.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>What should every NAU graduate know?<\/h2>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">That question is at the center of GenEd2028. As the steering committee considers what students should learn through General Studies and how that learning connects with their majors, it is exploring questions that will help shape the future program:<\/p>\n<ul data-spread=\"false\">\n<li>What should every NAU graduate share?<\/li>\n<li>How should knowledge areas and essential skills be organized?<\/li>\n<li>How should students engage with diverse histories, cultures, perspectives, and Indigenous Peoples?<\/li>\n<li>Should students have broad freedom to explore, or should courses be connected through a common core or thematic pathways?<\/li>\n<li>How should General Studies learning connect with what students learn in their majors?<\/li>\n<li>What does AI change\u2014both in how the program is designed and in how students demonstrate what they have learned?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Throughout this work, student learning, growth, and success will remain central to the committee\u2019s decisions. The redesign must also balance academic excellence with a program NAU can reliably implement, support, and improve.<\/p>\n<p>Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/10\/GE28-Design-Charter.pdf\">GenEd2028 Design Charter<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>GenEd2028 updates<\/h2>\n<p>Follow the work of the GenEd2028 Steering Committee as ideas are developed, shared with the university community, and advanced through the governance process. Community feedback will be collected and consolidated by Kerry Thompson, Associate Vice Provost for Curriculum, Assessment &amp; General Studies, and shared with the GenEd2028 Steering Committee for review and discussion. Updates and outcomes resulting from that process will be posted here as the work progresses.<\/p>\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n        <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"November 2026 update_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-1-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-1-panel\">\n            November 2026 update\n            <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-1-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-1-trigger\" inert>\n        <html><body>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\"><b>GenEd2028: Building the Framework \u2013\u00a0<\/b>The GenEd2028 Steering Committee is actively advancing the next phase of our work. We are currently developing <b>draft program learning outcomes and a design framework<\/b> that will help shape a meaningful, forward-looking General Studies experience for NAU students.\u00a0There is important work underway, and we are excited about the progress being made. <b>We anticipate the next GenEd2028 update in December<\/b> as we continue building the foundation for NAU\u2019s next General Studies program.<\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Where are we headed?<\/h2>\n<h3>2026\u201327 &#8211;\u00a0<strong>Design and consultation<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The steering committee will develop learning outcomes and design alternatives, consult with the NAU community, and bring a recommendation forward through the university\u2019s governance process.<\/p>\n<h3>June 2027 &#8211; <strong>Target for ABOR consideration<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The current goal is to present a new General Studies program to the Arizona Board of Regents.<\/p>\n<h3>2027\u201328 &#8211;\u00a0<strong>Implementation<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Following approval, NAU will prepare for implementation of the redesigned program.<\/p>\n<h3>Fall 2028 &#8211;\u00a0<strong>Launch<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The new General Studies program is planned to launch for students beginning in Fall 2028.<\/p>\n<h2>Help shape what comes next<\/h2>\n<p>The redesign will be stronger with the experience, ideas, questions, and evidence of the NAU community. As proposals develop, we invite you to help test them and shape the General Studies program that comes next.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/curriculum-assessment-accreditation\/gened2028-feedback-form\/\">Share your feedback<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Prefer email? <strong><a href=\"mailto:GenEd2028@nau.edu\">GenEd2028@nau.edu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GenEd2028 General Studies for what comes next The students who begin NAU\u2019s new General Studies program in Fall 2028 will carry what they learn into a world that will continue to change throughout their time at NAU and long after graduation. GenEd2028 is NAU\u2019s faculty-led effort to design what comes next for General Studies. Building [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2870,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ring_central_script_selection":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1415","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/curriculum-assessment-accreditation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/curriculum-assessment-accreditation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/curriculum-assessment-accreditation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/curriculum-assessment-accreditation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2870"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/curriculum-assessment-accreditation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1415"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/curriculum-assessment-accreditation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1415\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1462,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/curriculum-assessment-accreditation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1415\/revisions\/1462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/curriculum-assessment-accreditation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}