ACADEMIC AND CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS
Academic and Co-curricular Recommendations Pathways to Academic Distinction PLU’s pathways to academic distinction – global education, student-faculty research and creative projects, and purposeful learning – have been fundamental tenets of the university’s academic program since PLU 2010. They have been successful in giving students opportunities to go beyond the minimum requirements of the degree and become actively engaged in their education. When PLU highlights the work of our students and frames these accomplishments in the context of our pathways, it serves to inspire and motivate many other students and attracts prospective students who seek this level of distinction. Recommendation: The university should strengthen and broaden the influence of the pathways to academic distinction on our students’ educational experience, should seek to incorporate the values of diversity, justice and sustainability into the pathways, and prepare periodic reports on the pathways that provide an evaluation of their implementation and success in meeting current needs.
When PLU highlights the work of our students and frames these accomplishments in the context of our pathways, it serves to inspire and motivate many other students and attracts prospective students who seek this level of distinction.
General Education Program Keeping pace with the evolution of academic subjects and fully preparing students for their careers and lives after graduation requires innovation in academic programming. It is important that students see how the elements of the General Education Program are at the foundation of a liberal arts education and how the program fits with their majors and minors. PLU graduates should be able to articulate and demonstrate the benefits of a PLU education to graduate programs and employers. Recommendation: The university should enhance its assessment and review of all elements of the General Education Program and the program as a whole, as well as the articulation of the program’s value and importance to a student’s educational goals and future career.
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