GSW implements its Quality Enhancement Plan, “Windows to the World”

Georgia Southwestern State University has started implementing its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) entitled “Windows to the World.” This plan, written by Stephanie Harvey, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, and Elizabeth Gurnack, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, was chosen to help complete the goal outlined on the GSW QEP website of “providing a broad cultural and geographic learning environment designed to empower students as life-long learners with the ability to adapt to new environments, pursue professional growth, and engage in lifelong learning.”

The QEP is a required part of re-accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS COC). This process occurs every 10 years. According to the SACS COC website, “The concept of quality enhancement is at the heart of the commission’s philosophy of accreditation. Each institution seeking accreditation is required to develop a QEP. Engaging the wider academic community and addressing one or more issues that contribute to institutional improvement, the plan should be focused, succinct, and limited in length.”

Windows to the World (W2W) will target first year, full time students with the hope that by increasing their knowledge about the world early, it will foster a curiosity, willingness and ability to engage the global community. There are three strategies that are and will be implemented: the enrichment of University 1000 classes; an institutional Windows to the World requirement for students; and coordination with the International Programs already at Georgia Southwestern.

The implementation of enriching the University 1000 classes with global experiences has already occurred. This semester, each class visited the Habitat for Humanity Global Village and wrote pre- and post-reflection essays to show how their perspectives were changed by the experience.

The Windows to the World seminar series is the key component to the proposed institutional requirement for students. The requirement for students would include attending at least eight seminars prior to graduating, creating a corresponding reflection artifact, and passing an exit exam. At least one W2W seminar would be offered each semester. Currently, GSW already hosts the Third World in Perspective Program Seminars, and these, and other seminars, could count toward the W2W seminar requirement if they satisfy seminar topic and rubric requirements, which are still being established.

Georgia Southwestern offers a lot of international opportunity already. There is the study abroad programs that have travelled to Bulgaria, Peru, China, and Ghana. We have had visiting scholars from around the globe lecture at GSW. These opportunities are unfortunately the hidden gems of GSW, and Windows to the World hopes to increase student awareness of the programs. The major tactic to accomplish this goal is to hire a new International Programs Coordinator. This person will be in charge of all of the implementations of the QEP, as well as organize all the study abroad programs, develop a webpage and the Windows to the World seminar series, and assist in bringing visiting scholars to the university.