UE Statement on Reimagined General Education Curriculum

Evansville, Ind. (09/15/2026) — The following statement is attributable to Dr. William L. "Bill" Johnson, Chair of the UE Board of Trustees; Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz, UE President; and Dr. Bethany Huebner, Chair of the UE Faculty Senate.

"The University of Evansville has reenvisioned its General Education curriculum, creating a more flexible, mission-centered, and future-focused academic experience for students beginning Fall 2027.

The modernized 30-credit hour curriculum represents nearly three years of collaborative effort, with an intentional focus of preparing UE graduates for the changing world through exceptional academic and experiential learning opportunities.

The reimagined General Education curriculum reflects a shared commitment to creating the strongest possible educational experience for UE students. Faculty shaped and refined the proposal through the University's governance process, culminating in Faculty Senate approval on September 1. Following the Faculty Senate's approval and President Pietruszkiewicz's recommendation, the Board of Trustees approved the reimagined General Education curriculum during their special meeting on Friday, September 4. This marks an important milestone in the University's work to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

The redesigned curriculum preserves the breadth of a strong liberal arts and sciences education while providing students greater flexibility to shape their coursework around their academic interests, majors, minors, and future goals.

The new framework also better reflects the way students come to UE today. Many first-year students arrive having already earned significant college credit while in high school, and transfer students bring substantial prior coursework with them. The redesigned curriculum is intended to recognize that progress, reduce unnecessary duplication, and make it easier for students to build on the academic work they have already completed.

The updated General Education curriculum emphasizes several elements that are distinctly UE. Students will complete a Mission Experience through ChangeLab or specifically designed courses at Harlaxton College, engage with Academic Writing and Emerging Technologies in the First-Year Seminar, and develop both written and oral communication skills throughout their undergraduate education.

The reenvisioned curriculum creates an intentional General Education experience - one that reflects the University's mission to empower each student to think critically, act bravely, serve responsibly, and live meaningfully in a changing world.

We are grateful to the many faculty members, academic leaders, and University colleagues who invested significant time and expertise in this work. The process included meaningful discussion, thoughtful perspectives, and a shared commitment to getting this important work right. The result is a General Education curriculum that is distinctly University of Evansville - grounded in our mission, shaped by our faculty, and designed around what our students will need to thrive in a changing world.

We look forward to welcoming students into the redesigned General Education curriculum in Fall 2027."

-30-

University of Evansville

For more information contact: uerelations@evansville.edu

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