Essential Education Newsblog

Author: Jessie Neece

Join Us for the Essential Education Symposium

Published
By

Calling all faculty, staff, academic advisors, and campus partners—don’t miss the upcoming Essential Education Symposium on Wednesday, April 30, from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. in the Memorial Union Building (MUB).

This full-day event is your opportunity to dive deeper into Michigan Tech’s Essential Education program, ask questions, explore best practices, and build meaningful connections across campus and beyond.

Why Attend?

Whether you’re directly involved in teaching Essential Education (EssEd) courses or simply want to better understand how this initiative impacts our university community, this symposium was designed for you. With training sessions, panel discussions, and collaborative working sessions, there’s something for everyone—from seasoned faculty to new advisors to campus partners and staff.

Featuring Keynote Speaker: Shane Sutherland

We’re excited to welcome Shane Sutherland, Founder, CEO, and Chief Mischief Maker of PebblePad, as our keynote speaker. Shane brings a global perspective to reflective learning and will share insights on: “How are other higher education institutions around the world using this powerful reflective tool?” Don’t miss this chance to hear from a leader in the field of e-portfolios and learning design.

Agenda Overview

  • Registration and Breakfast – 8:00 am
  • Opening Presentation – 9:00 am
    • “Why Essential Education”
  • Block 1 – 9:30 am
    • “Question Assumptions, Communicate Quantitatively – Strategies For Teaching And Assessment”
    • “Profiles Of Incoming Students And Current Graduates” 
    • “Coaching Students To Success In Essential Education” 
  • Block 2 – 10:30 am
    • “Getting Started With Pebblepad”
    • “Panel: Building Community Partnerships For Essential Education Experiences”
    • “Don’t Panic, It’s Organic! Strategies For Embedding Essential Ed Minor Themes In Your Course”
  • Block 3 – 11:30 am
    • “Engage, Reflect, Storytell”
    • “Welcoming Challenge: talking about failure”
    • “Community Partner & Faculty Mixer”
  • Lunch – Keynote – 12:30 pm
    • Shane Sutherland, Founder, CEO, and Chief Mischief Maker of PebblePad
      • “The Power of ePortfolios Around the World”
  • Block 4 – 1:30 pm
    • “The Success Toolkit: Developing Practical Activities For MTU’s First-Year Seminars”
    • “What Is An Eportfolio?”
    • “Build-A-Minor Workshop: Centering The U.P. In An Essential Ed Minor” 
  • Closing Panel – 2:30 pm
    • Industry Representatives & Deans
      • “What Is The Value Of Essential Education To Future Students/Employers?”
  • Wrap-Up – Awards & Recognitions – 3:00 pm

Ready to Join Us? Register by April 25

We’re excited to host a day of learning, reflection, and community-building. Whether you’re new to Essential Education or already involved, your voice matters—and your presence will help shape the future of teaching and learning at Michigan Tech.

Questions? Reach out to us at essential-ed-l@mtu.edu.

Let’s shape what’s essential—together.

Continue Reading →

Registration Now Open for Michigan Tech Essential Education Symposium

Published
By

Registration is now open for the Michigan Tech Essential Education Symposium, which will be held on April 30 in the Memorial Union Building. This free event is open to all Michigan Tech faculty and staff, as well as guests from local community organizations.

Check-in and breakfast begin at 8 a.m. with the opening welcome address starting at 9 a.m. Lunch will feature a keynote address from Shane Sutherland, founder, CEO and “chief mischief maker” of PebblePad, Michigan Tech’s ePortfolio platform.

The symposium will offer 12 sessions throughout the day with themes such as:

  • Industry and student generational experts discussing trends in student attributes and industry talent needs.
  • Reflection as storytelling.
  • Using Husky Folio to connect student experiences to development of Essential Abilities.
  • Embedding Essential Education minor themes into existing classes.
  • Building partnerships between faculty and community organizations to develop Essential Education Experiences.
  • What students can learn from us when we get comfortable talking about failure.
  • Question assumptions and communicate quantitatively — strategies for teaching, Husky Folio, and assessment.
  • Resources for academic advisors — coaching students to success in Essential Education.
  • Building a U.P.-themed Essential Ed minor.

The symposium will conclude at 3:15 p.m. A panel of industry representatives and deans will conclude the event by discussing the value of Essential Education to our future graduates and their future careers, followed by an awards and recognition ceremony.

Session titles, more defined session content, and presenters will be communicated as the event progresses. Please contact the Essential Education Implementation Leadership Team at essential-ed-l@mtu.edu with any questions.

Continue Reading →

New Essential Education Steering Committee Announced

Published
By

by Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education

In light of the fall 2025 launch of Michigan Tech’s Essential Education program, Provost Andrew Storer has charged a new standing committee, the Essential Education Steering Committee, with overseeing and administering this new program.

The committee launched this fall and replaces the previous General Education Council. Storer and Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education Marika Seigel sincerely thank the outgoing members of the General Education Council for their service to the University and dedication to providing the best educational experience possible to undergraduate students at Michigan Tech.

The Essential Education Steering Committee is charged with “oversight of Essential Education curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement.” Activities include developing and implementing a course review and approval process and timeline, providing input and oversight regarding assessment and continuous improvement of the Essential Education curriculum, giving feedback to Essential Education instructors and units regarding curricular needs and possible modifications, and assisting in planning an annual Essential Education Symposium.

Membership of the new Essential Education Steering Committee includes:

  • Marika Seigel (APUE/PHC), chair
  • Steve Patchin (APUE)
  • Jean DeClerck (APUE)
  • Nancy Barr (APUE)
  • Cassandra Reed-VanDam (APUE)
  • Darren Bausano (Registrar’s Office)
  • Anna McClatchy (DOS)
  • Steven Holloway (COB)
  • Laura Rouleau (SS)
  • Holly Hassel (HU)
  • AJ Hamlin (EF)
  • Valoree Gagnon (CFRES)
  • Mike Maxwell (VPA)
  • Mike Meyer (Physics)
  • Yu Cai (CC)
  • Leonard Bohmann (COE)

The committee began meeting on Sept. 18 and has completed its first item of business: creating a proposal process to include new courses on the Essential Education course lists and to switch courses between lists. The Essential Education Proposal & List Change Form is now available online. The committee has also developed a Requirements for Course Lists document that provides a list of required and desirable elements for each Essential Ed course list.

“Thank you to all those who have agreed to serve on the new Essential Education Steering Committee,” said Storer. “Their contributions to our new general education program and its successful launch will positively impact thousands of students’ lives in the years to come.”

Continue Reading →

RECAP: CTL and Essential Education Lunch and Learn: ‘Mastering the Essentials of Essential Education’

Published
By

Last week, the William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) partnered with the Essential Education Implementation Team to host a dynamic Lunch and Learn session, drawing the attention of faculty and staff eager to delve into the latest updates surrounding Michigan Tech’s Essential Education program. Held on March 7th from 12-1 p.m. in MUB Ballroom A1, the event provided an enriching exploration into the essentials of the Essential Education implementation process.

Attendees were greeted with an atmosphere buzzing with enthusiasm as they gathered to gain insights into the progress of the Essential Education initiative. Spearheaded by faculty and staff from the Essential Education working groups, the session offered a comprehensive overview of the program’s evolution and upcoming endeavors.

The event provided a platform for discussions and ideation around Essential Education Minors, Essential Education Experiences, Michigan Tech Seminars, and Activities for Wellbeing and Success. Attendees seized the opportunity to contribute their thoughts and perspectives, fostering a collaborative environment aimed at enhancing the holistic development of students.

As a testament to their commitment to the cause, attendees were among the first on campus to earn Essential Education swag, symbolizing their dedication to supporting the program’s mission of nurturing well-rounded individuals equipped for success in an ever-evolving world.

The “Mastering the Essentials of Essential Education” Lunch and Learn was an opportunity for all members of our campus community to learn about the program, contribute ideas, and support the success of Essential Education.

Were you unable to attend? Review the informative slides below.

Questions? Contact the Essential Education Implementation Leadership Team: essential-ed-l@mtu.edu or reach out to Steve Patchin: shpatchi@mtu.edu

Continue Reading →