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.”