Author: Stephen Patchin

Essential Education Implementation: Working Groups Update

The Essential Education Implementation Leadership Team continues to move forward toward the program’s launch in fall 2025. The following working groups have been charged with working on major components of the program:

  • Essential Education Experience
    • Co-Leaders: Kari Henquinet (SS), Laura Rouleau (SS)
  • Essential Education Assessment
    • Leader: Jean DeClerk (CTL)
  • Essential Education Minors
    • Co-Leaders: Chelsea Schelly (SS), Leyre Alegre Figuero (HU)
  • Essential Education Course Lists
    • Co-Leaders: Holly Hassell (HU), Kay Oliver (CC)
  • Essential Education Activities for Well-Being & Success
    • Co-Leaders: Tayler Haapapuro (KIP), Melissa Michaelson (Career Services)
  • Essential Education Michigan Tech Seminar
    • Co-Leaders: AJ Hamlin (EF), Linda Wanless (CTL)
  • Essential Education e-Portfolio
    • Co-Leaders: Laura Fiss (PHC), Christopher Plummer (VPA)
  • Essential Education Marketing and Communication Advisory Board
    • Leader: Sarah Erickson (UMC)

Monthly communication highlighting the progress of each group will be posted and sent out to unit liaisons on the last Wednesday of each month, beginning this month. Our next communication will detail the mission of each working group.

Our mission is to keep all members of the campus community updated on the direction and progress of the teams toward Essential Education’s rollout date.

Thanks to all who continue to provide feedback as we collectively craft this unique learning experience opportunity for our Huskies.


To contact the Essential Education Implementation Leadership Team please email: essential-ed-l@mtu.edu or reach out to Steve Patchin: shpatchi@mtu.edu

Sign Up for Essential Education Minor Development Workshops

The Essential Education leadership team is hosting two workshops next week and one workshop in November to begin developing Essential Education minors.

The first workshops will take place next week on Monday (Oct. 9) and Wednesday (Oct. 11) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Alley Makerspace. Participants should plan to attend both sessions — on Monday and Wednesday — to complete the workshop. This workshop will be an opportunity to generate ideas for Essential Education minor themes. We will not be making any final decisions at these sessions. Please come with an open mind — ready to share your ideas and listen to others.

If you are not able to attend next week’s workshops, there will be another workshop on developing Essential Education minors on Nov. 17 from 2-5 p.m., also in the Alley Makerspace.

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Seeking Leadership and Participation in Essential Education Implementation Team


If you are interested in participating in a working group or in a leadership role to support the implementation of Essential Education, Michigan Tech’s revised general education curriculum, please express your interest in participation using the Essential Education Implementation Team and Task Forces form. We will be accepting responses until Friday (Sept. 29).

In addition to supporting a campuswide change, these roles will provide valuable networking and professional development opportunities for individuals who are interested in expanding their on-campus networks or gaining valuable experience for taking on future leadership roles.

MTU campus in the fall with a view of the husky statue and the library in the background.