Efforts to update the general education curriculum at The University of Alabama continue, with the appointment of Dr. Chapman Greer as associate provost for general education and the formation and launch of a steering committee with sub-committees seated with faculty and staff.
As an associate provost in the Office of Academic Affairs, Greer will provide strategic leadership and management of the resources required for designing, implementing and evaluating the University’s general education requirements. She comes to Academic Affairs from the Culverhouse College of Business, where she is a senior instructor of management, and she is also president of the Faculty Senate.
Greer was a co-chair, along with Drs. Andre Denham and Erik Peterson, of UA’s General Education Taskforce convened in 2018 to review UA’s general education experiences and develop a comprehensive plan connecting the learning goals of the students’ majors, the work of the Division of Student Life, and a curriculum that furthers the development of curious learners, critical and creative thinkers, as well as informed and engaged citizens.
“Dr. Greer’s proven leadership in the University’s efforts to update the general education core curriculum helped keep the focus on helping our students succeed,” said Dr. Jim Dalton, UA executive vice president and provost. “Her institutional knowledge and ability to work with all areas of campus will provide a trusted hand to guide campus in this effort during this transition and beyond.”
Part of preparing the University to begin the new core curriculum in fall 2025 is the formation of a general education steering committee along with 11 subcommittees, examining all angles of introducing a new core while phasing out the old curriculum. The subcommittees, with chairs serving on the steering committee, have received their charges, and have begun in-depth research, Greer said.
“We wanted many faculty members involved in this process in order to build the best possible curriculum,” Greer said. “The committees are filled with people who have thought deeply about how to help our students thrive at UA, at home, and in the larger global context.”
Recommendations from the various committees will be reviewed by Academic Affairs and Greer will be charged with overseeing implementation. It is expected Academic Affairs will receive initial recommendations this summer.
University of Alabama faculty passed a referendum this past November to update the general education curriculum. The updated core will reduce the number of required core credits and provide greater flexibility, allowing students to pursue double majors and/or add minors and electives, while also providing more opportunities for experiential learning.
Reporting to Dr. Luoheng Han, senior associate provost, Greer has begun serving in the position but will continue teaching courses this semester. She will rotate off as Faculty Senate president this spring.
More details on the updated general education core curriculum and recommended timeline for implementation can be found on the Office for Academic Affairs website.