Learn
Learning Experience
Valpo creates an unparalleled learning experience for students that is nationally recognized for its excellent teaching, experiential learning, and demonstrated career outcomes.
Learn Initiatives
- Valpo Connect — Create a thriving, dynamic collaboration center for interdisciplinary and problem-based learning for all majors on campus. This initiative draws disciplines together into cutting-edge new programs and degree paths that will make our students stand out above graduates elsewhere.
- General Education — Shape the Valpo student experience for the needs of today and tomorrow and fully integrate leadership and service to properly prepare our students for their future.
- Strengthen and Amplify the Arts and Humanities — Further strengthen the arts and humanities to be force multipliers in their own right with robust academic programs.
- Valpo Online — Thoughtfully grow within the online space to meet a market need and fulfill an educational opportunity, allowing the University to expand the reach of a Valpo education farther than ever before.
Learn Initiative Overview
Year 1 Progress
In Progress
Valpo Connect
Creating a thriving, dynamic collaboration center and think tank for all majors on campus that draws disciplines together into cutting-edge new programs and degree paths that will make our students stand out above graduates elsewhere
Year One:
Develop the Cohort Model of Student Learning around one focus on climate and sustainability.
Success (3–5 years)
Build out the cohort model to include at least on other track on another topic (e.g., global justice); Incentivize colleges to develop programs nimbly that respond to changing needs of the disciplines and marketplace; Make Valpo a destination for igniting students’ passions and finding the right major for them (programs for exploratory/undecided students)
Executive Sponsor: Kevin Goebbert
Owner: Joseph Bognar and Pete Johnson
Year 1 Progress
In Progress
Reimagined Education
Shaping the Valpo Student Experience for the needs of today and tomorrow
Year One:
Develop new learning outcomes tied to the integration of leadership and service. Begin to re-imagine the first-year experience, also through this lens.
Success (3–5 years):
Create a first-year experience that is exciting for students and energizing for faculty to teach in ways that enhance belonging and retention; reimagine the general education curricula through an intentional focus on equipping students to learn, serve, lead, and thrive throughout their lives
Executive Sponsor: Lissa Yogan
Owner: Carter Hansen, Lisa Jennings, and Michael Chikeleze
Year 1 Progress
In Progress
Strengthen and Amplify the Arts and Humanities
Strengthening Music, the Arts, and Humanities to be a force multiplier in their own right, with robust majors and programs
Year One:
Establish a task force of innovative faculty and staff to work quickly to develop strategies for building a collective identity for the various arts and humanities units
Success (3–5 years)
Ensure that there is a clear and central place for the humanities and arts context in all of our programs
Executive Sponsor: Jeni Prough
Owner: Betsy Burrow-Flak