Institutional Learning Outcomes
Linking our Institutional Aspirations
to the “Liberal Education, America’s
Promise” Initiative
Proposal
• Adopt LEAP learning outcomes for our
institutional learning outcomes
• Use LEAP rubrics to assess our success at
helping students to achieve the
institutional learning outcomes
Rationale
• LEAP is a nationally recognized model for
articulating the goals of a liberal arts education:
The Essential Learning Outcomes
• LEAP envisions a liberal arts education as
essential for all students
• LEAP has developed rubrics: No need to reinvent
the wheel
• LEAP’s Essential Learning Outcomes cover almost
every goal we have in our institutional aspirations
Current institutional aspirations
Students will:
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develop more refined critical thinking skills, including advanced analytical, logical and quantitative
reasoning abilities as well as excellent problem-solving skills.
effective communicative abilities, including listening, observing, speaking, writing and dialoguing.
become active readers with an enhanced ability to carefully, closely and thoughtfully read a range of texts.
acquire field or discipline specific knowledge and they will understand disciplinary modes of intellectual
inquiry.
develop an interdisciplinary and integrative perspective as they recognize, explore, appreciate and engage
the interconnections between disciplines.
develop advanced research abilities and they will demonstrate improvements in their information and
media literacy.
learn how to use appropriate technologies.
acquire and demonstrate competencies, skills, attributes and values necessary for successful participation
in a diverse, pluralistic and increasingly interdependent world.
be able to work effectively in teams.
strive to be well-balanced persons capable of making thoughtful and healthy choices.
be able to apply theory in relevant, appropriate and reflective ways.
LEAP
• Liberal Education, America’s Promise
• Initiative from the AACU to promote a liberal
arts education for all students
• Essential learning outcomes
• Examples of curricular projects aligned with
the outcomes
• Adaptable rubrics to assess student work
To prepare for the challenges of the 21st century,
students should gain:
Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical
and Natural World
• Through study in the sciences and mathematics,
social sciences, humanities, histories, languages,
and the arts
• Focused by engagement with big questions, both
contemporary and enduring
To prepare for the challenges of the 21st century,
students should gain:
Intellectual and Practical Skills, Including
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Inquiry and analysis
Critical and creative thinking
Written and oral communication
Quantitative literacy
Information literacy
Teamwork and problem solving
• Practiced extensively, across the curriculum, in the
context of progressively more challenging problems,
projects, and standards for performance
To prepare for the challenges of the 21st century,
students should gain:
Personal and Social Responsibility, Including
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Civic knowledge and engagement—local and global
Intercultural knowledge and competence
Ethical reasoning and action
Foundations and skills for lifelong learning
• Anchored through active involvement with
diverse communities and real-world challenges
To prepare for the challenges of the 21st century,
students should gain:
Integrative and Applied Learning, Including
• Synthesis and advanced accomplishment across
general and specialized studies
• Demonstrated through the application of
knowledge, skills, and responsibilities to new
settings and complex problems.