Reenvisioning the Kent Core

Dear Colleagues,

I am happy to announce the launch of a new strategic planning process in the Division of Academic Affairs to reenvision the Kent Core, the university’s general education program. The planning process will be guided by a steering committee comprised of faculty, administrators and students from around the University.

This multi-year process will begin over the next several months and will include opportunities for our University community to assist with the development of this reenvisioning by providing critical insight and perspectives in considering the future of the Kent Core. Key questions to be answered from this process include:

• What is the significance of a general education program and how do we ensure that the Kent Core delivers on the significant values we espouse?
• What can we do to make our Kent Core distinct and aligned with our own university mission and core values?
• What are the experiences associated with the Kent Core that are critical for Kent State students?
• How do we better align the Kent Core with academic majors? 

In the coming weeks, you will receive invitations to participate in departmental and college conversations regarding the Kent Core. Please encourage colleagues in each of your divisions and colleges to take part in these opportunities when they arise. The inclusivity of this process is paramount in ensuring that we have a strategic plan for the Kent Core that we can all be proud of. 

My best,

Melody Tankersley, PhD
Senior Vice President and Provost

 Message from Co-Chairs Manfred van Dulmen, Ph.D. and Alison Smith, Ph.D.​

Dear Colleagues:

Nearly all public universities in the U.S. have a general education program which provides students with (a) a foundation in liberal education, (b) fundamental skills to be successful in their major and (c) key competencies to become successful global citizens. Kent State University’s general education program, the Kent Core, is distributed in thirty-six credits across different core areas. All Kent State University undergraduate students are required to complete the Kent Core. A general set of university wide general education requirements was established at Kent State University in 1983.

We now have an opportunity to reenvision our Kent Core program to ensure it meets the goals of general education, is consistent with Kent State University’s mission and vision, and prepares students for success. We look forward working with you on this strategic planning process over the next few years.

Fall 2023 Update PowerPoint coming soon.

Model Sprint Team Roster

•  David Dees (chair)
• Jenny Marcinkiewicz (co-chair)
• Robin Vande – Zande (co-chair)
• Andrew Barnes
• Tina Bhargava
• Laurie Camp
• Neil Cooper
• Ben Hollis
• Joanna Liedel
• Shelly Marshall
• James Redfern
• Renee Roll
• Lana Whitehead
• Kathy Zarges

Model Sprint Team Advisory Committee

• Craig Berger
• AJ Conway
• Jen Cunningham
• Carla Goar
• Vicki Gutierez
• Ellie Hansen
• Jay Hays
• Jonghan Hyun
• Jennifer McCullough
• Dirk Remley
• Liz Sinclair
• Deb Smith
• Melissa Zullo

The three subcommittees of the Re-envisioning Kent Core steering committee accomplished a great deal this year, including a focus on developing:

• Distinctiveness – Recommendations regarding a Kent State distinctive general education program that is consistent with the university’s mission, vision, and values.
• Design – Recommendations regarding the organization and structure of the general education program. 
• Budgetary Reform – Recommendations regarding the budgeting model for the general education program.

Access the Report Highlights

• Guidelines & Procedures for Academic Program Review, Ohio Department of Higher Education
• Kent Core (General Education Requirement)
• Kent Core
• American Association of Colleges and Universities
• What Liberal Education Looks Like, AAC&U

History of Kent State’s General Education Requirement

1983: Kent State establishes the General Education Requirements. Previously, each college had separate and different general education requirements. The structure for the university-wide requirement is modeled after the one in the College of Arts and Sciences.

1985: The General Education Requirements is renamed the Liberal Education Requirements.

1990: The state-wide Ohio Transfer Module is implemented, patterned after Kent State’s general education requirements. The Ohio Transfer Module (now called Ohio Transfer 36) comprises 36-40 credit hours from five categories: English Composition (minimum 3 credit hours); Mathematics, Statistics and Logic (minimum 3 semester); Arts and Humanities (minimum 6 credit hours); Social and Behavioral Sciences (minimum 6 credit hours); and Natural Sciences (minimum 6 credit hours).

1999: The Liberal Education Requirements is reduced in total credit hours, and more course options added.

2006: The Liberal Education Requirements is revised to comply with a state mandate to align with the Ohio Transfer Module, specifically in the mathematics (foreign languages removed) and natural sciences (one lab required) categories. The mathematics category is renamed, and the Additional category is created to allow two courses from separate categories to be applied.

2010: The Liberal Education Requirements is revised to remove the restriction that students’ major courses cannot count toward the requirement. The requirement is renamed the Kent Core.

2011: Following a mandate from the state, an abbreviated Kent Core is required for all applied associate degrees (e.g., A.A.B., A.A.S., A.T.S.).

2013: The Kent Core is revised to allow courses from any category to count toward the Additional category.

2021: For the past 10 years, Faculty Senate has attempted to minimize growth of the Kent Core by requiring any new additions to be accompanied by removals, except for mathematics courses mandated by the state.

University Catalog Kent Core (General Education Requirement)​

• Denise Bartell, Ph.D., Associate Provost
• Charmaine Crawford, Ph.D., Associate Professor
• Edward Dauterich, Ph.D., Professor
• David Dees, Ph.D., Associate Professor
• Claudia Gomez, Ph.D., Associate Professor
• Mary Kutchin, MSN, RN, Associate Lecturer
• Jenny Marcinkiewicz, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Director
• Mandy Munro-Stasiuk, Ph.D., Dean 
• Liz Piatt, Ph.D., Interim Dean
• C. Lockwood Reynolds, Ph.D., Associate Professor
• Alison Smith, Ph.D., Dean, (Co-Chair)
• Manfred van Dulmen, Ph.D., Senior Associate Provost and Dean, (Co-Chair)
• Robin Vande Zande, Ph.D., Professor
• Sean Veney, Ph.D., Associate Professor
• Kathy Zarges, Assistant Dean, Advising Student Success and Licensure
• Brandon Allen, Director, Undergraduate Student Senate
• Sydney Maller, Senator, Undergraduate Student Senate