News

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will join the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) LEAP Challenge case study project.

The LEAP (Liberal Education and America’s Promise) challenge is about preparing students to advance their learning by solving complex problems through high-impact practices such as research, collaborative projects and experiential learning. Participating institutions will work with the AAC&U to develop a set of case studies underscoring how they are addressing the LEAP challenge.

“SIUE’s general education reform was formed by the LEAP initiative,” said Parviz Ansari, SIUE provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Our senior assignment, and elements of our curriculum and assessment philosophy are in alignment with the LEAP goals.”

Students are to engage in signature work that will prepare them to integrate and apply their learning to a significant project with meaning to the student and society.

SIUE and 12 other institutions will be featured as LEAP Challenge case studies, including:

• Bard College 
• Case Western Reserve University 
• DePaul University 
• Hampshire College
• LaGuardia Community College/City University of New York 
• Luther College  
• Portland State University 
• Salt Lake Community College  
• Santa Clara University 
• University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh 
• Wagner College 
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute 

 Ansari and Associate Provost Denise Cobb will participate in the project meeting and attend the Symposium on LEAP Challenge and the Equity Imperative during January 2016.

The LEAP Challenge

LEAP responds to the changing demands of the 21st century - demands for more college-educated workers and more engaged and informed citizens. Today, and in the future, college graduates need higher levels of learning and knowledge as well as strong intellectual and practical skills to navigate this more demanding environment successfully and responsibly. LEAP challenges the traditional practice of providing liberal education to some students and narrow training to others. The LEAP Challenge is designed to flexibly allow all students, whatever their institution or chosen field, to gain this blended model of liberal education and the outcomes so important for success and well being in today’s world.

Photo:  Dr. Parviz Ansari, SIUE provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.