University recognized for leadership in undergraduate education ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan is one of 16 colleges and universities recognized by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) for their visionary campus-wide innovations in undergraduate education.

Conducted under the auspices of the Association’s Greater Expectations Initiative, a rigorous national search identified colleges, universities, and community colleges that have put in place stimulating educational experiences for students. Greater Expectations is a far-reaching, multi-year initiative to define outcomes of a 21st century undergraduate education and to discover strategies for achieving them. The Pew Charitable Trusts and Carnegie Corporation of New York are underwriting the work.

U-M is one of the “Leadership Institutions” in the Greater Expectations Initiative. “In their applications—corroborated by thorough campus visits—the Leadership Institutions demonstrated strong commitment to a liberal arts education relevant for our contemporary world,” said Andrea Leskes, vice president at AAC&U and director of Greater Expectations. “Each offers innovative programs and a systemic approach to improve learning by all students.”

According to the AAC&U, the selected schools were characterized by extensive innovations in their curriculum, pedagogy and organizational structure. At all of them the campus culture supports undergraduates both within and outside the classroom. Many have linked the liberal arts and pre-professional study. Others offer students the opportunity to “learn by doing” through off-campus work in community projects or internships. Most strongly emphasize critical thinking about complex problems, effective communication, and the ability to contribute to a diverse society as important outcomes of a powerfully lasting undergraduate education.

“Our participation in this project clearly indicates that the University continues to take a leadership role in American higher education,” said Lester Monts, U-M associate provost for academic affairs.

“By working within this consortium of select colleges and universities, we hope to add new meaning to undergraduate education. Sustainable innovation is one of the hallmarks of this initiative. Creating a diverse intellectual environment that is conducive to student achievement requires an ongoing search for new best practices and curriculum designs, including the continued expansion of cross-disciplinary opportunities. The Greater Expectations Initiative will provide a means for sustaining a dialogue surrounding these issues,” Monts said. Monts and Constance Cook, director of the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT), are the U-M liaisons to the Greater Expectations projects.

Leadership Institutions chosen to represent the range of higher educational types nationwide, were: Central Connecticut State University; Colgate University; Duke University; the Evergreen State College; Hampshire College; Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis; King’s College (Pa.); Prince George’s Community College; Richland College; State University of New York-Stony Brook; United States Air Force Academy; University of Hawai’i-Kapi’olani Community College; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; University of Nebraska; University of Southern California; Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Association of American Colleges and UniversitiesGreater ExpectationsLester MontsConstance Cook