Publication Date

1-22-2026

Document Type

Agendas and Minutes

Abstract

The Academic Council met on January 22, 2026, under the leadership of Dr. William Flora to review consent items, receive reports, and hear academic updates. The council approved the inactivation of the MALS Archival Studies concentration due to minimal enrollment and the relocation of the associated certificate, the discontinuation of the Allied Health MS program following a decade of declining enrollment, and the renaming of the Master of Professional Studies to the Master of Leadership Studies to better reflect student interest. Enrollment updates highlighted strong undergraduate growth, a small graduate decline, and retention patterns consistent with historical trends, with most attrition occurring between spring and fall rather than within the academic year. Discussions emphasized factors affecting student persistence and the anticipated benefits of the forthcoming One Stop office. A detailed Compass Core update reported expanding general education offerings, ongoing challenges in the Critical Thinking category, slower-than-expected micro‑credential development, and robust assessment participation yielding over 12,500 rubric ratings. Announcements included upcoming teaching celebrations, Common Read events featuring John Green and Vijay Gupta, concerns about declining international student interest in studying in the U.S., and reminders about Bowen Research Day and strategic plan town halls. The meeting concluded at 9:28 a.m.*

*This abstract was generated with AI assistance using Microsoft 365 Copilot and has been checked and deemed reliable. 

Download

Share

COinS