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Submitted by: Suzanne Massey, smassey@uca.edu on 06/08/2026

Dear Campus Community,

Following a year-long effort, the BT����Core Council voted unanimously at its May meeting to adopt newly revised goals and assessment rubrics for general education at UCA. This accomplishment marks a significant step forward in updating our general education curriculum, the BT����Core.

The Revision Process
This revision process was initiated in response to our recent 10-year self-study and external review of the BT����Core. Throughout the 2025–2026 academic year, four subcommittees of the BT����Core Council worked to refine the existing assessment rubrics. To ensure the new framework accurately reflects our shared educational vision, the Council engaged in a rigorous feedback process, distributing campus-wide surveys and hosting town hall meetings across campus.

Key Changes to the BT����Core
The newly approved rubrics simplify the BT����Core by consolidating each competency area under a single goal and a single rubric. These revisions better encapsulate the foundational learning experiences that our campus community recognizes as essential to undergraduate education.

The updated general education framework is organized across four core competency areas:

• Effective Communication
• Critical Inquiry
• Responsible Living
• Global Learning (formerly Diversity)

The finalized rubrics are posted on the BT����Core website (/core/assessment/).

Sincere Thanks to Our Committee Members
The BT����Core Council extends its gratitude to the campus community for your valuable contributions and feedback throughout this process.
I would like to extend my personal thanks to the members of the BT����Core Council subcommittees listed below. They dedicated a great deal of time and energy to drafting, revising, and collaborating with stakeholders across campus to accomplish this task. The success of this endeavor is a testament to their dedication and commitment to this university and our students.

Sincerely,
Jake Held
Assistant Provost for Academic Assessment and General Education/ Professor of Philosophy

BT����Core Council Subcommittee Members

Global Learning

• Patricia Smith (Honors 2026)
• Amy Baldwin (FYS Coordinator)
• Allison Freed (CoE 2027)
• Jacob Bundrick (CoB 2027)

Responsible Living

• Denise Demers (CHBS 2026)
• Cheryl Massey (CHBS 2028)
• Stephanie Watson (CoB 2028)
• Mark Mullenbach (CAHSS 2026)

Effective Communication

• Saifur Bhuiyan (CoB 2026)
• Brandy Walthall (CoE 2026)
• Ashley Wilson (CoE 2028)
• Betty Hubbard (CHBS 2027)

Critical Inquiry

• Sharon Mason (CAHSS 2028)
• Marsha Massey (CoSE 2026)
• Mick Yoder (CoSE 2028)
• Stephen O’Connell (CoSE 2027)
• Patrick Casey (CAHSS 2027)

/core/assessment/

Submitted by: Michael Mills, mmills@uca.edu on 06/04/2026

Hi, everyone,
I’m pleased to share that the sabbatical leave review process has been updated to provide a clearer application and evaluation pathway for faculty. The revised materials include a more detailed guide with specific guidance and examples, along with a clear rubric so you know exactly how applications will be evaluated.

You can access all updated materials, including the new guide, application, and timeline, on the Provost’s Publications & Information page at the Sabbatical Leave Website.

We’re sending this now because we know many of you use the summer to work on applications and professional plans. We want to make sure you have the most current materials in hand before that work begins.

If you are considering applying for sabbatical leave for Summer/Fall 2027 or Spring 2028, please note that requests are due to your department chair by September 18, 2026. The full timeline is available here: /academicaffairs/files/2026/06/SLRC-Timeline-2026-2027.pdf

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the process or the updated materials.

Best,
Michael

/academicaffairs/sabbatical-leave/

Submitted by: Jennifer Brewer, jbrewer1@uca.edu on 06/03/2026

☀️ Teaching this Summer? CETAL Office Hours are Here to Help with Brightspace Questions and More

Starting a summer course can come with a lot of moving pieces. Add in a move to Brightspace, and we know there will be questions!

To help support you during the start of the summer terms, CETAL will offer Drop-in Zoom Office Hours where you can connect with us in real time for questions related to teaching and learning.

Whether you need a quick answer, a second set of eyes on your course, assistance with course design, or best practices with an instructional tool, we’re happy to help.

Questions don’t have to wait for office hours! You can also reach CETAL anytime by email at cetal@uca.edu.

For more technical support issues — course setup, merging/crosslisting, login problems, missing content, or tools not functioning properly — please contact desupport@uca.edu.

Summer 1 Zoom Office Hours

Zoom Link:

• May 29 — 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
• June 1 — 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
• June 2 — 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Summer 2 Zoom Office Hours

Zoom Link:

• July 2 — 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
• July 6 — 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
• July 7 — 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

 

Submitted by: Jennifer Brewer, jbrewer1@uca.edu on 06/02/2026

Top Hat Summer Camp

The Curiosity-Driven Classroom

June 18 & July 16

1:00–3:30 PM ET

In the age of AI, the real challenge isn’t getting answers from students. It’s getting them to engage and think.

Join us for the 2026 edition of Top Hat Summer Camp, a two-part webinar series focused on designing learning experiences that drive curiosity, participation, and deeper thinking. Grounded in three core pillars—mattering, participating, and thinking—you’ll explore how small shifts in course design can lead to more meaningful, lasting learning.

Featuring keynotes from Dr. Todd Zakrajsek and Dr. Derek Bruff, along with faculty practitioners, this series offers practical, research-informed strategies you can apply right away.