Purpose
The General Education Advisory Council is a standing committee of the College whose purpose is to review, advise, and therefore maintain the integrity of the General Education program at Florida SouthWestern State College.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the General Education Council to:
• Create a high-quality General Education program for students at the College that reflects the values and mission established by the faculty at Florida SouthWestern State College, meets the standards of the State of Florida, and aligns with the criteria set forth by the College’s governing accreditation body. • Develop a plan for implementing and monitoring the integrity of the General Education program. • Continuously review the alignment between General Education courses and the General Education program goals. • Establish a collegial process that encourages and maximizes participation by faculty in the development and delivery of courses to support the mission of the General Education program.
The Florida SouthWestern State College General Education Program
The mission of Florida SouthWestern State College’s General Education Program is to provide students with transdisciplinary learning experiences that empower them to be inquisitive, active, informed and ethical citizens. Our innovative curriculum promotes collaboration and communication in diverse settings, encourages greater understanding of the relationship between individuals and their natural surroundings and cultivates intellectual curiosity that leads to independent research, creative problem-solving and meaningful engagement with the global community. We provide the framework for students to acquire both discipline-specific professional skills necessary for occupational success and a broad spectrum of skills in critical, creative and scientific problem-solving that will allow them to contribute in multiple real world settings.
Students who successfully complete our General Education Program will . . .
Communicate clearly in a variety of modes and media.
Research and examine academic and non-academic information, resources, and evidence.
Evaluate and utilize mathematical principles, technology, scientific and quantitative data.
Analyze and create individual and collaborative works of art, literature, and performance.
Think critically about questions to yield meaning and value.
Investigate and engage in the transdisciplinary applications of research, learning, and knowledge.
Visualize and engage the world from different historical, social, religious, and cultural approaches.
Engage meanings of active citizenship in one’s community, nation, and the world.
Prof. Jamie Votraw (Lee/Charlotte) - Chair - Faculty
Membership
| Council Member (campus) | Representation | Member Type |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. Jamie Votraw (Lee/Charlotte) | Chair | Faculty |
| Dr. Suzanne Biedenbach (Lee) | English | Faculty |
| Prof. Dani Peterson (Lee) | Communication Studies and Foreign Languages & Curriculum Committee | Faculty |
| Dr. Elijah Pritchett (Lee) | Humanities & Fine Arts/Humanities | Faculty |
| Prof. Anthony Valenti (Lee) | Library Science | Faculty |
| Prof. Don Ransford (Lee) | Mathematics & One Theme – One College (OTOC) | Faculty |
| Dr. Esmaeel Samaliazad (Lee) | Natural Sciences | Faculty |
| Prof. Randy Moffett (Collier) | Social Sciences/Economics | Faculty |
| Prof. Kenneth Belcher (Lee) | School of Business & Technology | Faculty |
| Dr. Joyce Rollins (Lee/La Belle) | School of Education | Faculty |
| Prof. Colleen Moore (Collier) | School of Health Professions & Learning Assessment Committee | Faculty |
| Dr. Mary Ellen Schultz (Lee) | Academic Success | Faculty |
| Prof. Steve Chase (Lee) | Humanities & Fine Arts/Fine Arts | Faculty |
| Prof. Joel Reinking (HG) | Social Sciences | Faculty |
| Prof. Scott Courtney (Lee) | General Member | Faculty |
| Dr. Cara Minardi Powers (Lee) | General Member | Faculty |
| Dr. Elizabeth Schott | Dean, School of Pure & Applied Sciences | Ex-Officio |
| Dr. Brian Page | Dean, School of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences | Ex-Officio |
| Dr. Martin McClinton | Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs | Ex-Officio |
| Alex Schimel (Lee) | Director of Advising | Ex-Officio |
| Dr. Rebecca Harris | Assistant VP Collegewide Curriculum and Academic Enhancement | Ex-Officio |