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West Virginia University Office of the Provost

Fall 2025
General Education Survey
Summary Results

Executive Summary

A survey of 1,326 WVU stakeholders indicated critical thinking/problem solving, broad base knowledge, communication/career/personal skills, and hands-on learning experiences were perceived as the most essential components of general education. Students, faculty, and alumni/employers indicated distinct priorities and open-ended responses exposed tensions (e.g., breadth of knowledge vs. focus in college/major) that will need to be considered.

Purpose

The general education survey was intended to solicit input, feedback, and guidance from the broader West Virginia University community regarding the future of general education at WVU. It engaged diverse stakeholders including students, faculty, alumni, staff, and employers, so that we, as a WVU community, could identify top priorities and gain a better understand of what will best meet student needs moving into the future.

1,326
Total survey respondents across 7 stakeholder groups

~25%
Of total credits recommended for general education (24.92%)

Survey open 11/5-12/15/2025 – featured in ENews, sent via direct emails

Who Took the Survey?

1,326
Total Responses

552 Undergraduate students (20-28% per class year)

441 Faculty (52% tenured/tenure track, 27% teaching faculty),All colleges represented, 43% have taught gen ed

152 Staff, 50% academic staff, 50% non-academic staff ,Advisers and department/college staff top groups represented

215 Alumni

68 Administrators

47 Employers

94 Other (e.g., parents, retirees, advisory board members)

What Did People Say?

24.92%
of all credits should be dedicated to general education

Top Priorities for General Education

#1:

Creating Well-rounded Students with a Broad Base of Skill and Knowledge

34%

34% identified as top priority

#2:

Preparing Students for Success in Their Careers

29%

29% identified as top priority

#3:

Giving Students Skills to be Lifelong Learners

18%

18% identified as top priority

Most Important Components of General Education

#1:

Learning How to Learn

27%

27% identified as top choice

#2:

Alternative Learning Experiences

(e.g., experiential/service learning, research)

27%

27% identified as first or second choice

#3:

Basic Knowledge of Various Fields of Study and Broadening Horizons

24%

24% identified as top or second choice

Most Important Skills

#1:

Problem Solving Skills

38%

38% identified as top choice

#2:

Effective Communication

22%

22% identified as top choice

#3:

People Skills/Empathy

13%

13% identified as top choice

What did Open-ended responses indicate?

Common Educational Experiences

Types of common educational experiences all WVU students should have:

  • Written and verbal communication skills
  • Experiential learning
  • Financial literacy
  • Life skills

Single Most Important Component

The single most important component of general education:

  • Critical Thinking
  • Breadth of knowledge
  • Written and verbal communication skills

STUDENTS

Prioritize fewer requirements and higher perceived relevance

FACULTY

Prioritize breadth of knowledge and interdisciplinarity

ALUMNI/EMPLOYERS

Prioritize skills and workplace readiness

Though there was significant convergence, there were also several consistent areas of tension that will need to be navigated moving forward…

Breadth of Knowledge VS More Focus in College/Major

Ensuring Rigor VS Making Sure Content is Accessible

Firm and Consistent Course Requirements VS Flexible Student Choices

Requisite Academic Knowledge VS Career and/or Life Skills

Next Steps

We will work with all members of the WVU community to find pathways that provide a broad base of academic, life, and career learning that has practical utility and balances rigor with student accessibility and relevance. The WVU community identified critical thinking/problem solving, broad knowledge base, communication/career/personal skills, and hands-on learning experiences as the most essential components.

Share Your Thoughts

Email the Committee