The Plan for Graduating Students

Students graduating from Winona State should possess the characteristics of a liberally educated person: (A) Competency in basic skills, (B) competence in their chosen discipline, (C) skilled in critical thinking and problem solving, (D) sensitivity to others, (E) appreciation for aesthetic and cultural differences (F) appreciation and understanding of different value systems, and (G) skills and the desire to be life-long learners.

Goal 1: To insure that all graduating students have a core of knowledge and skills, an awareness of the professional ethics of their selected fields. and an ability to independently integrate and apply new information.

Each discipline should outline specific outcomes for their majors and minors. Multiple means of assessment should be explored. Some options include portfolios, standardized tests, and performance on specific tasks.

In addition, students need to be able to demonstrate their knowledge and higher order thinking skills in a faculty-directed capstone experience specific to their discipline. A capstone experience may include a senior seminar, research paper, senior thesis, or a structured internship. Such capstone experiences also allow students to demonstrate a global awareness of issues embedded in their major fields of study.

Goal 2: To create learning communities within and across disciplines characterized by a great deal of interaction among students and between students and faculty.

Students need to feel part of the Winona State University and Winona State-Rochester Communities. Winona State needs to encourage the creation of both discipline-specific and cross-discipline learning communities which allow students and faculty the opportunity to interact formally and informally outside of the classroom. Academically oriented clubs and organizations need to be supported and faculty need to be encouraged to facilitate and participate in these activities with students. Nontraditional students, students of color, and international students should be members of these learning communities.

The sense of community experienced by students while attending the university should also be encouraged after graduation. Alumni can be vital ambassadors for recruiting new students and as potential contributors.

Goal 3: To insure that all graduating students are scientifically and mathematically literate, able to communicate orally and in writing, and able to read and understand complex texts. In addition, graduating students should possess higher order thinking skills, an understanding of global issues, be aware of and sensitive to their own and others' arts and cultures, prepared for life long learning and be responsible citizens.

Preparing students to function in the 21st century requires a global education that emphasizes not only a knowledge base but also the intellectual skills to keep pace with the rapidly changing world.

Goal 4: To insure that graduating students who choose to pursue graduate education will be well prepared.

With our increasingly complex society, more of our students will elect to pursue graduate degrees as an opportunity for further specialization in their chosen field. Our graduating students must be prepared to cope with the rigors of graduate education, having been provided with the skills and tools necessary to allow each student wishing to pursue an advanced degree the opportunity for a successful graduate experience.

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