Volume 5, Issue 4
In This Issue
- New 2025-26 GEP Worksheet
- GEP Track at the Summer Faculty Development Institute
- GEP Assessment Updates
- Celebrating GEP Faculty: Innovation Award Winners and Certificate of Engagement Recipients
- Submit a Proposal to Teach a Study Abroad GEP Course
- Recognizing GEP Leadership
- A Note From Mandy Pacheco
Check Out the 2025-26 GEP Worksheet
The 2025–26 GEP Worksheet is now available and can be accessed on the GEP webpage and from the Faculty Learning Webcourse. It applies to students who begin to take classes at UCF in Summer 2025 or later.
This version is based on the 2025–2026 Undergraduate Catalog, which will be officially available in July 2025. Please refer to the worksheet when advising students or planning general education course schedules for the upcoming academic year.
Faculty and academic success coaches are encouraged to review the updated worksheet, which includes changes to both course offerings and programmatic structure.
Looking Ahead to Summer Conference
The General Education Program (GEP) track at this year’s Summer Faculty Development Institute is packed with inspiration, innovation, and practical takeaways.
Highlights Include:
- A Service-Learning showcase featuring campus and nonprofit partnerships
- A session on supporting transfer student success
- A deep dive into building community in large online classes
- A sneak peek at Pegasus Path 2.0, UCF’s interactive degree-planning tool, with an opportunity to give feedback
- Steal My Idea! – quick, creative strategies from fellow instructors
- A closing session to reflect, connect, and plan for the year ahead
Join us for one session or many! You’re always welcome, even if you’re not officially part of the GEP track. Let’s keep the conversation going and continue shaping the future of general education at UCF.
GEP Assessment Updates
BY ANNABELLE CONROY, PH.D., GEP FACULTY FELLOW
We are immensely grateful to everyone who participated in the spring term assessment process. Your commitment, despite having many other responsibilities, is truly appreciated. The results from the 2023-24 assessment data highlight the remarkable engagement and effectiveness within the GEP community, showcasing significant improvements at all levels. This progress is a testament to the dedication and talent of our exceptional faculty.
Thank you for your unwavering support and contributions to our students’ learning journey!
Although the March 28 deadline has passed, there’s still a chance to complete this requirement retroactively! Simply attach the learning outcome and rubric to an assignment.
For detailed instructions on how to assess a course, visit the General Education Faculty Learning Community. If you need any further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out! I will be glad to assist you in completing this requirement.
Looking ahead, please remember that this requirement needs to be met by the Withdrawal deadline each term. It’s helpful to start planning early to ensure the assignment is set up and to seek help if needed. Note that the assessment does not need to be applied during the summer terms.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already submitted the assignment. Your contributions are invaluable as we assess the GEP and prepare for the accreditation process. 🙌
If you have any questions, please email me or the GEP mailbox.
Faculty Recognition
Celebrating Innovation in General Education
Congratulations GEP Innovation Award Winners!
We’re excited to recognize the recipients of the inaugural GEP Innovation Award, honoring creative approaches that enhance student learning and engagement in general education courses.
Individual Award Winners
- Ashley Wilt, School of Global Health Management and Informatics – HSA 2117: Navigating Medical Advocacy
Students explore patient advocacy through multimedia resources and guided reflection to build confidence in future healthcare decision-making. - Melissa Pompos Mansfield, Department of Writing and Rhetoric – ENC 1101: Reflective ePortfolio Assessment
A scaffolded ePortfolio process encourages ongoing revision, reflection, and alignment with course outcomes, transforming assessment into a semester-long metacognitive journey.
Group Award Winners
- Alicia Duffy & Kristina Tollefson, Department of History & School of Performing Arts – AMH 2010 & AMH 2020: Bringing History to Life Through Costumes
A cross-disciplinary collaboration that integrates historical costuming into American history courses, offering tactile, visual experiences that make the past feel present for today’s students. - Amanda Groff & Sarah Freidline, Department of Anthropology – ANT 2511: Virtual Labs in Online Anthropology
Immersive 360º virtual labs replicate hands-on learning in an online setting, helping students engage with complex anatomical and evolutionary concepts.
This year’s applications showcased the innovation, care, and student-centered thinking that define UCF’s general education community. A huge thank you to the Awards and Professional Development Committees for their thoughtful work in reviewing submissions and selecting our winners.
Interested in applying?
Look for the call for proposals next spring. We can’t wait to see what you create!
Commitment to General Education
2024-25 GEP Certificate of Engagement Recipients!
Please join us in celebrating the following faculty for earning the GEP Certificate of Engagement, recognizing their outstanding dedication to general education and student success:
- Annabelle Conroy
- Alicia Duffy
- Ashley Moreshead
- Adam Parrish
- Xin Sheng
- Ashley Wilt
Ready to showcase your commitment? The GEP Certificate of Engagement is open to UCF faculty, adjuncts, and graduate students who have taught at least one GEP course between Summer 2024 and Spring 2025, and participated in at least three GEP-sponsored professional development events during that time.
Eligible activities include workshops, webinars, Bites & Banter, Afternoon Tea with the GEP, assessment drop-ins, and Summer Institute sessions. The certificate is a valuable addition to your teaching portfolio, annual evaluations, promotion files, and award applications.
Applications are open through May 7 (the final day of the Summer Institute). Don’t miss the chance to be recognized!
Teach a GEP Course Abroad in Summer 2026
BY OLIVER MCSURLEY, STUDY ABROAD DIRECTOR
UCF Abroad has announced a call for proposals from faculty interested in teaching abroad in Summer 2026 at one of three International Center sites: Barcelona, Spain/San Jose, or Costa Rica/Rome, Italy.
With the goals of increasing accessibility to study abroad and keeping students on track toward timely degree completion, UCF Abroad aims to offer GEP course options and is actively seeking faculty collaborators. Some examples include Introduction to Environmental Science in Costa Rica, History of Western Art in Rome, and Introduction to Sociology in Barcelona.
For more information about the International Centers initiative, the program proposal process, and questions, please reach out to Oliver McSurley, Study Abroad Director.
Thank You For Your Leadership
Faculty Fellow, Co-Leads, Committee Members, and Graduate Research Assistants!
As the academic year wraps up, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the many faculty and staff who have contributed their time, expertise, and energy to strengthening the General Education Program (GEP).
A special thank you goes to our GEP Co-Leads, who serve as the go-to contacts for each foundation area. They meet regularly to brainstorm ideas, share faculty feedback, support assessment, and help shape GEP initiatives that enhance student learning and success.
- Communication Foundation: Nikolas Gardiakos (Department of Writing and Rhetoric) and Adam Parrish (Nicholson School of Communication and Media)
- Cultural & Historical Foundation: Stacey DiLiberto (Department of Philosophy) and Alicia Duffy (Department of History)
- Interpretation & Evaluation Foundation: Nora Underwood-Caputo (Department of Economics) and Lana Williams (Department of Anthropology)
- Knowledge Application Foundation: Bo Chen (Department of Physics) and Donovan Dixon (Department of Chemistry)
- Problem Solving Foundation: Rachid Ait Maalem Lahcen (Department of Mathematics) and Lori Dunlop-Pyle (Department of Mathematics)
We’re also incredibly grateful to Annabelle Conroy, our Faculty Fellow, whose thoughtful leadership and guidance have been central to advancing GEP assessment efforts. Additionally, we thank our graduate research assistants Steven Freeman and Vernon Headley for leading focus groups to better understand student perceptions of the GEP, bringing vital student voices into the conversation.
Finally, to everyone who served on a GEP task force, committee, or focus group this year—thank you. Your work is essential to the growth, innovation, and strength of the GEP. It truly takes a village, and we’re grateful to be in this one with you.
A Note of Appreciation
Dear Faculty Colleagues,
I wanted to share some bittersweet news; I’ve accepted a new role as a lecturer in the soon-to-be School of Interdisciplinary Studies here at UCF and will be transitioning out of my position as Instructional Specialist for the General Education Program in August.
These past two years have been an incredible journey, and I’m so proud of all we’ve accomplished together. From strengthening assessment practices to deepening faculty collaboration, this community has built something truly special, and I’m grateful to have been part of it.
While I’m excited for this next chapter, I’ll truly miss the work we’ve done. I know the next person stepping into this role will be joining a strong and supportive community, and I hope you’ll extend to them the same generous welcome that made my time here so rewarding.
Thank you for your partnership, your support, and your unwavering commitment to our students. I’m not going far, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate in new ways.
With deep appreciation,
Mandy Pacheco