The University of Wyoming (UW) University Studies Program (USP) was first instituted in 1991. Since its inception in 1991, the USP has been revised in 2003, 2015 and is currently undergoing this proposed “Next Generation” review for launch in fall of 2026. This site serves as a central clearinghouse for the NextGenUSP Committee's ongoing work, which is guided by UW Regulation 2-105 as well as the committee's values for transparency, dialogue, realistic awareness of constraints, intentional design, attention to the needs of transfer students, diverse forms of data and evidence, an abundance mindset, capacity-mindedness, meaningful assessment, and material and structural support.
In Fall 2020, then-Interim Provost Anne Alexander assembled the Next-Generation General Education Committee (now referred to as NextGenUSP) and tasked them with redesigning UW's general education program (currently USP2015).
Delayed by the pandemic and by administrative change, a subset of the committee began limited preliminary work in Summer and Fall 2021. In Spring 2022, the committee kicked off work in earnest. Through Spring 2023, sub-committees explored specific elements of interest and delivered reports to the Provost. Sub-committee chairs met in Summer 2023 to develop an initial draft model, and in Fall 2023 a reconstituted executive committee began drafting policies to accompany the draft components.
In spring 2024, work will continue on Phase III of the Next Generation University Studies Program. Co-chaired by Mandy Gifford, Chief of Staff to the Provost, and Dr. Morteza Dejam, Associate Professor in Energy and Petroleum Engineering, a group of Next Generation Education Fellows chaired subcommittees to work on specific components of the new draft model. The subcommittees were charged with developing definitions of the components, student learning outcomes, and policy recommendations.
Fall 2024 is dedicated to a robust review process, collecting meaningful feedback from our campus community, community college partners, and state constituents. Scheduled review sessions are listed below, with more to come. A link to the Next Gen USP survey can be found here.
The purpose of the Next Generation USP is to provide and expand on the three key foundations of learning for undergraduate students as required in UW Regulation 2-105, including: (1) Knowledge of Human Culture, the Physical & Natural World, and the U.S. & Wyoming Constitutions, (2) Intellectual and Practical Skills, and (3) Personal & Social Responsibility. USP provides learning experiences that help students to develop skills necessary for full participation in a technologically, politically, and culturally complicated world.
These skills are developed through courses associated with the categories shown below:
Next Generation USP Categories and Credit Expectations:
The USP Review Working Group will be attending Q&A sessions, reviewing all feedback collected, and working to finalize recommendations for the Provost and Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education later this fall. A final Next Gen USP 2026 model will be presented to Faculty Senate and the UW Board of Trustees in Spring 2025.
USP Review Working Group Members are:
For questions about the Next Gen USP 2026, please email Chief of Staff to the Provost, Mandy Gifford at mandyj@uwyo.edu
