Better Preparing Undergraduates By Asking and Listening ; Making a Liberal Education a Personally Relevant Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to survey 120 students about what they want to learn and what they think would improve the undergraduate experience. Student comments and diversity in interests indicate the desire and need for increasing efforts to make a liberal education a pragmatic and personally relevant education, with greater flexibility to pursue personal projects. In particular, they call for a more holistic approach with greater assistance with the transition into professional life. They wish to bring professional development up to par with intellectual development as a cornerstone of a liberal education and include a professional development goal in liberal education core.