Assessment and Governance

Assessment Overview

What are we trying to teach in the University Core? Are we succeeding? How do we know?

As part of Boston College鈥檚 external accreditation review by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), all departments and programs offering courses that fulfill University Core requirements will contribute to The State of the Core report by submitting a final聽E-1-A form to the Office of the Associate Dean for the University Core (core@bc.edu)聽by May 15. The form asks each department and program to articulate their University Core course learning outcomes, to present measurable data, and to describe plans for ongoing evaluation.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing the Boston College Core Curriculum will:

  1. Demonstrate the critical, mathematical, informational, analytic, expressive, and creative skills that are essential tools of the educated person well-prepared for a meaningful life and vocation.
  2. Understand the major ideas and methods of inquiry of the scholarly disciplines that comprise the university and be able to use those methods of inquiry as beginning practitioners to address complex contemporary problems.
  3. Be able to identify and articulate the strengths and limitations of the disciplines and the relationship of the disciplines to one another, and demonstrate an understanding of the breadth and diversity of human knowledge as well as its openness to integration in more comprehensive wholes.
  4. Be conversant with and able to discuss intelligently enduring questions and issues that are fundamental to human inquiry and that have shaped the traditions from which the university has emerged.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to apply more than one disciplinary perspective to the same enduring question or complex contemporary problem.
  6. Be familiar with the scholarly exploration of religious faith and understand how faith and reason are related in the search for truth.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to examine their values and experiences and integrate what they learn with the principles that guide their lives.
  8. Be prepared and disposed to use their talents and education as engaged global citizens and responsible leaders in service of the common good.

University Core Renewal Committee

The University Core Renewal Committee (UCRC) coordinates and manages the Boston College Core Curriculum. Composed of twenty faculty, administrative, and student representatives, the committee leads University-wide efforts to renew the University Core Curriculum as a vital part of a Boston College undergraduate education. It promotes interdepartmental and faculty/staff collaboration and innovation. Different subcommittees of the UCRC address Complex Problem and Enduring Question Core Renewal courses, curriculum, and assessment.

For questions and concerns, please contact the UCRC chair at core@bc.edu.

2026鈥�2027 UCRC Members

  • Elizabeth Shlala, Ph.D., UCRC Chair
    Associate Dean for the University Core, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
  • Deanna Danforth, Ph.D., Appointed
    Assistant Director for the University Core, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
  • Mary Crane, Ph.D., Appointed
    Director, Institute for the Liberal Arts, English Department, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
  • Stacy Grooters, Ph.D., Appointed
    Executive Director, Center for Teaching Excellence
  • Matthew Kruger, Ph.D., Appointed
    Theology Department, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
  • Alicia LaPolla, Ed.D., Ex Officio
    Associate Dean, Messina College
  • Elida Laski, Ph.D. End term June 2028
    Program Director, Applied Psychology and Human Development B.A. Program, Counseling, Developmental & Educational Psychology Department, Lynch School of Education & Human Development
  • Marina McCoy, Ph.D., End term June 2027
    Philosophy Department, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
  • Arissa Oh, Ph.D., End term June 2029
    History Department, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
  • Heather Olins, Ph.D., End term June 2029
    Biology Department, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
  • Geoff Sanzenbacher, Ph.D., Appointed
    Economics Department, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
  • Akua Sarr, Ph.D., Appointed
    Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs
  • Colleen Simonelli, Ph.D., Appointed
    Associate Dean for Student Services, Connell School of Nursing
  • Eve Spangler, Ph.D., End term June 2028
    Sociology Department, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
  • Ethan Sullivan, Ph.D., Appointed
    Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, Carroll School of Management
  • Meghan Sweeney, Ph.D., End term June 2028
    Theology Department, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
  • Jenna Tonn, Ph.D., End term June 2028
    Director of Undergraduate Studies, Engineering Department, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
  • Celeste Wells, Ph.D., Appointed
    Communication Department, Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
  • Julia Whitcavitch-DeVoy, Ph.D., Appointed
    Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students and Programs, Lynch School of Education & Human Development
  • Riley Coopwood, Student Representative, Class of 鈥�27
    Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences
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