General Education Learning Outcomes

At Independence Community College (ICC), General Education Outcomes embody the culmination of a student’s journey through a comprehensive liberal arts education that integrates both academic and co-curricular experiences. Each course and co-curricular activity align with at least one of the college’s General Education Outcomes, contributing meaningfully to the development of various outcome components. By the time students complete their degrees at ICC, they will have met all of the following General Education Outcomes:

1. Communication & Analysis

Students will be able to communicate effectively and integrate information from credible sources.

2. Understanding the Natural World

Students will be able to apply mathematical concepts and scientific principles to make informed decisions about the natural world.

3. Arts & Humanities

Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of cultural, historical, and artistic perspectives with an appreciation for the human experience.

4. The Individual & Society

Students will be able to articulate the interaction of individuals and communities, the impact of technology, and their different roles in society.

Historically, Independence Community College (ICC) identified eight General Education Outcomes, aligned with its degree plans, that students would meet upon degree completion. These outcomes were integral to a well-rounded liberal arts education, encompassing vital academic and co-curricular experiences. The following outcomes were considered essential to ICC’s educational goals:

1. Analysis and Oral Communication

Students will be able to communicate effectively and integrate from credible sources.

2. Mathematics and Science

Students will be able to process numeric, symbolic, and graphic information to predict phenomena in the natural world and apply appropriate problem-solving techniques.

3. Fine Arts and Aesthetics

Students will be able to identify expressive qualities and elements of fine arts.

4. Cultural Studies

Students will be able to articulate an understanding of tolerance of cultural diversity.

5. Health and Well-Being

Students will be able to articulate a connection between human behaviors and their impacts on well-being.

6. Human Heritage

Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the broad diversity of the human experience.

7. Social and Political Awareness

Students will be able to explain the impact of societal structures on their lives.

8. Business and Technology

Students will be able to explain concepts of financial systems and/or use current technology efficiently and responsibly.

In 2020, the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) introduced the "Building a Future" strategic plan, which redefined the structure of General Education across the state. One key change, approved on June 15, 2022, was the introduction of the "Seven Bucket Framework" for Systemwide General Education. This framework ensures that students who complete general education courses at one institution can transfer to another within Kansas without needing to complete more general education courses. The framework was adopted by KBOR for all public institutions beginning in Fall of 2024.

With the Kansas Board of Regents fully adopting the framework for transfer of general education, Independence Community College (ICC) sees this as an excellent time to update the institution’s General Education Outcomes to better match the changes at the State level. The proposed General Education Outcomes for ICC are:

1. Communication and Analysis

Students will be able to communicate effectively and integrate information from credible sources.

2. The Natural World

Students will be able to apply mathematical concepts and scientific principles to make informed decisions about the natural world.

3. Arts & Humanities

Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of cultural, historical, and artistic perspectives with an appreciation for the human experience.

4. Individual & Society

Students will be able to articulate the interaction of individuals and communities, the impact of technology, and their different roles in society.

These proposed changes were first created by the Assessment Committee at ICC then sent to Student Affairs, Athletics, and Academic Divisions for refinement and recommendations. These changes were approved by Academic Council and the ICC Board of Trustees in December of 2024.