In today’s rapidly evolving job environment, employers are seeking candidates who possess critical thinking skills, team leadership abilities, and problem-solving expertise, rather than merely focusing on grades and résumés. This fall, the University of Georgia is providing students with a novel method to exhibit precisely those competencies.
This autumn, UGA will formally unveil its Comprehensive Learner Record — a cutting-edge digital credential aimed at encapsulating a student’s complete spectrum of educational experiences, ranging from academic courses to leadership positions and practical projects.
In contrast to a traditional transcript, the CLR offers a comprehensive, validated account of the skills that are most essential in today’s job market — skills such as analytical reasoning, effective communication, leadership, and innovation.
“Students at the University of Georgia are already acquiring vital skills through their coursework and extracurricular activities. By assisting students in recognizing and expressing their acquired knowledge, we’re not only enhancing their educational experience — we’re providing them with a significant edge in the employment landscape. This credential allows them to narrate a more coherent story about their abilities, equipping them to shine and prosper after graduation,” remarked Marisa Anne Pagnattaro, vice president for instruction and senior vice provost for academic planning.
UGA stands among the pioneers in the nation to roll out the CLR on a sweeping campus-wide scale. The initiative will kick off this summer when all 6,000 incoming first-year students will be introduced to the CLR during orientation, and this fall the tool will be accessible to all 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students of UGA.
The CLR is centered around UGA’s six new Institutional Competencies:
- Critical Thinking
- Analytical Thinking
- Communication
- Social Awareness & Responsibility
- Creativity & Innovation
- Leadership & Collaboration
UGA is setting the standard as the first university to deploy a CLR on such an extensive scale. Through comprehensive collaboration across the campus, every validated course and activity in the CLR is linked to at least one of the six competencies. This provides employers and graduate programs with assurance that a student’s skills, such as leadership or critical thinking, are not merely self-declared but supported by verified experience.
“You are far more than just your GPA. Employers are interested in your extracurricular involvement. This provides insight beyond a mere number, helping you appreciate the significance of all your courses,” stated recent UGA alumna and CLR focus group participant Abigail Huggins.
“I believe this is remarkable,” expressed Alva “Rock” Rogers, another UGA graduate and focus group member. “It gives a reference framework and highlights the experiences I should aim for to deepen my comprehension.”
The foundational efforts surrounding the institutional competencies are spearheaded by faculty. Instructors are aligning their course learning outcomes with UGA’s competencies so that, starting this fall, students will be able to identify which competencies are associated with each course and activity and search for classes based on the skills they wish to develop.
At present, over 75% of UGA’s schools and colleges have submitted courses for inclusion in the CLR.
The University of Georgia is thrilled to launch this initiative that will provide all 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students with their own fully validated, university-supported CLR that will reflect their unique academic journey.
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