Final Report

In January 2026, the QEP Committee met with Provost Brown to review project progress and address questions that arose after her review of the mid-year report. Executive Summary Mid-Year Report

During the input-collecting period of Fall 2025, SACSCOC announced that a QEP would become an optional submission for re-affirmation of accreditation, prompting further discussion about the future of the project at UTA. Provost Brown asked the committee to consider several key issues should the institution choose to proceed:

  • What would our project look like if we worked to overcome the disconnect between career readiness as an area of focus and the proposals submitted?
  • Given the overlap between proposed ideas and existing campus initiatives, where could this work add meaningful value?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of continuing with the QEP, now that it is optional?

The discussion reflected a shared commitment to improving career readiness. The attendees were committed to the goal of improving career readiness and enthusiastic about campus initiatives in this area. They also expressed a desire to work across current university “divides” to create an ecosystem focused on career preparedness. All parties agreed that a formal QEP was not essential in our current environment, and the projects could be done in less restrictive ways, still serving students and moving the work forward.

As a result, the university will not be moving forward with a QEP Project for the 2027 SACSOC accreditation visit. However, the Provost affirmed the value of the committee’s work and encouraged efforts to advance career readiness outside of the QEP framework.

Below is a summary of the committee’s work since June 2025, and we hope that this work will advance conversations that lead to action in the area of career readiness on our campus.

  • Campus and community survey: We surveyed faculty, staff, administration, students, alumni and community members in early fall semester.
  • World Café Event: We brought interested people on campus together for a conversation centered on career readiness and student success.
  • Proposals: We solicited, read and ranked proposals from interested parties on campus. *
  • Student Focus Group: We met with students from across campus and learned their thoughts on all submitted proposals.
  • Report: We submitted our Executive Summary to Provost Brown in December.

*The top 3 unranked proposals are briefly summarized here:

AI Literacy for All: Developing a Core Course for Undergraduate Education

  • Comprehensive AI literacy course for all UTA students
  • Pilot-tested core course developed through an iterative process
  • Will enhance workforce readiness, foster informed civic participation, and position itself as a leader in addressing a critical educational gap

Pathways to Possibility: Building Capacity, Confidence, and Career Readiness Through Integrated Support and Stackable Learning

  • Aims to boost retention, graduation, and employability through a holistic, equity-driven model
  • Strengthens academic foundations, equips students with study and time-management skills, and offers targeted mentoring
  • Stackable digital credentials, guided pathways, short-term housing for students in crisis, etc.

Formalizing Early Career Engagement and Readiness into the Curriculum

  • Create a required 3-hour course focused on early career engagement and development as well as an introduction to university life
  • Modeled on a successful approach in the College of Business (BCOM 3360 Effective Business Communication)
  • Would replace the current UNIV course with a requirement designed to help students to develop career awareness early on

For additional comments or questions, please contact the 2027 QEP Chair, Dr. Holly Hungerford-Kresser (hkresser@uta.edu) who will share feedback with Provost Brown.