Northern Kentucky University has been awarded the largest grant designed to enrich student’s educational experience — called the Cornerstone: Learning for Living grant — of any public institution in Kentucky.
The $250,000 grant enables NKU to implement the STAR program for at least 30% of its undergraduate community. The STAR Program which stands for study, think, apply, and reflect integrates the general education curriculum with students’ majors to enhance the depth of their knowledge and education while at NKU.
The STAR program ensures that students will study full-time, tenure-track, or tenured faculty for their general education courses. It also integrates the general education curriculum with students’ majors to enhance the depth of their knowledge and education while at NKU.
This fall, courses in the STAR Program will include a range of introductory writing courses, each with themes that connect the class to various majors like STEM, Social Justice, Environmental Sciences, etc. The program will also pilot STAR versions of Literature of Inclusion and Poverty, Prosperity and Opportunity which fulfill general education course requirements.
Students who complete the STAR first-year experience and three additional STAR general education courses can earn the Transformational Thinking for Community and Career Certificate. This credential distinguishes them from others who share their pre-professional training.