Undergraduate Studies fosters excellence in undergraduate academics at Texas A&M University. Under the oversight of the Office of the Associate Provost, several reporting offices are charged with developing and supporting successful learning experiences for students and providing campus leadership in engaged and integrated academic programs for undergraduates. Our goal is to support academic departments and programs in producing knowledgeable lifelong learners capable of navigating a complex and interconnected world in a socially and ethically responsible manner.
James Kracht Named Interim Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies
Dr. James B. Kracht
Dr. James B. Kracht has been named interim associate provost for undergraduate studies, effective December 15, announced Provost Karan Watson. In his new role, Kracht will work with the academic colleges and other campus units to strengthen programs and services designed to help students successfully complete their undergraduate studies.
For the past several years, Kracht has served as executive associate dean, the Byrne Chair for Student Success, and professor of curriculum and instruction in the College of Education and Human Development, as well as professor of geography in the College of Geosciences. He joined the faculty at Texas A&M in 1974. Previous leadership responsibilities have included chair of elementary education, chair of graduate programs, coordinator of professional development school programs, director of teacher education, assistant department head, and department head in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Culture. He has supported development of several new degree programs in the College and was instrumental in developing the Byrne Center for Student Success.
Kracht’s accomplishments earned him recognition for his work in teacher preparation and social studies education, including a Dean’s Roundtable Award for teaching, the Texas A&M International Excellence Award for contributions to international efforts, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Council for the Social Studies. Kracht is a fellow of the Grosvenor Center for Geographic Education and a recipient of the Center’s medal for leadership in research and development. He is also a recipient of the Extraordinary Service Award from the College of Education and Human Development.
Kracht will serve as interim associate provost until such time as a new associate provost is selected.
University Learning Outcomes for Undergraduates
A student who graduates from Texas A&M University with a baccalaureate degree will have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to:
- Master the depth of knowledge required for a degree, including the ability to
- Articulate disciplinary and interdisciplinary theories, concepts, principles, skills and practices
- Synthesize knowledge across courses and other experiences
- Apply knowledge from core curriculum courses, discipline-based courses, and other experiences in a range of contexts to solve problems and make decisions
- Demonstrate critical thinking, including the ability to
- Evaluate, analyze, and integrate information from a variety of sources
- Use appropriate strategies and tools to represent, analyze and integrate information
- Develop critical, reasoned positions
- Communicate effectively, including the ability to
- Demonstrate effective oral communication skills (which could include the use of languages such as American Sign language for those who do not communicate orally)
- Demonstrate effective writing skills
- Demonstrate effective nonverbal communication skills (which could include appropriate use of performance, design or representations such as maps, tables and graphs)
- Listen actively and critically
- Present work effectively to a range of audiences
- Effectively communicate original and creative ideas
- Practice personal and social responsibility, including the ability to
- Practice ethical leadership
- Recognize an ethical dilemma and apply rational decision-making in order to address it
- Choose ethical courses of action in research and practice
- Acknowledge and address the consequences of one’s own actions
- Engage in local and global civic activities
- Demonstrate social, cultural, and global competence, including the ability to
- Live and work effectively in a diverse and global society
- Articulate the value of a diverse and global perspective
- Recognize diverse economic, political, cultural and religious opinions and practices
- Prepare to engage in lifelong learning, including the ability to
- Exhibit the skills necessary to acquire, organize, reorganize and interpret new knowledge
- Show proficiency in current technologies and the ability to adapt to emerging technologies
- Recognize and participate in activities that enhance wellness of body, mind and spirit
- Formulate a plan of personal goals for continued professional growth
- Demonstrate intellectual curiosity
- Work collaboratively, including the ability to
- Participate effectively in teams
- Consider different points of view
- Work with others to support a shared purpose or goal