The Global Resource Systems Major at Iowa State University

The Global Resource Systems (GRS) major at Iowa State University (ISU) was established in 2009, and is a college-wide undergraduate major within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at ISU.  The program’s mission is to address the world’s greatest challenges in food and agriculture including those related to health, poverty, and the environment.  GRS does this by developing outstanding talent to fulfill employment needs of the future.  It is the first and only GRS program in the United States, and combines technical, cultural, and leadership competencies with a global perspective and systematic approach. The curriculum is learner-centered and designed to allow students to apply technical specialties in different situations with a global perspective.  Degree requirements include completion of core GRS courses, a minor or second major within CALS, and proficiency in a single world language. GRS includes a number of high impact educational practices, most significantly a learning community, service-learning, global internship, and a senior capstone research and poster presentation.  The global internship is designed for students to apply systematic thinking and problem solving skills. Ninety-three students have interned in 30 countries, on five continents.  Students complete internships with non-governmental organizations (NGO), universities, and global corporations in one of six areas, 1) food issues, 2) human health, 3) sociology and education, 4) technology and innovation, 5) business/global workforce, and 6) environment. One measure of success of GRS at ISU is the increase in student enrollment.  The number of students has risen from 25 (2009) to 120 (2015).  The number of graduates per academic year has risen from 0 to 22.  Of 53 graduates, 25 (47%) have enrolled in graduate or professional schools, and 3 graduates have volunteered with the Peace Corps.  The number of faculty and staff has grown to accommodate this increase in students, and includes seven faculty, two staff, and one postdoctoral research associate with GRS responsibilities listed as part of their position responsibility statement. Program assessments includes: 1) alignment between course and program student learning outcomes, 2) changes in students’ knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and world view, 3) students’ perceptions and satisfaction, 4) the teaching and learning process, 5) students’ learning transfer, 6) students’ performance, and 7) impact of service learning.  By measuring these characteristics we are able to further refine and continuously improve this unique, interdisciplinary major.