Summer 2025 Steering Committees
Governance
The Governance Steering Committee serves as the foundational leadership group guiding the development of Utah State University’s Center for Civic Excellence. This interdisciplinary committee will shape the Center’s mission, vision, and governance in alignment with USU’s land-grant mission and commitment to student success.
| Name |
Department |
| Brian Warnick |
Applied Sciences, Technology & Education |
| Christopher Corcoran |
Data Analytics & Information Systems |
| Damon Cann |
Political Sciences |
| Jeff Aird |
Office of Data Analytics |
| Lezlie Christensen-Branum |
English |
| Mateja Savoie Roskos |
Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences |
| Patrick Mason |
History, Cultures & Ideas |
| Sylvia Read |
Education |
| Tonya Triplett |
Physics |
| Scott Bates |
Psychology |
Creative Arts
The Creative Arts Steering Committee is charged with shaping a general education experience that foregrounds the role of creativity and the arts in civic understanding, cultural expression, and social engagement. The committee’s purpose is to guide the development of curriculum and programming that highlights the significance of the creative arts in shaping human experience.
| Name |
Department |
| Christopher Scheer |
Music |
| David Anderson |
Landscape & Design |
| David Wall |
Art & Design |
| Kevin Olson |
Music |
| Nicholas Morrison |
Caine School of Arts |
| Richie Call |
Theatre Arts |
| Wade Goodridge |
Engineering |
| Laura Gelfand |
Art & Design |
Integrated Humanities
The Integrated Humanities Steering Committee is setting the foundation for a general education experience that guides the development of curriculum and programming that encourage students to think critically about enduring human questions, develop interpretive skills, and connect historical and cultural insights to their own civic and ethical lives.
| Name |
Department |
| Charlie Huenemann |
History, Cultures & Ideas |
| Dustin Crawford |
English |
| Keri Holt |
English |
| Michaelanne Nelson |
English & USU Eastern |
| Patrick Mason |
History, Cultures & Ideas |
| Mike Ashfield |
History, Cultures & Ideas |
| Susan Cogan |
History, Cultures & Ideas |
| Rachel Robison |
History, Cultures & Ideas |
Communication Literacy
The Integrated Humanities Steering Committee on Communication Literacy is guiding the development of writing and speaking instruction within the general education humanities courses. The committee shapes learning experiences that foster critical thinking, clarity of expression, and effective communication in both academic and civic contexts.
| Name |
Department |
| Amanda Lilly |
Communication & Media |
| Beth Buyserie |
English |
| Genevieve Ford |
English |
| Lezlie Christensen-Branum |
English |
| Russ Winn |
English |
Integrated Humanities Readings
| Name |
Department |
| Brittany Gentry Oakes |
History, Cultures & Ideas |
| Christine Cooper Rompato |
English |
| James Sanders |
History, Cultures & Ideas |
| Michael Otteson |
History, Cultures & Ideas |
| Susan Shapiro |
History, Cultures & Ideas |
Physical & Life Sciences
The Life and Physical Sciences Steering Committee is charged with guiding the development of a general education experience that helps students understand science as both a method of inquiry and a vital part of human understanding. The committee supports curriculum and programming that promote scientific literacy in personal, professional, and civic contexts.
| Name |
Department |
| Jen Burbank |
Biology |
| Marlene Graf |
Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences |
| Edward Hammill |
Watershed Sciences |
| Rose Judd-Murray |
Applied Sciences, Technology & Education |
| Missy Kofoed |
Chemistry |
| Katie Potter |
Geosciences |
| Robert Davies |
Physics |
| Tonya Triplett |
Physics |
Social Sciences
The Social Sciences Steering Committee is guiding the development of a general education experience that helps students understand social systems, institutions, and human behavior across time and cultures, with an emphasis on durable skills.
| Name |
Department |
| Bret Crane |
Marketing & Strategy |
| Jenn Grewe |
Psychology |
| Clair Canfield |
Communication Studies & Philosophy |
| Stephen VanGeem |
Social Sciences |
| Lucas Rentschler |
Economics and Finance |
| Travis Dorsch |
Human Development and Family Studies |
| Nate Trauntvein |
Kinesiology & Health Science |
American Institutions
The American Institutions Steering Committee is helping guide the development of general education experience that prepares students for informed and engaged citizenship by understanding the institutions that shape society. This will be done through a multidisciplinary foundation in U.S. history, government, and economic systems.
| Name |
Department |
| Anthony Peacock |
Social Sciences |
| Damon Cann |
Social Sciences |
| Craig Palsson |
Economics and Finance |
| Kyle Bulthuis |
History, Cultures & Ideas |
| Rebecca Andersen |
History, Cultures & Ideas |
| Ryan Bosworth |
Applied Economics |
| T. Scott Findley |
Economics and Finance |
