Excellence: A Critical Examination of Accountability

This webinar outlined the most recent work of the AAC&U Inclusive Excellence Commission—the evaluative partner of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence Initiative. Members of the commission presented their Agreements for Excellence in undergraduate science education, as well as critically examined the most salient challenges limiting higher education’s capacity to cultivate and harness scientific creativity from the widest possible range of perspectives, worldviews, and disciplinary expertise. Webinar attendees were actively engaged not only in the iterative work of understanding the Agreements for Excellence but also in critically examining and critiquing their suitability and overall utility in reforming undergraduate science education at all institutional types. Members of the commission also shared their insights and perspectives on the impact of the HHMI Inclusive Excellence Initiative on national undergraduate STEM reform.