Abstract
Drawing on over 20 years of expertise from UCSD’s "Making of the Modern World" (MMW) program, this session illustrates how General Education (GE) serves as a strategic foundation for student's global futures. 
Matthew Herbst will share how GE provides an essential "launch pad" for students to transition from specialized excellence to global leadership by fostering the intellectual breadth and critical perspectives necessary to stand out in international arenas. The discussion will explore how a strong foundation in the humanities and social sciences acts as a key asset for science and engineering students, enabling them to build compelling personal narratives for prestigious graduate applications and navigate complex real-world challenges in the global technology industry. Finally, the session will offer a deep dive into the philosophy behind UCSD’s GE-centered College System, demonstrating why a world-class research university prioritizes interdisciplinary learning to cultivate versatile, high-impact global citizens.

Speaker: Matthew Herbst / Professor & Director, Making of the Modern World (MMW), University of California San Diego

Date: 4 Jun. 2026 (Thu.), 12:20–13:10 (Sign-in starts at 12:00)

Venue: RB-102

Language: English

Registration: sign up