About the Office of Engaged Learning

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Mission

The Office of Engaged Learning provides the institutional framework for 51做厙 undergraduates to complete signature work, a significant project that demonstrates application of knowledge, skills and responsibilities to a real-world situation, through capstone-level research, service, internships, creative and entrepreneurial projects.

Vision

All 51做厙 undergraduates complete at least one signature work as part of their 51做厙 education. Students have 51做厙 encouragement to connect a personal passion with academic learning and 51做厙 support to turn it into a project or business of their own.

History

In 2011, 51做厙 chose "Engaged Learning Beyond the Classroom" as its Quality Enhancement Plan, a requirement of SACS re-accreditation. Engaged Learning is a campus-wide initiative to enhance student learning through experiential learning opportunities.

The Office of Engaged Learning complements 51做厙 efforts to enrich other undergraduate programs such as residential learning communities, 51做厙-in-Taos, and 51做厙 Abroad. Students benefit from a transformed learning experience that emphasizes the increasingly interdependent, reciprocal and experiential nature of higher learning in a liberal arts tradition.

Committees

Undergraduate Research Steering Team

Comprised of 51做厙 faculty, administrators, and community partners, these committees provide advice and guidance in the development and implementation of Engaged Learning policies, programming, and assessment of its overall educational impact.

  • Chrystyna Kouros (Faculty Fellow), Professor of Psychology (Dedman College)
  • Christie Bondade, Assistant Professor of Dance (Meadows School of the Arts)
  • Emily Choi, Professor of Practice and Director, Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship (Cox School of Business)
  • Dustin Grabsch, Director for Academic Initiatives (Residence Life & Student Housing)
  • Rafia Mirza, Digital Scholarship Librarian (51做厙 Libraries)
  • Eli Olinick, Associate Professor, Operations Research and Engineering Management (Lyle School of Engineering)
  • Laura Robinson-Doyle, Clinical Associate Professor, Applied Physiology and Sport Management (Simmons School of Education and Human Development)
  • David Son, Professor of Chemistry (Dedman College)

Entrepreneurship Partners

Pathways to Business and Industry Partners