51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Mission

The Office of Engaged Learning provides the institutional framework for 51³Ô¹ÏÍøundergraduates 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 51³Ô¹ÏÍøundergraduates complete at least one signature work as part of their 51³Ô¹ÏÍøeducation. Students have 51³Ô¹ÏÍøencouragement to connect a personal passion with academic learning and 51³Ô¹ÏÍøsupport to turn it into a project or business of their own.

History

In 2011, 51³Ô¹ÏÍøchose "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 51³Ô¹ÏÍøefforts to enrich other undergraduate programs such as residential learning communities, SMU-in-Taos, and 51³Ô¹ÏÍøAbroad. 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 51³Ô¹ÏÍøfaculty, 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 (51³Ô¹ÏÍøLibraries)
• 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