Society for Experiential Education

Webster Groves School District is doing amazing work in K-12 experiential education! WGSD, just outside of downtown St. Louis, MO, hosted the Society for Experiential Education Experiential Education Academy “Teaching & Learning Experientially” workshop today for a group of their educators across grades levels and disciplines. The workshop, facilitated by EEA Faculty and Board Member Dr. Paul Gaszak, is WGSD’s third EEA workshop. Under the leadership of Dr. Kerry Arens, WGSD will continue to engage with the EEA as they advance their already excellent work in experiential education.

Congratulations to Tyler L. Hough, MS who during the Society for Experiential Education Annual Conference was recognized with the Outstanding Experiential Education Rising Leader Award and represented The Chicago Center for Urban Life & Culture in accepting the award for Outstanding Leader in Experiential Education: Community-Based Organization. Rising Leader: Since entering the field in 2021, Tyler has made significant contributions to experiential education, collaborating with peers to advance research and practice. A 2023 SEE Fellow, he has led writing groups, resulting in a conference presentation and two journal publications. Tyler's work on critical place-based education and the co-development of a Boundary Spanner Framework have gained recognition, with the latter pending publication. He also led efforts to save The Philadelphia Center, expanding its impact alongside the Chicago Center. Tyler’s active involvement in SEE and his scholarly contributions continue to elevate the field of experiential education. Outstanding CBO: The Chicago Center for Urban Life & Culture was recognized with the Community-Based Experiential Education Award for its decades-long commitment to educating students on the complexities of Black America and promoting equal justice through innovative place-based learning. Their programs immerse students in Chicago’s diverse communities, creating authentic experiences that foster social justice and community involvement. Under the leadership of Tyler Hough, the Chicago Center has expanded its efforts to address community needs and empower students as advocates for change, making a significant impact both locally and beyond. This award honors their outstanding contributions to experiential education and community engagement.

Congratulations to Dr. Katia Maxwell who was recognized with the Outstanding Experiential Education Rising Leader Award during the Society for Experiential Education Annual Conference. Dr. Maxwell, a member of SEE since 2020, has made significant strides in integrating experiential education into her courses at Athens State University. She secured a grant to revamp her senior capstone course with an internship component, despite program limitations. As Quality Enhancement Plan Director, she promotes experiential learning across campus, leading professional development initiatives and launching a faculty fellowship program. Dr. Maxwell also co-founded the Bonner Leaders program, offering scholarships for students to volunteer at non-profits, and has contributed to academic literature and conferences on experiential education.

Congratulations to Jerry Daday who was recognized with the Outstanding Leader in Experiential Education: Higher Education Award during the Society for Experiential Education Annual Conference. Dr. Jerry Daday is being honored with the Outstanding Leader in Experiential Education: Higher Education Award for his exceptional leadership as Executive Associate Dean for the Institute for Engaged Learning at IUPUI. Since 2018, Dr. Daday has been instrumental in advancing applied and experiential learning across the IU Indianapolis campus, promoting equitable access, ensuring quality, and scaling high-impact practices (HIPs). His dynamic approach fosters collaboration among faculty, staff, and administrators, creating a campus-wide culture of engaged learning. Dr. Daday’s innovative leadership and dedication to advancing HIPs have made a profound impact on experiential education, both locally and nationally, solidifying his place as a leading figure in the field. CC: Indiana University Indianapolis

Congratulations to Anita White, Ph.D. who was recognized with Outstanding Leader in Experiential Education: K-12 Award during the Society for Experiential Education Annual Conference. Dr. Anita White is being recognized with the Outstanding Leadership in Experiential Education Award for her impactful role as Dean of Student Support and Equity at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA). With over 15 years of service, Dr. White has led several experiential education initiatives, most notably creating the Student Research and Experiential Learning Opportunities (SRELO) program in 2023, which prioritizes diverse student participation in research. Her efforts have expanded partnerships with universities and organizations, providing students with invaluable hands-on experiences. Dr. White’s leadership continues to shape IMSA’s commitment to diversity and experiential learning excellence.

Reflection Time! The 2024 Society for Experiential Education Annual Conference started one month ago. Take a moment to share a comment about what sessions, ideas, or interactions are still on your mind, informing your practices, and impacting your work! As a reminder, session materials are still available via the PheedLoop Go! app.

SEE's virtual Experiential Education Academy workshops begin today with our Reflection workshop! There is still time to register for our upcoming workshops: Assessment (Oct. 25), Legal Issues (Nov. 1), and DEI in EE (Nov. 8). For details and to register, visit: https://lnkd.in/gHPVRVGE Jenell V. Spitale, MS - we are excited to have you with us in the EEA!

Congratulations to FSU Career Center's Intern FSU Program and Program Manager Li P. Pon (She/Her) for being recognized with the Outstanding Experiential Education Program Award at the Society for Experiential Education Annual Conference. The Florida State University Career Center developed an innovative experiential learning program aligned with SEE Standards and Practice, seamlessly integrating it into their university's strategic plan. By piloting the program in a controlled environment, they ensured campus-wide readiness before full implementation. Their commitment to continuous improvement is evident through comprehensive assessment, incorporating feedback from students, site supervisors, and faculty. The program's lasting impact is demonstrated by its ability to sustain and replicate experiential learning opportunities beyond its initial funding, showcasing its depth and scalability. CC: Florida State University

Congratulations to Emily Carpenter, Ed.D., BCC who was recognized with the Dissertation of the Year Award during the Society for Experiential Education Annual Conference. Dr. Carpenter’s dissertation explores the unique challenges rural college students face in career development and emphasizes the importance of experiential education in this process. She argues that equitable participation in experiential education for non-dominant identities requires additional institutional support. Through action research, Dr. Carpenter collaborates with faculty and staff across 10 institutions in Western New York, offering practical solutions to enhance rural students' career development and experiential learning opportunities. Dr. Carpenter's dissertation can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gdahrWDV CC: Nazareth University, Northeastern University

Congratulations to Melissa Gruver who was recognized with the Anna Julia Cooper Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Experiential Education award at the Society for Experiential Education Annual Conference. When you first meet Melissa Gruver at Purdue University, you instantly know that she is a strong advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice at her core. Everything about Melissa, from her professional life to her personal life, is about advancing equity and justice. She has designed civic engagement programs at Purdue to teach students how to advocate for themselves, for others, and for causes they believe in. The impact Melissa has had on her students through this programming has changed not only her students’ lives but the lives of future generations.