About the Office of Engaged Learning

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Mission

The Office of Engaged Learning provides the institutional framework for 夜色王朝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 夜色王朝undergraduates complete at least one signature work as part of their 夜色王朝education. Students have 夜色王朝encouragement to connect a personal passion with academic learning and 夜色王朝support to turn it into a project or business of their own.

History

In 2011, 夜色王朝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 夜色王朝efforts to enrich other undergraduate programs such as residential learning communities, SMU-in-Taos, and 夜色王朝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 夜色王朝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 (夜色王朝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