Experiential education aligns directly with the mission of Kent State University “…to discover, create, apply, and share knowledge as well to foster ethical and humanitarian values in service of Ohio and the global community.” At Kent State University, Experiential Education can be defined as “an umbrella term describing teaching methods which utilize deliberate and purposeful engagement to influence student knowledge, skills, values, and promote the public good ”  and Experiential Learning is “direct engagement in learning experiences that promotes academic relevance, enhances course significance, and encourages an understanding of real-world issues.”

The OEECE has developed three guiding principles for experiential education, which focuses on the dynamic relationship of the 21st Century undergraduate philosophy on knowledge, insight, engagement, and responsibility. Effective experiential education should:

• Enhance the relevance of course and non-course related content to real-world issues
• Favor hands-on student development and application of knowledge beyond the classroom
• Promote psychosocial development through civic engagement, reflection, and other forms of hands-on learning.
  

Student Benefits

• Enhance academic insights by putting classroom knowledge and skills to work
• Provide unique opportunities to collaborate with the community
• Showcase student talents and abilities 
• Strengthen skills that will give students a marketable advantage to 21st century employers
• Help meet community needs in ways that current community resources cannot 
• Develop positive professional practices
  

“Experiential learning is important for KSU students because it really helps develop us by becoming more professional but also gives more of a purpose to what we are learning in the class room” - Sarah Keister, Junior Kent State Student and FACE Fellow

Faculty Benefits

• Facilitate the integration of teaching and learning strategies to enhance student learning experiences 
• Offer increased course enrollment
• Offer a complement to scholarly interests 
• Create a platform for research and publication of engaged scholarship 
• Offer greater research interests and engagement from students enrolled in their courses
  

“As faculty, we all want our students to be engaged deeply in our courses. We want them to learn to see our courses as relevant to their lives, vital to their careers, and as meaningful in the world. “ - Jeanne R. Smith, Department of English and Director of the Writing Commons.

Community Benefits

• Facilitate community partnerships with faculty, staff, and students to support the agency’s mission and goals
• Provide opportunities to support the intellectual and psychosocial development of KSU students
• Offer opportunities to increase public awareness and support through participation in workshops, publications, and university and community events

If interested, contact the OEECE by phone 330-672-7876,
email at experiential@kent.edu, or stop by 203 Moulton Hall