PennWest Opens Experiential Learning Center
PennWest has expanded its Internship Center with a new https://career.pennwest.edu/channels/elc/Experiential Learning Center (ELC) to provide additional support for students looking to gain meaningful hands-on work experience before graduation.
“The ELC is a new initiative housed within the Career Center, designed to help students connect classroom learning with real-world experiences,” said Rhonda Gifford, the executive director of the Experiential Learning Center & Employer Management. “The ELC supports students in gaining meaningful, hands-on experience that builds confidence and career readiness.”
Building on the Internship Center’s role in helping students discover and apply for internships, the ELC provide resources in helping them find global learning experiences, project-based learning opportunities, and other impactful practices.
“We want students to explore opportunities that align with their interests, academic and career goals, while also developing key skills like communication, leadership, and adaptability,” said Gifford. “These experiences not only help students clarify their career paths but also empower them to make an impact.”
The ELC also provides resources and strategies for instructors to make their lectures more interactive, enticing, and overall enjoyable for students. This can include methods for assessing a student’s progress in a course and connecting with students if the student needs extra support or help.
Gifford said, “We’re also excited to partner with faculty, staff, and employers to expand these opportunities and ensure students have the support they need to succeed.”
The center also wants experimental learning to be accessible to students with learning disabilities.
“Our goal is to make experiential learning accessible, intentional, and transformative, and that every student has at least one opportunity to engage in experiential learning before they graduate,” Gifford said.