Leading Experiential Learning on Campus

This book offers a bold and comprehensive vision for creating, leading, and sustaining experiential learning (EL) ecosystems on college campuses. Drawing on extensive interviews with EL experts and collaboratively written by eight seasoned professionals, it redefines EL not just as a learning method but as a dynamic ecosystem of people, practices, policies, and institutional structures. This crucial shift in perspective will empower educators and administrators to embrace the diversity of EL and leverage its strengths through cross-campus collaboration. Readers will find practical tools and actionable strategies to deepen their EL objectives, connect with allies across campus, and build a shared vision for the future of EL in U.S. higher education. Whether read sequentially or consulted for situational advice, this book serves as an essential resource for advancing sustainable and impactful EL practices.

Bill Heinrich is a scholar, consultant, and practitioner with a passion for the power of experiential learning. In a career spanning higher education leadership, student affairs, private sector consulting, and non-profit evaluation and training, he helps educators and leaders translate big ideas into repeatable educational practices. Tyler L. Hough is a scholar-practitioner and Director of Employer Engagement at Rice University, where he champions efforts to build an integrated career ecosystem. Erica Lewis dedicates much of her professional time to educating doctoral nursing students at James Madison University, where she serves as a professor in the School of Nursing. Ellie Louson is an Educational Developer at Michigan State University's Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation as well as the Associate Director for Teaching & Learning in CIRCLE, MSU's Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Collaboration, Learning, and Engagement. Patrice Ludwig serves as the Interim Assistant Vice President for Research and Innovation at James Madison University, where she leads initiatives that foster collaboration. Seán McCarthy is a Professor of Writing Studies at Montclair State University, where he designs and leads interdisciplinary teaching and research initiatives that bridge the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Science and Mathematics. Nick Swayne is an accomplished higher education president, strategic innovator, and decorated military veteran with a legacy spanning community college leadership, statewide academic partnership, and global recognition for transformative education. Since 2022, he has led North Idaho College as its 11th President. Tatjana Titareva is a Staff Scientist at AI Policy Lab at Umeå University in Sweden. She researches AI in education, policy, leadership, and governance.

1. Experiential Learning as an Ecosystem and the People Who Make it Real 2. Choosing the Right Experiential Learning Theories 3. Organizational Structures that Shape Experiential Learning 4. Building a Successful EL Ecosystem 5. Making Assessment Work for Your EL Ecosystem 6. Making Sense of Technology for EL Leaders 7. Identifying and Supporting Leaders Across the EL Ecosystem 8. Managing Stakeholder Tensions: Moving Beyond Alignment 9. Solving Problems and Navigating Barriers in Your EL Ecosystem 10. Understand. Design. Sustain.