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Mission

The Office of Engaged Learning provides the institutional framework for ÃÛÌÒ½´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 ÃÛÌÒ½´undergraduates complete at least one signature work as part of their ÃÛÌÒ½´education. Students have ÃÛÌÒ½´encouragement to connect a personal passion with academic learning and ÃÛÌÒ½´support to turn it into a project or business of their own.

History

In 2011, ÃÛÌÒ½´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 ÃÛÌÒ½´efforts to enrich other undergraduate programs such as residential learning communities, SMU-in-Taos, and ÃÛÌÒ½´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 ÃÛÌÒ½´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 (ÃÛÌÒ½´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