Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Two students meeting with lawyers at an internship.

Experience-Driven Learning Venture Grants

WMU provides a holistic, experience-driven education. Here, transformational learning emerges from traditional classroom instruction paired with application in live situations. It is in our DNA. Nine of 10 graduate and undergraduate students have had at least one learning experience enhance their education.  

The 2022-32 Strategic Plan calls for Western "to engage every student in experiential education" as part of the University's goal for academic excellence. By scaling experiential learning to serve all students, we will advance and integrate the University's education, research and career-preparation missions while also increasing retention and graduation rates. 

In support of this vision, the University’s ambition is to inspire, accelerate and scale high-quality Experience-Driven Learning opportunities that support students in their pursuit of meaningful careers and a life well lived. 

Provost and Vice President
for Academic Affairs
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5204 USA
(269) 387-2380

What is Experience-Driven Learning?

Experience-Driven Learning (EDL) is Western’s approach to education that integrates hands-on, practical experiences with traditional instructional methods. 

Students engaged in EDL apply classroom knowledge to career-relevant situations in real-world contexts through a range of different opportunities, including internships, simulations, problem- and project-based learning, global learning, service learning, co-curricular learning, and undergraduate research and creative scholarship. 

Experience-Driven Learning involves all three of the following components: 

Enhancing learning through problem-solving and creative thinking; team-oriented experiences; and application of learning to timelines, budgets and communication.

  • Support learners in deepening content knowledge, developing critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, communication and collaboration skills.  
  • Develop students' capacity for impactful internships, externships, clinicals, practicums, labs and simulations throughout their academic programs.  
  • Involve students in the authentic application of learning with “real-world” timelines, budgets, constituents and constraints.  
  • Provide team-oriented experiences focused on developing written and oral communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.  

Shaping professional purpose through work with industry and sector partners that enable students to build connections and references; engage in creative research; and develop a compelling career narrative that evolves from course content, knowledge of the discipline and employer expectations.

  • Facilitate work with industry and sector partners, enabling students to build connections, networks and references.  
  • Help students to develop a compelling career narrative.  
  • Engage students in research, creative activities, product creation or project development that has lasting impact and value beyond the classroom.  
  • Immerse students in resume-worthy and interview-relevant experiences that align with course, discipline and employer expectations.  

Empowering students by focusing on their perspectives and developing skills of inquiry, intentional reflection and assessment, and bridging the gap between theory and practice. This helps prepare students to transition into chosen careers.

  • Center experiences on students' own ideas, incorporating their voice and choice while supporting the development of inquiry and agency.  
  • Emphasize intentional reflection practices, supporting learners in examining their experiences, identifying lessons learned and considering areas where more learning may be needed to meet their future goals.   
  • This comprehensive approach not only bridges the gap between theory and practice but also prepares students for successful transitions into their chosen careers while supporting the University's commitment to academic excellence, student success and community engagement.  

 

Need Venture Grant application support?

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More questions? Contact Dr. Sara Nelson, assistant vice president for strategic initiatives and interim vice provost.