Foundational scholars in the field of integrative learning, Mary Huber and Pat Hutchings write, “One of the great challenges in higher education is to foster students’ abilities to integrate their learning across contexts and over time.” In order to encourage students to connect skills learned inside the classroom to experiences outside the classroom, the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), a part of the Division of Teaching and Learning, launched the What’s Next Integrative Learning Scholarship. This annual scholarship offers up to $1,000 for students who demonstrate excellence in high-impact integrative learning experiences such as undergraduate research, internships, and peer mentoring, and who connect the skills gained from these experiences to other contexts in and beyond the classroom. A total of 37 students across 11 colleges were selected to receive the scholarship for the 2017–2018 academic year.
We asked a few of our winners to discuss their experiences. Bolivar Perez, a Civil Engineering major, credits his internships with Hub Steel and Optimus Structure Design with allowing him to apply lessons from the classroom to real-world contexts: “Between looking through numerous construction plans, responding to RFIs, using advanced 3D modeling software, purchasing steel plates, and frequently conducting on-site inspections, the lessons and experiences I have acquired are invaluable.”
Photonic Science and Engineering major Rafaela Frota describes creating her own startup, a virtual food assistant that she calls Wawwe: “The founding of Wawwe has allowed me to wear many hats and develop skillsets that perhaps otherwise I would not have been able to attain. I have spoken to CEOs, investors, and media outlets. I also had the chance to manage teams and explore the realms of executive and creative roles.” Integrative learning doesn’t just happen outside the classroom, however.
Art Education major Emily O’neill describes the skills she gained through her drawing and painting classes: “These classes really helped push me to my limit, strengthen my art skills, but also teach me discipline and patience. I learned that trial and error is good and that art is infinite. I became more disciplined in time management and focus.”
To read more about these students’ integrative experiences visit the What’s Next website.