Editorial contact: Carol
Swayze, 615-898-5542 or Carol.Swayze@mtsu.edu
MURFREESBORO — The
Experiential Learning Scholars program at Middle Tennessee State University was
honored recently with a top award for higher education credit programs.
MTSU received the Outstanding Credit Program Award from the
Association for Continuing Higher Education South “in recognition of the
excellent nature and results” of the Experiential Learning (EXL) Scholars program.
MTSU launched the program in spring 2006 as a pilot project
in conjunction with a university-wide improvement plan. EXL courses are
intended to provide students with opportunities for hands-on experience in
their fields of study, valuable networking with professionals, and an
opportunity to explore career paths through real-world activities.
The EXL Scholars program formalizes and organizes several
existing experiential learning activities into a comprehensive program of study.
“We are fortunate to have such an exceptional team of
faculty, staff and community partners who are providing a top quality
educational experience for our students,” said EXL Director Carol Swayze, who
accepted the award April 22 at a luncheon in SanDestin, Fla. “This honor is
truly a reflection on the quality of work performed by the founding committee
and speaks to the dedication of MTSU to student success.”
Dr. Jill Austin, a professor of management and marketing, chaired
the committee that launched EXL and served as program director for five years.
“I am very pleased to learn that the EXL Program is being
recognized outside of the university for its contribution to student learning,”
Austin said. “The program was developed by many faculty, staff, students, and
community members in hopes that students will be more engaged in the learning
process and will have an enriched learning experience at MTSU.
“This award is an indicator that EXL is making an impact
beyond our campus and community.”
MTSU had 54 EXL faculty members at end of the program’s
first year, and participation has grown considerably since. In 2012-13, the EXL program includes 27
departments, 191 faculty members, 470 course sections and 7,263 students
participating.
To date, almost
30,500 students have taken EXL courses and almost 1,100 students have completed
all requirements to graduate with the distinction of EXL Scholar.
“This award is a direct result of the leadership of Dr. Jill
Austin and the EXL QEP Committee made up of MTSU administrators and faculty and
the current direction of Carol Swayze,” said Dr. Dianna Rust, associate dean of
University College. “The Experiential Learning Scholars program outcomes have
been significant in student contribution to the community in terms of service,
internships, and practicums as well as in student satisfaction and learning
outcomes.”
The EXL Scholar
Designation is awarded only to students who have completed a minimum of 16
credit hours of EXL coursework and other service-learning requirements.
Students who complete the requirements are awarded EXL Scholar cords and are
recognized at commencement. The EXL Scholar notation also appears on the
students’ transcripts.
“The program continues to grow each semester as more
students discover the value of experiential learning and the EXL Scholar designation,”
Swayze said.
For more information, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/exl/index.php.
About MTSU
Founded in 1911 as
one of three state normal schools for teacher training, MTSU is now the oldest and
largest public university in Middle Tennessee. With an enrollment of more than
25,000 students, MTSU is the largest undergraduate university in Tennessee.
MTSU remains
committed to providing individualized service in an exciting and nurturing
atmosphere where student success is the top priority. With a wide variety of
nationally recognized academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's
and doctoral levels, MTSU takes pride in educating the best and the brightest
students from Tennessee and around the world.
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