MTSU’s Experiential
Learning Program again recognized three students for their accomplishments
both in and out of the classroom. The Outstanding
EXL Student Award is given annually to students who hold a distinguished
record of service in the EXL Scholars
Program.
The 2016 award recipients were Hannah Holladay, Dominic Cooper, and Samantha Kirby.
Now in its 10th year, the EXL program at MTSU is designed to
enhance student learning through practical experiences in their fields of study
beyond the traditional classroom and to engage the student directly in service.
More than 200 courses are now approved as EXL courses universitywide.
In addition to taking EXL courses, students can sign up to
be EXL Scholars, which requires them to complete assessment activities and
perform an MTSU service component to receive the designation as an EXL scholar
upon graduation.
Nominations are solicited each year for the EXL awards for
students, faculty, community partner and administrator with “distinguished
records of service/activity in the EXL Program.” The MTSU EXL Scholars
Committee selects the winners.
Recipients of the Outstanding EXL Student Award are chosen
based upon their EXL courses completed, samples of coursework from Experiential
Learning projects and a reflective essay demonstrating vision and leadership in
EXL projects and activities and the impact of those projects and activities on
the community.
Hannah Holladay was
selected for her service work with the Very
Special Arts (VSA) Tennessee, a nonprofit organization that provides
artistic opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
As an intern for VSA, Holladay conducted an international
exchange with VSA Arts of Japan by teaching handweaving to students with
disabilities and securing international exchanges for the 40 Days Around the
World Digital Festival. One of her largest contributions, however, was to VSA
Tennessee’s 40th anniversary Quilt Project, created to honor the
organization’s founder Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith.
For the coordination of this project, Holladay invited all
VSA affiliates to send a quilt square representative of their cultures. The
completed quilt featured 38 countries and 36 states. Holladay traveled to the
Capitol in Washington, D.C., for the presentation of the quilt, and met with
several prominent political figures including Smith, Congressman Joseph
Kennedy, and Ambassador of France Gérard Araud. Because of her academic and
professional achievements, Holladay became the first student to be named as of
MTSU’s Millennials on a Mission during the university’s Nonprofit and Social
Innovation Week.
In nominating Holladay, Dr. Mary Beth Asbury stated, “Hannah used an EXL project in a class to
continue to advocate for and serve those with special needs in our community
and around the world. She used the skills she learned in her Organizational
Communication classes to communicate professionally with various government and
organizational entities. She truly represents what an EXL Scholar should be —
someone who is willing to take a risk and put their knowledge to the test.”
Looking back on her experience in EXL, Holladay said, “Through
these classes, I was provided with the opportunity to show my strengths (and
sometimes weaknesses) by participating in a wide variety of hands-on work. I
developed closer relationships with my professors, found lifelong mentors, and
discovered how to truly work as a team. I highly recommend experiential
learning classes to those at Middle Tennessee State University.”
Dominic Cooper, who
was honored for his dedication to service both inside and outside the
classroom, has since graduated and is now a member of the admissions staff.
During his time in EXL, Cooper assisted students with
disabilities in making Christmas ornaments for the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. He sharpened his
leadership skills through a number of academic and service learning projects
including conducting interviews and field observations concerning leadership
theories.
Cooper’s involvement extends beyond the classroom, however.
In order to help freshman male students in their academic and professional
lives, Cooper was co-founder of an on-campus organization known as “The Young
and Educated.” Members of this group receive professional photos, business
cards, and advice from role models and mentors. Cooper’s dedication to helping
those in the community fit perfectly within the EXL Program, which provided him
with new opportunities for service.
In reflection, Cooper stated, “This program is so beneficial
that I feel that each department, college, and major should include an EXL
service learning component into their student’s academic plan as a degree
requirement. As I reflect upon my collegiate career here as a EXL scholar, I
can genuinely say that the EXL program has shaped me into a valuable
contributor to my university, community, and others in the way a Blue Raider
should academically.”
Samantha Kirby was
recognized because of her passion and commitment to education.
An aspiring teacher and now an MTSU graduate student, Kirby received
invaluable knowledge and childcare practice through EXL. In her courses, Kirby
conducted observations, planned and implemented a parent-teacher conference,
and practiced communication skills through regular interactions with parents. Her
high involvement in kindergarten classrooms helped Kirby build relationships
with both children and parents. This, in turn, helped her secure a job as a
child care provider for one of the families. Most instrumental in Kirby’s
education, however, was the opportunity to plan and implement lesson plans in a
kindergarten classroom.
Kirby noted that EXL courses provide students with
professional experience: “As a pre-service teacher, I cannot imagine completing
my education without the experience of being in a classroom and around children
all the time. The infant/toddler and preschool practicum allow the opportunity
for the pre-service teacher to have interactions with parents, really dig deep
into student and early childhood learning, and, for the first time, plan and
implement real lesson plans.”
For more information about MTSU’s EXL program and how you
can get involved, call EXL Director Carol Swayze at 615-898-5542
or visit http://www.mtsu.edu/exl.
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