Experiential Learning Student Advisory Board

Involvement

• Internship: I am currently a student intern/volunteer with the office of health promotions. I am being mentored by the Director Ann Brandon and the former well-being coach, Dianna John-Ward to keep the health initiative program: change our outcomes going.
• Community involvement: for the 2022-2023 academic year, I will be serving as a research fellow with faculty from HCOM and the RECAC division of the Athens County foundation in conducting minority health research in Appalachia.
• Campus involvement: John Newton Templeton Scholar, LINKS peer mentor, Pre-nursing learning community leader, Student Board member of the University Hearing board, Class of 2025 representative for the Bachelor of Science in nursing organization, and community service chair for Unified Sisters

Why is experiential learning important to you?

As a big believer in practicum experiences, I think it is highly important for all students to experience some sort of experiential learning in their chosen field because it offers them the opportunity to experience their future careers in the real world. Being on site and doing hand on work is so much different from sitting in the classroom and if students can engage in experiential learning, it prepares them so much better for life after college

How has experiential learning impacted your learning experience at OHIO?

As a health sciences major, I will be gaining a lot of experiences throughout my time at Ohio University. My favorite experiences stem from my nursing clinicals. With this experience, I get to interact with patients and healthcare professionals in the real world (hospital, and health facilities) to begin applying the skills that are being taught to me in the classroom.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

10 years from now, I hope to have acquired my doctorates and working as a clinician in a top surgical facility. Outside of that, I hope to travel to vulnerable populations around the world and facilitating conversations and programs about health promotion and disease prevention.

Involvement: 
I am in the Margaret Boyd Scholars Program, serve as a LINKS Peer Mentor on the Speech and Debate team, a research assistant, a Global Ambassador and serve on the President's Student Council for Inclusive Excellence

Internship Experience
Over this past summer, I worked at Judge Baker Childrens Center at Harvard Medical School. I worked with kids aged 6-12 administering the Summer Treatment Program to children with ADHD and other mood and behavioral disorders.

Why is experiential learning important to you?

Experiential Learning is important to me because it allows me to have practical experience. It allows me to learn from outside the classroom, make meaningful connections, and gain insight into what I would like to do.

How has experiential learning impacted your learning and experience at OHIO?
Through my internships and experiences on campus, I have learned a lot about my major and what my chosen career path will look like, upon graduation. It has allowed me to understand the importance of my major and what some real-world applications may look like and this experience has guided my understanding and growth on campus. 

Tell us about one of your experiences that demonstrates the power of experiential learning in a real-world context. 
While working with children and interacting with their parents on a daily basis, I was able to really see and observe human behavior in a clinical setting. Having that understanding really framed my perspective and I am now a better-informed student of psychology than I was.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Ideally, I would like to be in graduate school to pursue my Ph.D. in either neuropsychology or developmental psychology. I would like to be able to practise as a neuropsychologist and further my understanding of the biopsychosocial roles in mental illness. 

Involvement:

Member of Child Life Student Organization, Member of Project for the Kids, Learning Community Leader, Afterschool Leader for Kids on Campus, Member of the OHIO Honors Program

Why is experiential learning important to you?

I believe that experiential learning is a great addition to our education, and it gives people the chance to explore their future careers. I would not be in the major that I am in if I didn’t have the opportunity to participate in experiential learning in high school. The exposure was invaluable, and I believe that everyone should have the chance to gain this experience.

How has experiential learning impacted your learning and experience at OHIO?

Experiential learning has taken my learning to a completely different level. The information that I study in my classes becomes real when I am in the field working with people. Rather than case studies and textbook examples, I get to encounter real people and their stories. It also helps me put into perspective how important the information is that I am learning. Everything from my classes comes alive, and I see how I will put what I am studying into practice.

Tell us about one of the experiences that you feel demonstrates the power of experiential learning in a real-world context. 

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to go on a trip to Europe. It opened up an entirely new world for me. So many of my perspectives were changed after spending time there. The different cultures were amazing, and one of the things that I learned a lot about was the different obstacles they face. It really showed me how different each person’s situation is and how important it is to take the time to understand each person whom you are working with so that you can provide the best care for their needs.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

In ten years, I will be working in a children’s hospital. I’m planning to start at the Cleveland Clinic after graduation because it is close to home, but I hope I get the chance to branch out. I’d love to travel and end up on the West Coast or even in Europe! Hopefully, I will be improving the lives of each child that visits and their families. I want to really make a difference in the lives of the people I work with.

Involvement:

Margaret Boyd Scholars Member, GIVE club board member, Research Assistant with CIRS, Learning Community Leader, and a volunteer with Athens County Children Services.

Why is experiential learning important to you?

Getting involved outside the classroom is one of the best ways to grow as a student and network. Some of my best memories and educational experiences have been opportunities around campus or within the community.

How has experiential learning impacted your learning and experience at OHIO?

One of the best things I have learned in college is to take opportunities that come your way and seek the ones you want. Getting involved outside the classroom is one of the most important things a student should do. It can change your perspective, well-being, and success.

Tell us about one of the experiences that you feel demonstrates the power of experiential learning in a real-world context. 

I have been a Research Assistant with the Center for Intervention Research in Schools since my sophomore year. This experience helped me solidify what I wanted to do and allowed me to understand how some research can be conducted. It has been one of the best experiences I have had.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I would like to pursue a career centered around children and families and possibly work with kids with educational challenges as well. Traveling and new experiences will always be important to me so I hope to be in a position to do that more in 10 years. 

Involvement:

• Active member of Red Cross Club
• Member of Outdoor Pursuits 2022 Spring Break Appalachian Trail backpacking trip

Why is experiential learning important to you?

I think experiential learning is a crucial aspect in receiving a well-rounded, and immersive education in any subject. Especially in the health-related sciences, experiential learning allows you to put your knowledge into practice and learn how to utilize your skills, as opposed to passively retaining them through memory. Experiential learning allows you to better form connections with peers and mentors around you, and gain knowledge from seeing how other people learn and react in a learning environment.

How has experiential learning impacted your learning and experience at OHIO?

While I’m only a freshman and haven’t yet had an immense amount of experiential learning experiences so far in my college career, the few that I’ve had have shown me the importance of experiential learning in everyone’s academic journey. I went to my first biological sciences research fair and got to see just how big the world of science is and was awakened by the many possibilities around me. Experiential learning has also made me aware of the importance of hands-on learning and learning environments that are different and separate from the classroom. Experiential learning has made me want to dive deeper into my interests and see all the Ohio University has to offer.

Tell us a story about one of your experiences that you feel demonstrates the power of experiential learning in a real-world context. 

In the fall of 2021, I went to my first biological sciences research fair and got the opportunity to look at a multitude of different research topics being investigated. Since then, I have been yearning to get involved in research on campus and explore my interests in the sciences even more. I think experiential learning has the ability to open the doors for many people and can let people find interests they may have not even known they had.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

It’s hard to say for sure, since I’m still exploring my own interests and trying to figure out where I fit best in a health care team. I have always had an interest in women’s health, so I could see myself working in a women’s healthcare setting. I would love to work alongside and support the health of women during pregnancy. I’m excited to see what amazing opportunities Ohio University has to offer, and what the future holds.

Why is experiential learning important to you?

When I was in undergrad, I was always very unsure of what I wanted to pursue as a career. I decided to major in Psychology and Global Health because the coursework was interesting, but I did not know what I wanted to do after graduation. It was through my experiences outside the classroom that I was able to test out new things, apply what I learned in the class to real life, and most importantly, see what I did and did not like in different settings and jobs. My experiential learning opportunities helped me to figure out my next steps, whilst developing skills that I still use today. It allowed me to reflect on myself, make decisions, and follow a career path that I feel fits me best, and I know that these types of experiences can do the same for others as well.

How has experiential learning impacted your learning and experience at OHIO? Tell us a story about one of your experiences that you feel demonstrates the power of experiential learning in a real-world context. 

At OHIO, experiential learning has introduced me to students with so many different backgrounds and stories that they have shared with me. Also, I traveled to Thailand through the Office of Global Opportunities, and was able to understand how to better communicate with people from different cultures. During this trip, I was able to spend time with and learn from various Thai people, who were kind, patient, and willing to share their culture with me, which I am so grateful for. Being able to practice cross-cultural communication in the beautiful country of Thailand was very special and impactful to me, as I strive to become a mental health counselor who can serve diverse clients and make them feel heard, safe, and welcomed in the therapy space.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I am really not sure, but I hope to be making a meaningful impact in the mental health field, possibly as a professor, and overall, feeling happy! I think it would be interesting to be teaching and mentoring new counselors, and still be able to work with college students in some capacity.