Timeline
Timeline
The Applied Learning Experiences Team was formed in fall 2023 and exists in a growing and ongoing context. Transparency in this important work is a priority. Please utilize this page and the minutes and agendas page to gain understanding of the progress of this imperative. Invividulas are encouraged to contact appliedlearning@k-state.edu with questions.
Spring 2025
Spring 2025
Grant programs for expansion of opportunities and to support students in participating in applied learning experiences will be readied for further implementation.
Applied learning participation baselines will be established for many student groups. Implementation and assessment efforts will be solidified through the formation of a university team.
January 2025
- Recognized experiences expanded to include Leadership and Creative, Core Team approved definitions
- Core team worked to create exemplar reflections based on a draft Canvas module
- Progress made on course recognition workflow
February 2025
- Planning for cALEbrate end-of-year event
- Reflection platform design work began with Instructional Design
- Kansas Communities Internships processes created, advertising began
- Education Abroad utilizes funding to support a health-focused program abroad
March 2025
- Applied Learning Experiences Ambassadors program created and advertised for
- Education Abroad experience makes a name shift to Global Experiences
- ALE Staff attend CALTHE conference in St. Joseph, Missouri
- Core Team reviewed purpose and meeting structure
Fall 2024
Fall 2024
This semester focused on building applications for previously determined definitions. The Core Team was reconvened and worked toward developing a framework to guide participation in Applied Learning Experiences. Throughout this work, relationships were formed with multiple entities within the university community.
August 2024
- Executive Director on-campus interviews were held and the search committee met to make a recommendation.
- Applied Learning Intern, Sadye Patterson, joined the team
September 2024
- Endowment secured for the Julie and Roger Davis Executive Director for Applied learning, and Dr. Craig Schroeder begins in the role.
- Dean Tolar and Maggie attended the Society for Experiential Education annual conference in New Orleans, LA
October 2024
- ALE Core team reconvenes, comprised of:
- Dr. Craig Schroeder, Inaugural Julie and Roger Davis Executive Director for Applied Learning
- Maggie Billman, Program/Projects Coordinator
- Dr. Kerri Keller, Director of K-State Career Center
- Dr. Susan Rensing, Associate Director of Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research
- Dr. Drew Pearl, Assistant Professor of Leadership and Community-Engaged Learning
- Katelin Christianer-Donkers, Director of Education Abroad
- Paige Vulgamore, senior in Agricultural Economics and Student Body President
- Executive Director begins meeting with campus leaders, including deans, department heads, and representatives from the Office of the Provost
- Core team accomplishments included:
- developing a 5-year implementation plan
- creating a framework to discern applied learning experiences
- drafting a grants process to expand experience access
- determining areas of data to collect
November 2024
- Collected and publicized applied learning student stories
- Fostered relationships with student organizations such as Student Governing Association and Native American Student Body
- Hosted first Flapjack Friday event, collecting student surveys
- Core team members attended the Society for Experiential Education Campus Leaders Network webinar
- Contributed $20,000.00 to Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research to support undergraduate research and travel grants
- Dr. Schroeder and Mrs. Christianer-Donkers present at the Thematic Forum on Global Competency and Workforce Readiness.
- Core team accomplishments included:
- Continuing work on grants applications and grading
- Exploring revenue generation opportunities
- Understanding steps and procedures needed to implement an applied learning graduation requirement by 2030
- Defining timeline and steps to expand areas of ALE
- Finalizing ALE Framework
- Drafting single point rubric to measure framework objectives
December 2024
- Site visits to Salina and Olathe campuses conducted
- Second Flapjack Friday hosted outside of the Business Building
- Core team accomplishments included:
- Sharing updates from each subject-matter expert and progress in their areas
- Finalizing single point rubric
- Creating definitions of “Leadership” and “Creative” areas for expansion
- Sharing financial report
- Compiling list of support documents which may be useful to faculty and students
- Furthering discussion on recognizing courses with ALE.
Summer 2024
Summer 2024
This phase focused on expanding capacity and formalizing processes. The position of executive director, who now leads the charge for Applied Learning at K-State, was created and advertised for.
June 2024
- Executive Director position posted and search committee formed
July 2024
- The Executive Director search committee began reviewing applications and conducted online interviews
- ALE Core team members participated in the Society for Experiential Education Campus Leaders Network webinar
Spring 2024
Spring 2024
This semester involved engaging academic partners across the university to define and identify excellent applied learning experiences already offered. Working definitions were provided to the university community for input.
January 2024
- K-State joined the Society for Experiential Education (SEE) upon site visit recommendations
- Definitions survey finalized by the ALE Core team
February 2024
- Created position description and budget for student intern positions
- Applied learning website published
- Dean Tolar provided update to campus via K-State Today (February 27, 2024) and invited feedback via the definitions survey
March 2024
- Student intern position created and hired.
April 2024
- Pilot of faculty grant for summer applied learning experience granted.
- Subject-matter experts from the ALE Core Team reviewed input about their experience areas from the campus community and drafted updates to the definitions
May 2024
- Dean Tolar provided a letter to campus via K-State Today (May 1, 2024) Survey input also prompted updates to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) for the website (add links)
- ALE Core Team presents work during Showcase for Teaching and Learning
- Collaboration with Graduate Faculty Council on applied learning imperative implementation
- ALE Core Team collaborates with SGA President Paige Vulgamore, Vice President Jack O’Malley and Chief of Staff Brady Kappelmann
Fall 2023
Fall 2023
This phase featured review of national literature and peer programs. Targeted site visits were conducted. A core team of university leaders convened to draft definitions of applied learning and initial applied learning experiences based on early findings.
August 2023
- Staley School of Leadership charged with Imperative 3, the Applied Learning Imperative. Dean Mary Tolar takes on the responsibility to lead the work.
October 2023
- Core Team formed including Dr. Kerri Keller, Director of the K-State Career Center, and Maggie Billman as project coordinator.
- Four key examples of Applied Learning defined.
- Communication on goals and aims distributed to campus via K-State Today (include link)
November 2023
- Members of the Core Team furthered relationships with campus partners and conducted site visits to the University of Georgia, Clemson University, and North Carolina State University.
December 2023
- ALE Core Team expands to include Trish Gott, Brent Holliday and Beth Powers, serving as subject matter experts from service/community-engaged learning, undergraduate research and education abroad, increasing meeting cadence to weekly.
- Findings from site visits synthesized and distributed to the ALE Core Team
- Proposed applied learning definitions re-drafted and a definitions survey was distributed for university community input.