Ohio University expands funding to support students pursuing experiences that prepare them for success

During her State of the University address Oct. 10, Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez announced that the University will invest $500,000 to expand student access to internships, leadership experiences, research, study abroad and community engagement opportunities. The investment is one of the first Ohio University is making to support the implementation of its three-year Dynamic Strategy.

“We believe in the idea of a learn-do model at OHIO,” President Gonzalez said. “We want every student to be able to take what they are learning in the classroom and apply it in ways that prepare them for success after graduation. This investment is about removing barriers to experience-based opportunities.”

Further investing in student success

The three-year investment will double the current funding available to students through OHIO’s Experiential Learning Awards, which provide direct support to students pursuing learning opportunities outside the classroom including internships, research and more. The awards can support necessary equipment or materials, travel and living expenses and program fees associated with signature experiential learning opportunities. The deadline for application for the next award cycle has been extended to Oct. 31.

Complementary to the expanded student funding, OHIO will launch a new Certification in Teaching Experiential Learning to prepare faculty for mentorship and help them expand experiences available to students as part of an academic course. Faculty who complete the certification will receive a $1,000 stipend.

Enhancing student experiences and opportunities

In addition, Executive Vice President and Provost Don Leo plans to charge an academic work group to explore ways that the University can offer course credit for more of the internships that students pursue and design and launch credit-bearing reflection courses for learning activities such as leadership positions with student organizations.

“A student’s personal and professional growth and development happens as part of a total student experience,” Provost Leo said. “What they are learning in the classroom matters, and they are also learning as student leaders on our campuses, through on-campus and off-campus work experience, through service to our local communities and more. It is important that we recognize, reward and encourage all of those opportunities.”

Leo said in addition to expanding funding for students, he wants to ensure students are aware of the breadth of funding opportunities available for various types of co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities. With that in mind, OHIO launched a central online resource where students can find all funding opportunities and application instructions at ohio.edu/experience.