Experiential Learning Student Advisory Board

Major: Nursing, Community and Public Health

Certificates: Global Health, Global Leadership 

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.

Preferred Pronouns: She / Her / Hers 

Major: Psychology

Minor: Community and Public Health

Interests: baking and dancing

Class Year: 2024

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. 

Preferred Pronouns: She / Her / Hers 

Major: Child and Family Studies/Psychology

Interests: I love working with kids, volunteering, trying new foods, and watching movies.

Class Year: 2025

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.

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers 

Major: Visual Communication: Photojournalism 

Interests: Photography, Hiking, Watching True Crime Documentaries.

Class Year: 2024

Involvement: 

Internship Experience- Cleveland Metroparks Multimedia Intern, C-Span Creative Marketing and Photography Intern, Contract Photographer for Alto Press, Photojournalism involvement at the White House.

Campus Involvement- NPPAOU

Why is experiential learning important to you? 

Experiential learning is crucial to networking yourself and making connections outside of your comfort zone. It has opened up so many doors for me and I would encourage anyone who is even remotely thinking of doing an experimental learning opportunity to go for it, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

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

Experimental learning has impacted my learning at OHIO by allowing me to leave the University to conduct my own photojournalism stories within the Athens communities. I then have the knowledge of real-world experiences to bring back to campus and share with others. 

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

Being able to go to Washington, D.C. has shaped my career in the best way possible. I knew I wanted to get away from Ohio and move to a big city. I came to D.C. in August of 2022. Since then, I have covered and photographed President Biden during his speech on junk fees, his dinner with the Department of Defense Leaders, and boarding Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House, among other things. I have also expanded my network with so many professionals and I owe it all to the Scripps Semester in D.C. Program and the grants the Experimental Learning Board gave me to pursue the opportunity to go to D.C.

 Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

In ten years, I see myself moving back to Washington D.C., hopefully working for Getty Images, the New York Times, or the White House. My goal is to stay in photojournalism and be able to continue sharing and producing stories and still images that help shape a better future.

Preferred Pronouns: She / Her / Hers 

Major: Pre-nursing

Interests: Hiking, backpacking, and the outdoors. I love the sciences and want to explore them through many different classes and research and wish to pursue healthcare in the future.

Class Year: 2026 

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.

She/her/hers

Major: Journalism News and Information

Minor: Political Science

Certificates: Political Communication and Women’s, Gender & Sexuality studies

Interests: Making Vision Boards, Reading, Taking Walks

Involvement
Communications Intern for the Center for Campus & Community Engagement, LINKS Peer Mentor, Reservations and Events Assistant at Ping Recreation Center, Editor-in-Chief of Backdrop Magazine, President of Best Buddies OU, Women’s Mentoring Program, John Newton Templeton Scholar

Why is experiential learning important to you?

Experiential learning is important to me because it provides an opportunity to experience passions and interests in a hands-on or up-close environment. There is a lot of value it being about to participate in experiential learning opportunities because the things you take away are strengthened by the things you get to do and the connections you get to make.

How has experiential learning impacted your learning experience at OHIO?

Experiential learning has impacted my learning experience at OHIO by providing me with the chance to experience journalism and learn about the impact of journalism on communities.

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 semester of 2021, I was able to attend a journalism simulation at Ohio State University where journalism students from around the state were tasked with reporting on political topics and issues while covering the government that was created by the simulation. This is one of the first experiences where I was able to write hard news stories, get immediate edits and feedback on quick deadlines and network with amazing, well-establish journalists.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

10 years from now, I want to be well-traveled and experienced as a journalist. Ideally, I would like to attend graduate school for educational leadership and policy planning and focus on a career in politics or education so I can promote media literacy and critical race theory in the education system. I don’t know exactly where I will end up but I know some of the things I want to do between now and then.

Preferred Pronouns: She / Her / Hers 

Degree: Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs/Master's in Educational Research and Evaluation  

Interests: Problem-solving, giving off positive vibes, listening to music, watching sitcoms, listening to podcasts  

Class Year: 2024 

Campus Involvement:
COVID-19 International Student Task Force
Provost International Opportunities Think Tank
2021 Legislative Action Summit, Library Student Advisory Board
Generation P246
Women's mentoring program
Graduate Student Senate Commissioner of Equity and Inclusion Affairs
African Students Union
Golden Key International Honor Society
2021 Outstanding Doctoral Student Leader 

Why is experiential learning important to you? 
Drawing from my educational journey, my most rewarding experiences have been through co-curricular engagement. These experiences have been positive, but most importantly, I have seen myself grow, gained a better understanding of who I am, and served our university through leadership. Therefore, I am passionate about experiential learning because it is valuable to student development, community participation, and integration. 

How has experiential learning impacted your learning and experience at OHIO?
Through experiential learning, my education at OHIO has been rewarding because I have actively been involved in the shared governance process and played an integral role in creating the positive change students seek.  

Tell us a story about one of the experiences that you feel demonstrates the power of experiential learning in a real-world context. 
As the Founder and Chair of the COVID-19 International Student Task Force (ISTF), a coalition of Ohio University student leaders who forged strategic partnerships to adopt a data-driven, all-inclusive partnership to creatively formulate a plan to address the most pressing issues for all OHIO international students. The task force's advocacy efforts brought together University leadership, student leaders, Athens City leadership, members of the mayor's virtual roundtable, and community members to raise awareness about the unique predicaments of international students. As a result, OHIO created the International Student Emergency Relief Fund, providing over $300,000 in financial aid and serving over 300 international students. The task force's outreach efforts resulted in consistent food drives and donations to the Cats' Cupboard, OHIO's on-campus food pantry. Leading the advocacy of the ISTF came with a huge responsibility for me as the Chair: I was mainly the spokesperson for the Executive Committee, which also implied serving as the representative of the task force on panels, radio appearances, and fundraising campaigns. One such opportunity included providing weekly updates to the Athens Mayor's Virtual Roundtable. 

The task force's outreach efforts also created public awareness and a deeper understanding of the harsh predicaments of international students. As a result, there has also been increased attention and donor support for the Cats' Cupboard. Overall, the partnership ISTF nurtured between Ohio University and Athens community established a humanitarian legacy, and I am grateful to have initiated it. The fulfillment of giving back in service through leadership to OHIO and the United States at large was my first dream when I began my academic journey at OHIO.  

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I hope to be an engaged learner and a change agent in my community and the world. 

Preferred Pronouns: She / Her / Hers 

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Interests: Music, cooking, hiking, classical guitar

Class Year: 2023 

Involvement:

I am involved with the Society of Women Engineers where I am on the outreach committee sharing engineering with young girls. I am also a member of Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society. I completed an internship at Ariel Corporation in reciprocating compressor research. I also completed a service internship at Tenderfoot Fair Trade Learning Lab where I helped build sustainable infrastructure. I am currently studying abroad at the University of Limerick.

Why is experiential learning important to you?

Experiential Learning is important to me because it enhances what I am learning in the classroom and introduces me to new perspectives.

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

At OHIO, experiential learning has enhanced my relationship with the Athens community and helped educate me on Appalachian communities in the U.S.

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

At Ariel Corporation, I worked on reciprocating gas compressors that generate electricity through thermodynamic cycles. Now, I am in applied thermodynamics, and this can be extremely difficult because of how theoretical and abstract power cycles can be. However, due to my hands-on internship experience, I am better able to apply theoretical knowledge and visualize what I am learning.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

At Ariel Corporation, I worked on reciprocating gas compressors that generate electricity through thermodynamic cycles. Now, I am in applied thermodynamics, and this can be extremely difficult because of how theoretical and abstract power cycles can be. However, due to my hands-on internship experience, I am better able to apply theoretical knowledge and visualize what I am learning.