Riley Long

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.