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About the Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement

What is "OEECE?"
OEECE is an acronym for the Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement. The OEECE is housed under the Office of the Provost and is located in 203 Moulton Hall. Contact the office at 330-672-7876 or email experiential@kent.edu.


When was the OEECE established?
In April 2009, the OEECE was established to create and support the development and implementation of engaged learning opportunities for students, provide resources for faculty, and build collaborations among faculty, students, and community organizations.


What is the vision of the OEECE?
VISION - To distinguish Kent State University's academic culture with engaged experiential learning.


What is the mission of the OEECE?
MISSION - To cultivate academic excellence through experiential learning that bridges academic objectives with civic engagement designed to promote community well-being.


What is the goal of the OEECE?
The OEECE's goal is three-fold:

  • To become a comprehensive support system that promotes experiential education, civic engagement, and community-engaged scholarship for Kent State Faculty;
  • To use experiential learning as a dynamic and model process to promote student exposure to diverse cultures, intellectual and psychosocial development, civic leadership, and an understanding of emerging civic issues; and
  • To use experiential education as a tool to establish equitable partnerships that provide skilled support to address and promote local efforts impacting the quality of the human condition.


What services does the OEECE offer?

Services for Faculty:

  • Offer one-on-one consultation and referrals
  • Conduct experiential learning training, workshops, and presentations
  • Identify and create linkages with community partners that fall in line with course or program objectives
  • Supervise student experiential learning activities
  • Provide experiential education resources and online tools
  • Offer information on grant opportunities
  • Develop and provide forms for experiential learning (MOUs, contracts, etc.)
  • Provide information on assessment rubrics

Services for Students:

  • Offer one-on-one consultation on experiential learning courses and non-course-based opportunities
  • Conduct experiential learning training, workshops, and presentations
  • Provide referrals for university and community opportunities
  • Facilitate an understanding of the linkages between experiential learning, emerging social issues, professional development, and leadership
  • Supervise experiential learning opportunities

Services for Community:

  • Facilitate community partnerships with faculty, staff, and students to support the agency's mission and goals
  • Provide opportunities to support the intellectual and psychosocial development of KSU students
  • Offer opportunities to increase agency awareness and support through participation in workshops, publications, and university and community events


What types of engaged learning opportunities are available?
Faculty and Students may choose from a variety of engaged learning opportunities which include:

  • Course-based experiential learning and civic engagement opportunities
    • Experiential Learning Plus-1 Credit
    • Alternative Spring Break
    • Pay it Forward
    • Community and campus-based partnerships
  • Leadership opportunities
    • Future Advocates of Civic Engagement (FACE) Fellowship Program
    • Faculty Associates
    • Service Scholars
  • Global Learning opportunities
    • Study Abroad
    • Immersion trips
  • Conferences, trainings, and workshops


What is the student's role in engaged learning opportunities?
This would depend upon the needs of the community partner (i.e. community agency). In some cases, a student might have a specific role and/or title such as project manager, staff, or coordinator. For another project, students may be required to sign a "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)" which may include the following expectations:

  • Enrich the learning experience while developing professional skills (such as effective communication, critical thinking, leadership, and an appreciation for differences)
  • Gain an understanding of social and community concerns
  • Demonstrate professional practice and ethical behavior while in the community
  • Submit to background checks and confidentiality rules as required by the community partner
  • Have transportation to and from the community partner site
  • Keep clear communication with the community partner and report any concerns to the supervisor, faculty, and the OEECE

  

About Experiential Education

How do experiential education, experiential learning, and civic engagement differ at Kent State University?

  • Experiential Education is an umbrella term describing teaching methods which utilize deliberate and purposeful engagement to influence student knowledge, skills, values, and promote the public good.
  • Experiential Learning is direct engagement in learning experiences that promotes academic relevance, enhances course significance, and encourages an understanding of real-world issues.
  • Civic Engagement is participatory actions designed to promote the quality of life of diverse communities. Civic engagement involves gaining an understanding of current community needs and systems and combining this understanding with knowledge, skills, and motivation to have a positive impact.
  • See more definitions here.


How does experiential education address the university's mission?
Experiential education aligns directly with the mission of Kent State University "…to discover, create, apply, and share knowledge as well to foster ethical and humanitarian values in service of Ohio and the global community.
What is the continuum?
The OEECE has developed the Continuum of Engaged Learning that promotes a process for student and community development through experiential education. It includes:

  • Engaged Learning - Student learning using engagement with organizations to broaden students' view of community and offer opportunities to serve.
  • Engaged Service-Learning - Student learning using course instruction, civic engagement, and reflection to enhance learning, broaden an appreciation of the discipline, and forward the goals of an organization.
  • Engaged Service-Scholarship - Student learning using a combination of service-learning and research methods to gain an understanding of civic issues and provide a rational for creating community solutions.
  • Engaged Community Development - Student learning using a combination of engaged service-scholarship, faculty, and community working together to develop, implement, and sustain locally controlled initiatives.


What is the OEECE's philosophy on experiential education?
The OEECE has developed three guiding principles for experiential education, which focuses on the dynamic relationship of the 21st Century undergraduate philosophy on knowledge, insight, engagement, and responsibility. Effective experiential education should:

  • Enhance the relevance of course and non-course related content to real-world issues
  • Favor hands-on student development and application of knowledge beyond the classroom
  • Promote psychosocial development through civic engagement, reflection, and other forms of hands-on learning


How will experiential education benefit students?
Experiential education will:

  • Enhance academic insights by putting classroom knowledge and skills to work
  • Provide unique opportunities to collaborate with the community
  • Showcase student talents and abilities
  • Strengthen skills that will give students a marketable advantage to 21st century employers
  • Help meet community needs in ways that current community resources cannot
  • Develop positive professional practices


How does experiential education benefit faculty?
Experiential Education will:

  • Facilitate the integration of teaching and learning strategies to enhance student learning experiences
  • Offer increased course enrollment
  • Offer a complement to scholarly interests
  • Create a platform for research and publication of engaged scholarship
  • Offer greater research interests and engagement from students enrolled in their courses


How will experiential education benefit community partners?
Experiential Education will:

  • Facilitate community partnerships with faculty, staff, and students to support the agency's mission and goals
  • Provide opportunities to support the intellectual and psychosocial development of KSU students
  • Offer opportunities to increase public awareness and support through participation in workshops, publications, and university and community events


How will being involved affect the course schedule?
The experiential learning component is often infused into the course and does not alter the course schedule. However, the Plus-1 Credit option, requires a certain time commitment beyond that of the primary course.
  

About Plus-1 Credit

What is the Plus-1 Credit?
The Experiential Learning Plus-1 Credit adds one credit to a course and provides students an opportunity to serve local community organizations. Students then reflect upon the impact of the service on their course experience. The Plus-1 Credit is designed to give students a greater sense of community and encourage a greater appreciation of the course subject.


Is the Plus-1 Credit available to all students?
Yes, the Plus-1 Credit is available to undergraduate students at all eight Kent campuses with faculty approval. Students will register for the Plus-1 Credit through the campus registrar's office associated with their enrollment.


Is there a limit to how many Plus-1 Credits a student can earn?
No, a student can enroll in the Plus-1 Credit course over multiple semesters; however, students can only apply the Plus-1 Credit to one course per semester.


Is there a cost involved with the Plus-1 Credit?
No, there is no additional cost to students enrolled in 11 or more credit hours.


Does the Plus-1 Credit meet an internship requirement?
No, an internship is an engaged experience in and of itself. The Plus-1 Credit is designed for courses that do not have an engaged learning component.


What is the deadline for Plus-1 Credit applications?
Plus-1 credit applications are due by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday of the second week of the semester.


Does the faculty need to know that a student is earning a Plus - 1 Credit?
Yes, the faculty of record must approve the Plus-1 credit application.


How do students apply?

  • Pick up a Plus-1 Credit application from the Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement (OEECE) at 203 Moulton Hall or download the PDF application from the OEECE website.
  • Contact the course instructor to discuss responsibilities and to obtain approval.
  • Submit the instructor approved Plus-1 Credit application to the OEECE via:
  • Email - experiential@kent.edu
  • Fax - 330-672-3815, or
  • Office - 203 Moulton Hall


    • What is the process?

    • Receive notification of the Plus-1 Credit approval and registration information.
    • Schedule an orientation meeting with the OEECE staff to obtain and review the Plus-1 Credit information packet.
    • Contact community partner to discuss activities.

    How do I get started?
    If interested, contact the OEECE by phone 330-672-7876, email at experiential@kent.edu, or stop by 203 Moulton Hall.
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