Dr. Quan offers CSL because of its unique opportunity to offer students something different. Learning is not one-size-fits-all.
“Students have diverse interests and expectations in their undergrad. I wanted alternative activities to allow students who enjoy real-world work to integrate theoretical course content.”
Because the placements are closely related to course content, class discussions are enriched by students’ real-world experiences.
“It’s clear from their reflection journals that students have navigated complex situations by applying course concepts.”
The list of benefits for students participating in CSL goes on and on.
““I was a skeptic of experiential learning in my undergrad. Even when I became a professor, I wasn’t sure if it was worth it. Now I know those thoughts were unfounded.””
Jeffry Quan
“Typically limited to academic contexts, CSL helps students become more well-rounded,” Dr. Quan says.
But students aren’t the sole benefactors. Community partners remark that the steady supply of eager volunteers truly makes a big difference to their non-profit organizations.
Many students report that the experience of being placed in the community was more enriching than they initially expected. Dr. Quan says that some continue volunteering even after reaching the 30-hour requirement. Students who choose to participate in CSL develop subject matter knowledge and soft skills, like communication and professional self-regulation, and an ability to “make sense of real-life experiences through the lens of behavioral science,” Dr. Quan says.
Evidently, CSL is a program Dr. Quan endorses enormously. He encourages other professors to offer the option to their own students and recommends they establish a good working relationship with the CE team.
“Open communications about everyone’s expectations and responsibilities makes for a smooth experience for students, so they know who to turn to when they need support.”