Shaping the future of education through practical experience, Utah State University's College of Arts and Sciences, known as ArtSci, is leveraging its Experiential Learning Fund to bridge the gap between academic theory and tangible societal impact. As the institution gears up for its A Day of Giving campaign, ArtSci is rallying support for the fund that aids students with expenses related to internships, research, study abroad, and professional development, according to a recent announcement.
The utility of this fund was evident this past summer when it assisted six ArtSci students in securing internships with Young Community Developers (YCD), a nonprofit in San Francisco dedicated to helping individuals rise above poverty and forging pathways to lasting economic stability. They work across the board, encompassing education, housing assistance, and workforce development to fortify communities and create thriving opportunities. Conceived by the college and alumnus Dion-Jay (DJ) Brookter ’06, specifically, USU students were sent to San Francisco for a six-week duration serving as classroom assistants within YCD's educational programs during the summer period.
Highlighting the significance of fieldwork in shaping career paths, Rachel Carey, a communication studies major at USU, emphasized the practical application of her studies, "This whole experience has made me realize that whatever I do, I want to help people, and I would love to do that in a nonprofit space," according to USU Today. Indeed, students engaged in real-world conflicts, applying their academic knowledge in a setting that goes beyond textbook cases into the heart of community challenges.
Benefitting from the fund's provision, the interns did not merely observe but actively participated in the microcosm of societal challenges, contributing to the enrichment programs that keep high school students engaged throughout summer, it underscored the importance of having students trained in conflict management, social work and communication studies directly integrate into such vital community outreach, providing a substantial support system for the young minds they collaborated with, as considered by Cree Taylor, ArtSci's director for experiential learning strategy, who pointed out, "The USU interns worked with students facing all types of personal and social challenges," Taylor told USU Today.
