Indiana Careers at Saint Mary's College

Fellowships in Experiential Learning (FELs)

An example of this type of Fellowship...

An example of a possible FEL might include a project that allows a faculty member to develop a new course, or add a new component to an existing course, that incorporates experiential learning activities into regular classroom instruction.

Social Work 390: Intercultural Leadership Development is evidence that such activities are viable at Saint Mary’s.

This course uses a community-based learning model that places students in local agencies and requires them to actively participate in leadership opportunities.

Seventeen students enrolled in the course in spring 2003, the first semester it was offered.

The overall goal of this Fellowship program is to involve Saint Mary's students in the economic life of the State and prepare them to take advantage of the economic opportunities that Indiana provides. Saint Mary's College offers faculty the opportunity to help students explore the career options and economic opportunities available to college graduates in the State of Indiana through Fellowships in Experiential Learning.

FELs will release faculty from the teaching of one course during an academic year so that they can develop or implement an experiential learning opportunity for students with a business, government agency, or non-profit organization located in Indiana.

Similar to the SELs, faculty requesting a FEL must describe how their projects will enhance the experiential learning opportunities that are available to students and provide an estimate as to how many students their project will impact.

The College expects FEL projects to generate an experiential learning opportunity for at least three students.

Preference in the selection process for FELs will be given to projects that build on work initiated through a SEL, propose to impact a significant number of students at different stages in the career development process, or establish experiential learning opportunities that are sustainable after the support available through this grant ends.

It is important to note that the recipients of both SELs and FELs will have access to modest funds to support grant-related travel and the purchase of supplies and materials. Students receiving SELs also will have the opportunity to apply for funds to help cover any housing costs associated with the experiential learning activity they intend to complete.

Please explore the information below to learn more about grant eligibility, resources, and number of awards available, and information about the selection process, application guidelines and requirements.

Eligibility

All faculty are eligible to apply for Fellowships in Experiential Learning. Preference will be given to faculty who propose to develop internship opportunities outside of the South Bend area.

Resources Available

The following resources will be available to the recipients of Fellowships in Experiential Learning:

1. A release from the teaching of one course during the academic year

2. A travel budget of up to $750;

3. A supplies budget of up to $1,000.

Number of Awards Available

There will be one (1) Fellowship in Experiential Learning available in each of the following academic years: 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08

Application/Selection Process

Applications must be submitted to the Office of the Director, 032 College Student Center. Please call x4775 for deadlines for the current academic year.

Application Guidelines

Faculty interested in being considered for a Fellowship in Experiential Learning will be required to submit an application packet consisting of:

1. A cover letter that identifies the applicant and all of his/her proposed partners

2. A project description (see below for specific limitations and criteria);

3. A letter of recommendation from the chair of the applicant's department that identifies when the applicant will receive his/her course release.

(The College will work with the department of a successful applicant to make all of the arrangements necessary to cover the course release associated with the Fellowship.)

Project Description

Project Descriptions will be limited to two (2) single-spaced pages with one-inch margins and a font size of no less than 12.

Project descriptions should address the following items:

1. The scope of the activities the applicant will engage in during his/her Fellowship

2. The benefit that these activities will have on the professional development of students

3. A description of the partners (both internal and external) that will be involved

4. A plan for sustaining the experiential learning opportunities that are developed during the Fellowship.

Questions?

For more information about INC @ SMC or any of its programs, please contact:

Stacie Jeffirs, CCO Director
032 College Student Center
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone (574) 284-4775
sjeffirs@saintmarys.edu

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Indiana Post-Baccalaureate Fellowships are made possible by a grant from the Lilly Endowment's Initiative to Promote Opportunity through Educational Collaborations.