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Experiential Learning Opportunity

The Experiential Learning Opportunity (ELO) Program is a cohort-based professional development program for faculty members (tenured, tenure-track, instructor, and visiting) and academic program coordinators to implement new, enhance existing, and/or scale up experiential learning activities for students. Over an academic-year, ELO program participants complete a series of workshops on EL and present a final deliverable at a year-end Showcase event.

Participants receive stipends to complete the program and (if available) are eligible for start-up funds to implement their final deliverable projects in the following academic year.

Applications for the second cohort open in February 2026.

  • Afshar - Business-Integrated Marketing Courses

    Coggin College of Business – Department of Marketing & Logistics

    Dr. Maryam Afshar proposes adapting two marketing courses—Marketing Research and Social & Ethical Issues in Marketing—for experiential learning. Students will work with real clients like Rethreaded and SCORE Jacksonville on research and service-learning projects. The goal is to enhance workplace readiness and community engagement.

  • Cesar – Applied Biomechanics Experiential Learning Program

    Brooks College of Health – Department of Physical Therapy

    Dr. Guilherme (Gui) Cesar proposes a structured program integrating biomechanics and rehabilitation technology for students in engineering, kinesiology, and physical therapy. It includes capstone courses, interdisciplinary research, and scientific communication training. The program emphasizes hands-on lab work, mentorship, and real-world problem-solving.

  • DiVittore-Goodrum – Biology Lab for Psychology Majors

    College of Arts & Sciences – Department of Biology

    Dr. Brittney DiVittore-Goodrum proposes a redesigned Principles of Biology Lab tailored for psychology majors. The lab will emphasize experimental design, statistical analysis, and anatomy relevant to psychology. It includes a pilot phase with DIS students and aims to improve scientific literacy and engagement.

  • Freeder – Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) Expansion

    College of Arts & Sciences – Department of Political Science & Public Administration

    Dr. Sean Freeder plans to enhance PORL’s integration into undergraduate courses, especially POS2041 and POS3444. Students will engage in survey design, data analysis, and community-focused writing projects. The initiative aims to build research, writing, and civic engagement skills across disciplines.

  • Hall – Ospreys Teaching in Italy

    Silverfield College of Education & Human Services – Department of Teaching, Learning, & Curriculum

    Dr. Katrina Hall aims to expand an existing study abroad program in Corciano, Italy, where ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ students teach English and literacy to P–5 children. The project includes clinical field placements, cultural immersion, and professional learning communities. It supports preservice teachers in developing pedagogical skills and cultural competence.

  • Hallett – Faith-Based Prison Visitation Program

    College of Arts & Sciences – Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice

    Dr. Michael Hallett proposes integrating prison site visits to Lawtey Correctional Institution into his undergraduate corrections course. Students will engage with inmates and staff to explore faith-based rehabilitation. The project uses Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory and includes structured reflection, analysis, and service-learning components.

  • Ma – Accounting and Data Analytics Course Redesign

    Coggin College of Business – Department of Accounting & Finance

    Dr. Yan (Vicky) Ma plans to scale up two new courses in accounting and data analytics. The redesign includes project-based learning with industry partners via CapSource, replacing traditional exams with real-world data analysis and presentations. The initiative also intends to create a pathway for undergraduate students to pursue the new MS in Accounting and Data Analytics program.

  • Matheson – Philosopher in Residence Program

    College of Arts & Sciences – Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies

    Led by Dr. Jonathan Matheson, this pilot program trains ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ students to facilitate ethical discussions in local high schools using Ethics Bowl cases. Students will receive training in philosophy for children (P4C), character education, and public philosophy. The goal is to cultivate intellectual humility and open-mindedness through teaching, with potential expansion to other community settings like libraries and prisons.

  • Schonning – Experiential Biomechanics Innovation Hub

    College of Computing, Engineering, & Construction – School of Engineering

    Proposed by Dr. Alexandra Schonning, this initiative introduces a new course, Biomechanics Rotation Practicum, and formalizes experiential elements in the Biomechanics Minor. Students will rotate through clinical and industry sites, engage in senior design projects, and receive mentorship. The program strengthens industry partnerships and prepares students for careers in biomechanics.

Application Information

For the application, you will submit your contact and department information, upload a C.V., and upload a letter outlining your proposed project for the program.

The letter outlining your proposed project needs to be 12-point font, single-spaced, and a maximum of three (3) pages that follows the framework provided below.

You will also need the support from your department chair. When you submit your application, it will trigger an automatic email to your department chair requesting their response in support of your application. They simply need to respond to the email and do not need to write a formal letter.

A description of your proposed Experiential Learning Opportunity Project (You have 2 options)
  1. Describe the EL course or program you want to revise or enhance, specifically, aspects you want to improve (e.g., linking EL to Academic Learning Compacts, improved reflection products, enhanced relationships with EL partners, assess student learning outcomes of EL, evaluating impacts of EL). Describe the changes you intend to make in the course or program and what you want to learn through participating in the ELO program. What specific outcomes do you expect to see because of your revisions or enhancements? How will you assess these changes?

  2. Describe the EL course or program you want to create or scale up, specifically, the why, what, how, and who (e.g., why - culminating experience for students; what - capstone course; how - experimental course for students to explore program outcomes and competencies through constructing a portfolio; who - program majors). What is the area of experiential learning you want to focus on for your project? What are the things you need to make the course or program successful? How will you know that it is successful?

Describe your intended implementation plan for your project. How will you recruit and encourage student participation?

A description of your understanding of and commitment to Experiential Learning:
  • List any EL courses or programs you led.
    • If your proposed project is a course, append a syllabus for the one you want to revise or enhance (it does not count towards the three-page limit).
    • If your proposed project is a program, append an outline of the program you want to revise or enhance (it does not count towards the three-page limit).
  • Briefly describe your experience with assessing and evaluating EL courses and programs. Summarize two key findings you learned from leading EL courses and programs.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have not taught EL courses or led EL programs, you can still apply to the Experiential Learning Opportunity Program. It is a professional development program to help build skills and competencies for participants. It is helpful for us to understand what exposure applicants have to experiential learning before starting the program.

A description of how the ELO Program and Experiential Learning aligns with your personal and professional goals:
  • What is the personal and/or professional benefit of your participation in ELO?
  • How does participation advance the mission of your department/college and contribute to ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ goals?
  • How does your proposed project advance the understanding of Experiential Learning.
If you have questions about the Experiential Learning Opportunity Faculty Fellow program, you can contact the Office of Experiential Learning, explearn@unf.edu.