By Don Stenta, Ph.D.

The International Experiential Learning Institute experience ties professional development in experiential learning with a sense of place. At the 2015 Institute—which is taking place from July 12-15—that place will be Boston, Massachusetts, and the learning community will be informed by Boston’s history and culture.

People from this area—both together and across differences—built a city that honors and respects unique cultures. Boston grew from both similarities and differences, so attendees will have the chance to reflect on the notion that our differences challenge us to grow and develop. The location will help create a trusting learning community whose participants are not only there to learn, but can help teach and inform others.

Institute participants will become better connected to experiential learning theories that help inform the work that we—as collegiate recreation professionals—do in outdoor adventure, intramurals, group fitness, facility management, aquatics, and across our entire profession. They will become very comfortable with the theories, but—more importantly—will be able to understand how to connect them to practice. These connections will continue to offer insight into how collegiate recreation programs, services, and facilities assist with student learning and academic success.

The 2015 International Experiential Learning Institute will include two and a half days of content exploring the intersection of experiential theories and practice. Several sessions will be led by Dr. Laura Osteen, Director of Florida State’s Center for Leadership and Social Change and an adjunct faculty member in the Higher Education department at Florida State. Dr. Osteen teaches the Leadership and Complexity course in the Undergraduate Leadership Studies Certificate Program and has been honored by FSU with the Uphold the Garnet and Gold Award. She is active in the International Leadership Association, with LeaderShape Incorporated, and serves on the Journal of College and Character Editorial Board.

She received her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Maryland, College Park in college student personnel with an emphasis in leadership development. She conducts research in undergraduate change agent development and is a member of the Leadership Identity Development (LID) research team. The LID model is a guiding framework for undergraduate leadership development programs across the country. In Boston, she will link this model with a number of experiential learning theories to provide opportunities for in-depth study, immersion, analysis, application, and reflection on the impact on our practices. Dr. Osteen will ensure that the learning community we form is both supportive and challenging.

Don’t miss out on this unique professional development opportunity—registration for the 2015 International Experiential Learning Institute is now open!

 

For more information about the 2015 International Experiential Learning Institute, please contact NIRSA Professional Development Coordinator John Raskauskas.