The Lougheed Center for Applied Learning was founded in 2015, rededicated in 2018, and convened a new Advisory Board in 2020.
Our Story
Reorganization
- The Center for Applied Learning was established.
- Initial offices included Experiential Education, International Education, and Student Research.
- Physical space was renovated and opened, co-locating all offices in the main library commons.
- The Center's ribbon-cutting was held on February 3, 2016.
Financial Support
- Richard and Joy Dorf make the first gift to $1M to help the College establish the Center for Applied Learning.
- Sally (Hanna) and Richard Gilchrist pledge an additional endowed fund, with annual giving until it is realized, to establish the Gilchrist Award for Applied Learning.
Research
- A 7-part Applied Learning Plan is completed for SUNY administration, detailing campus goals.
- All campus courses and programs assigned SUNY codes for assessment of Applied Learning uptake.
- The Applied Learning Think Tank formed to investigate campus strengths and challenges.
The Center
- SUNY granted the Center for Applied Learning $750K in Performance Improvement Funding.
- The new Center recorded 1,120 individual student appointments.
- The cross-departmental Global Experiences international internship program was piloted and operationalized.
Offices
- Facilitated and financially supported 6 travel courses, and approved 8 for the 2017-2018 academic year.
- Maintained 2015-2016's record-breaking internship participation, sending 501 students on internships.
Growth
- Delivered 14 service learning courses, and developed 4 new courses.
- Established the Cuba Initiative, sending 16 faculty and staff and 40+ students to Cienfuegos, Cuba to study.
- Established the Law Enforcement Training Institute, providing exemplary pre-employment police training to criminal justice students.
New Programs
- Career Services joins Academic Affairs as part of Applied Learning; 2 new Career Coaches are hired.
- The Honors Program and Presidential Scholars are combined with Student Research to form The Office for Student Research and Creativity.
Lougheed
- Donald and Kathryn Lougheed give $5.25M to support the work of the Center for Applied Learning, which is renamed in their honor.
- Two rounds of Lougheed Applied Learning Grants are awarded to faculty, funding 21 faculty from 15 departments.
Commitment
- Applied Learning is included as a requirement in the proposed revision to General Education requirements.
- Applied Learning is an explicit goal in the strategic plans for the campus - A Vision For Our Best - and for Academic Affairs.
- First assessment of demographics of student participants in Applied Learning is completed.
New Approaches
- Partnering with BOCES and regional community colleges to expand recruitment and applied learning.
- Developing peer mentor program to extend the reach of our services on campus.
- Building Applied Learning micro-credential (or "badges") for students in Volunteerism and Career Readiness.
New Goals
- Implementing Handshake, an industry-leading software for student communication and records management.
- Creating and marketing 15-20 new scholarships for applied learning students.
- Beginning targeted alumni outreach to support mentoring goals.
Curriculum
- Teaching several sections of exploratory career course aimed at increasing student persistence.
- Sending two faculty and staff to Puerto Rico to lead SUNY-wide New York Stands With Puerto Rico service learning courses.
- Developing student learning outcomes for the new General Education Pathways program.
Beginning in 2019, a permanent full-time administrator was assigned to the Lougheed Center for Applied Learning. Jenica Rogers continues in her role as the Dorf Endowed Director for Applied Learning, but in a full-time appointment. The Center is taking on new challenges, focusing on continuing to scale our programs to meet the needs of our student and alumni populations.