Society for Experiential Education

SEE FELLOW SPOTLIGHT: Kayla Pineda, Ph.D., Executive Director, Bulldog Experience Initiative, Mississippi State University. Kayla Pineda leads the Bulldog Experience initiative at Mississippi State University, leveraging her expertise in institutional effectiveness to enhance experiential learning opportunities across campus. Collaborating closely with faculty and staff, she works to enrich student engagement and academic growth. Kayla earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from MSU, where her research focused on student engagement. She is committed to helping students reflect on their experiences, equipping them with the skills and insights needed to make a meaningful impact on the future. For more information on the SEE Fellows Program, visit https://lnkd.in/gapGAA6f

SEE FELLOW SPOTLIGHT: Marianna Savoca, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Career Readiness & Experiential Education at Stony Brook University. Marianna Savoca leads initiatives at Stony Brook University, NY to scale career readiness and access to high-impact, learning-integrated experiences. Her work crosses divisional lines, connecting careers with academics, enrollment management, advancement, economic development, and student affairs. Dr. Savoca is a faculty member in Higher Education Administration and Co-PI on several research grants supporting underserved students in STEM. She co-authored A Good Job: Campus Employment as a High-Impact Practice (Stylus, 2018); and chapters in Advancing Talent Development: Steps Toward a T-Model Infused Undergraduate Education (Business Expert Press, 2020), and the Handbook for Student Affairs Administration – 5th Ed. (Jossey-Bass, 2023). She earned a PhD from Colorado State University and MS from Indiana University. For more information on the SEE Fellows Program, visit https://lnkd.in/gapGAA6f

From the March 2025 issue of ELTHE - "Transformative" Reflection: Re-defining Reflection Towards a Shared Destination "Through a case study of the 'My London Story' study abroad program, which implemented a transformative reflection model guided by transformative learning objectives (TLOs), this paper explores how reflective practices can foster significant, shared learning outcomes....The essay concludes that integrating new forms of reflective writing and digital media into experiential learning can profoundly enrich students’ self-awareness and prepare them for future challenges, emphasizing the need for intentional, mentored reflection to achieve transformative learning outcomes." Authors: Jonathan Balzotti, Jamin Rowan, Mat Duerden Read the article in ELTHE (free with an email registration): https://lnkd.in/gNfq_6rw Listen to the Mindset in Motion Podcast Episode from Symplicity: https://lnkd.in/gkWtkSJw

SEE FELLOW SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Bradley Hilgert, PhD, Academic Vice-Rector at Universidad de las Artes. Bradley Hilgert, Ph.D. is the Academic Vice-Rector at Universidad de las Artes in Ecuador. He leads institutional transformation through experiential learning, intercultural education, and community engagement. Committed to fostering inclusive and interdisciplinary approaches, he has reimagined educational models to bridge academia and society, integrating artistic practices with social impact. For more information on the SEE Fellows Program, visit https://lnkd.in/gapGAA6f

SEE FELLOW SPOTLIGHT: Robin Selzer, PhD, Professor in the College of Cooperative Education & Professional Studies at the University of Cincinnati. Robin Selzer is a Professor in the College of Cooperative Education & Professional Studies at the University of Cincinnati. She teaches Professional Development/Experiential Learning courses to diverse majors and specializes in Pre-Health and Public Health. Her scholarship focuses on intercultural learning, women’s leadership, social justice, and body image. She holds a PhD in Higher Education Administration from Loyola Chicago, is a Gallup Strengths Coach, IDI Qualified Administrator, and Pilates/Yoga Instructor. For more information on the SEE Fellows Program, visit https://lnkd.in/gapGAA6f

SEE FELLOW SPOTLIGHT: Doug Porter, Director for the Vol Edge at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Doug Porter serves as Associate Director for the Vol Edge at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, focusing on lifting student career readiness and engagement in experiential learning. Prior to coming to UT, Doug worked on career readiness and experiential learning initiatives at Brigham Young University’s College of Humanities. Doug holds a B.A. in Spanish Translation and an M.A. in Hispanic Linguistics, both from Brigham Young University. For more information on the SEE Fellows Program, visit https://lnkd.in/gapGAA6f

From the March 2025 issue of ELTHE - "On-Campus Internships at Binghamton University, State University of New York" "Internships are educationally powerful practice-runs for the world of work and civic participation after college. But in too many cases these experiences are out of reach, for the students whose off-campus responsibilities -- or just transportation challenges -- get in the way. Learn how SUNY Binghamton extends the reach of this high-impact practice, and hear directly from students about the benefits.” Watch the video: https://lnkd.in/gDcjFBZT Read ELTHE for FREE with an email registration at https://lnkd.in/gNfq_6rw. Contributors: Chris Wandell, Michael Martin

SEE FELLOW SPOTLIGHT: Philip Heavilin II, Ed.D., Director of Internships & Applied Learning at William & Mary Philip D. Heavilin II, Ed.D. currently serves as the Director of Internships & Applied Learning at William & Mary, leading campus-wide initiatives to increase student access to experiential learning opportunities. He holds a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania, an MA in higher education from Michigan State University, and a BS in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University. For more information on the SEE Fellows Program, visit https://lnkd.in/gapGAA6f

SEE FELLOW SPOTLIGHT: Cynthia P. Stewart, PhD, M.Div., MTS, MA, Director of Experiential Learning and Instructor for Loyola University Chicago, Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health Cynthia P. Stewart, Ph.D. is the Director of Experiential Learning and Instructor for Loyola University Chicago, Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health. She works with undergraduate, graduate level students and community partners for semester long placements, as well as engage with alumni for networking and student engagement opportunities. She has taught a variety of courses, but currently teaches a Public Health internship course, which prepares students for the professional workforce after graduation. Cynthia is on the editorial board for Metropolitan Universities Journal/Coalition for Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) and has published many articles in the journal, as well as presentations at various conferences. She has been a member of SEE (formerly NSEE) since 2007 and completed the SEE Experiential Education Academy. She has been a member of SEE Research and Scholarship committee since 2021. Cynthia holds a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary on the campus of Northwestern University and a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts from North Park Theological Seminary. Majored in Bachelor of Science – Electrical Engineering, Western Illinois University and has a Certificate in Faith Based Community Development from dual program Harvard Divinity and Kennedy School of Government. For more information on the SEE Fellows Program, visit https://lnkd.in/gapGAA6f

From the March 2025 issue of ELTHE - "Defining Experiential Education for Applications in Higher Education: A Call to Action" "As the context of experiential learning has evolved over the last several decades, we argue this is a moment of inflection. This essay follows a human-centered design process to update the definition of experiential education (EE) for the Society for Experiential Education (SEE). The authors stewarded a 20-month process to identify needs, define the challenge, develop solutions, and create prototypes. Data collection, reflection, and transformation occurred through dozens of conversations with hundreds of stakeholders from the broader EE community and SEE members, stakeholders. The prototype definitions are here! In the context of an experientially focused and practical project, the authors share and reflect upon three emergent prototype definitions. The prototypes reflect the needs of both educators and community partners throughout the experiential learning ecosystem. The reflections help us connect this project back to the broader landscape of evidence-driven practice in North American higher education.” Read the article in ELTHE (free with an email registration): https://lnkd.in/e9WD5DZi Listen to the Mindset in Motion (MIM) Podcast from Symplicity: https://lnkd.in/gfiGgXh3 Authors: Bill Heinrich PhD, Patrick M. Green