Experiential Learning Committee

Role statement

The Experiential Learning Committee will maintain a comprehensive, centralized inventory of Experience-Driven Learning, Service Learning, and Global Learning curricula at Western Michigan University to support institutional coordination, transparency, and continuous improvement. The inventory will enhance internal collaboration and serve as a strategic resource for external marketing and public communication aimed at prospective students, community partners, and the broader public.

Charges 2025-26

1. Develop strategic recommendations to expand and enrich service-learning course offerings. Conclude the initiative by producing a report to the Undergraduate Studies Council or a Memorandum of Action.
2. Streamline the service-learning course approval process to improve efficiency and accessibility. Conclude the initiative by producing a report to the Undergraduate Studies Council or a Memorandum of Action.
3. Update and enhance the service-learning website to better reflect current opportunities and resources.
4. Evaluate the value and impact of service-learning course designation to ensure its continued relevance. Conclude the initiative by producing a report to the Undergraduate Studies Council or a Memorandum of Action.
5. In collaboration with the International Education Council, identify and develop new global learning experiences that align with WMU's commitment to global engagement and intercultural competence. Conclude the initiative by producing a report to the Undergraduate Studies Council or a Memorandum of Action.
6. Provide best practices and innovative examples of experiential-learning across WMU programs. Conclude the initiative by producing a report to the Undergraduate Studies Council or a Memorandum of Action.
7. Encourage cross-departmental sharing of experiential-learning models to inspire new approaches and foster continuous improvement.

Approved by the Undergraduate Studies Council on Nov. 11, 2025

Click here for a printable version of the ELC 2025-26 Charges.

NOTE: The ELC will seek information from related administrative offices to maintain communications with those offices on issues directly related to them. Committee recommendations are to be submitted to the USC in the form of memorandum of action (MOA) on which the recommendation(s) is/are stated. Any draft MOAs requested by the USC should be submitted using the MOA template.

The ELC chairperson shall provide a written report of the committee’s accomplishments and progress for the year to the USC; list the above charges noting each item’s progress and current status; any other activities undertaken; and draft charges for the 2026-27 academic year, no later than May 30, 2026.