Our Mission

The CLAS Center for Experiential Learning (CCEL) advocates for and supports programs that provide students with the practical skills and real-world experience necessary for success. Through the lens of equity and excellence, our programs support high-impact and experiential learning opportunities that ensure all students gain the confidence to pursue their passions.

Talent Link

Regional Math/Science Center

CLAS Voyage

What is experiential learning?

Experiential learning is an active, hands-on approach to education that goes beyond the classroom. It encompasses a variety of immersive experiences, including simulations, project-based learning, community engagement, undergraduate research, fieldwork, study away and abroad, and internships. These opportunities foster real-world problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability—essential skills for today’s graduates to thrive in dynamic environments. As Hutchings notes, experiential learning provides "complex, social, and unscripted forms of learning that today's [graduates] need to succeed" (Hutchings 13).

What does CCEL do to support experiential learning?

CCEL supports experiential learning that exists across CLAS by:

Providing infrastructure to address equity and sustainability of the Voyage
Supporting the CLAS Summer Institute
Acting as a hub for community partnerships in CLAS
Initiating and sustaining paid internships and work-integrated education, including the Laker Accelerated Talent Link and community work-study pilot
Promoting experiential learning and CLAS Voyage resources to students and faculty
- Faculty Request Form
Supporting the assessment of experiential learning