Experience SPC Campus Life Student Life Experiential Learning
Student Life

Experiential Learning

 

AlamoEXPERIENCE – Definition, Mission, Vision

DEFINITION
Experiential Learning is the development of new skills and/or perspectives
gained through experience and personal reflection.

MISSION
Provide Alamo Colleges students with Experiential Learning opportunities
that enhance student learning and serve to guide career pathways

VISION
Transform every student’s life through Experiential Learning

The Department of Student Life has collaborated with our Academic faculty and Student Success staff to produce a series of experiential learning programming opportunities (extra-curricular, co-curricular, and service learning) within each institute that helps extend student learning outside of the classroom. Activities, events, and information are provided to students on both of our campuses and via our online clubs (in AlamoEXPERIENCE). Examples of experiential learning activities include:

  • Institute Mixers
  • Guest Speakers
  • Local Field Trips
  • Institute Job Fairs
  • Institute Career and Transfer Services Workshops
  • Community Service
  • Internships
  • Career Exploration Field Trips

Signature experiential learning events supported by the Department of Student Life include:

  • CultureFest
  • Red Dress Luncheon
  • HBCU Truth and Reconciliation Oral History Project
  • Lunch and Lead Sessions
  • MLK March
  • Cesar Chavez March
  • Juneteenth Parade
  • Monster Tech Fest

Best of all, participation is tracked and added to our students' Experience Transcript in AlamoEXPERIENCE to help them quantify and demonstrate their holistic journey to future employers or transfer institutions.

To get involved in one of our many events, click here.

For more information on the Alamo Institutes, click here.

Have an amazing idea for a experiential learning activity? Contact our staff below!

Department of Student Life Lead: Dr. Angela McPherson Williams, awilliams284@alamo.edu

Alamo Institutes Admin for Institutes 1 & 6: Courtney Brown, cbrown420@alamo.edu

Alamo Institutes Admin for Institutes 2 & 4: Mercedes Rodriguez, mrodriguez1502@alamo.edu

Alamo Institutes Admin for Institutes 3 & 5: Ryan Garza, rgarza319@alamo.edu

Alamo Institutes Admin for Southwest Campus: Jason Balencia, jbalencia2@alamo.edu

How does SPC Student Life define Co-Curricular Programming?

Activities, programs, and learning experiences that supplement and complement the college curriculum support the academic experience and strengthen retention and completion outside of the classroom (Astin, 1984).

Other definitions for our St. Philip's College programming philosophy include:

Experiential Learning: Activities and events outside of the classroom that enhance student engagement, foster leadership development, develops soft skills, and strengthen retention and completion (Chickering, 1969; Kohlberg, 1977).

Service-Learning: An engaging learning strategy that combines course content with relevant community service. Through course work, community service, and critical self-reflection, students gain increased knowledge and a sense of civic responsibility  (Jacoby, 2009).

Extracurricular: Activities and events that provide opportunities for reflection as students develop knowledge, skills, and values from direct experiences outside the traditional academic setting. (Kolb, 1984).