The University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) is committed to offering innovative, high-impact, and real-world opportunities to all of its students through experience-driven programs. High quality experiential learning (EL) programs deepen graduate and undergraduate education, respond to the needs of society, contribute to community-campus relationships and enhance the reputation of the University. The transformative potential of experiential learning builds student professional capacity through autonomy, adaptability and resilience.
Our commitment to EL is operationalized through the support provided by many groups —especially the Experiential Education Unit (OVPD), the Career Centre, and the Centre for Student Engagement — to faculty, administrative staff, librarians, community partners and employers as they engage students in a wide range of EL opportunities, including work-integrated and community-engaged learning activities, that develop skills, clarify values, contribute to local and global communities, and prepare students for an ever-changing world.
Goals
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develop a communication strategy to build a culture of experiential learning at UTM
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communicate UTM EL strategy to employers and community partners to expand opportunities for students
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assist faculty and administrative staff in the creation of EL opportunities aligned with the campus’s Academic Plan, the University of Toronto’s key priorities, and the provincial guidelines for experiential (work-integrated) learning
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develop materials and resources needed to ensure EL opportunities fit the provincial guidelines and offer a high quality experience to UTM students
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catalogue existing opportunities to determine fit with UTM criteria and provincial guidelines, and identify actions to expand the range of opportunities
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identify best practices to engage employers/community partners to develop opportunities appropriate to student talents
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promote EL opportunities that enhance students’ learning and employability, and encourage appropriate career exploration, awareness, aspirations, interests, and adaptability
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facilitate the different forms/options of EL opportunities available to students, ranging from a series of internship and community-engaged service learning to a work-integrated learning (WIL) certificate program
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support collaborations across departments and units to develop unique interdisciplinary experiences
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support the educational needs of UTM’s diverse student population in collaboration with UTM’s AccessAbility Services, Indigenous Centre, Equity and Diversity Office and other key partners on campus
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create an EL bursary program to support the academic pursuits of qualified undergraduate students who require financial assistance
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provide models and resources for EL best practices, including EL assessment, reflection, mentorship and advising
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develop appropriate metrics and methods of evaluation to assess the impact of EL opportunities in consultation with faculty, administrative staff, librarians and students, with the assistance of the Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre
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maintain a database of UTM EL opportunities. Provide structure and tracking of EL opportunities for reporting purposes and set targets to reach government reporting requirements; coordinate EL opportunities and/or provide linkages with faculty for academic EL opportunities
