Task Force Develops Mission, Vision, and Definition for Experiential Learning

Task Force Develops Mission, Vision, and Definition for Experiential Learning

The Experiential Learning Task Force at Minnesota State Moorhead has now met twice and is making strong progress toward establishing a shared institutional framework. The task force, composed of faculty, staff, students, and community partners, has collaboratively developed the following mission and vision statements.

Mission

Experiential learning at Minnesota State Moorhead engages students in hands-on, real-world learning through collaboration with faculty, staff, employers, and community partners. These experiences are transformative, equipping students with the skills needed to be successful in their career paths.

Vision

Minnesota State Moorhead envisions a university where students engage deeply with experiential learning, emerging as adaptable, reflective graduates prepared to make meaningful contributions in their careers and communities.

During the February meeting, the task force began refining how Moorhead defines experiential learning, and began to iterate on the following definition.

Experiential Learning Definition

Experiential learning is an intentionally designed, real-world learning experience that is connected to students’ career goals and includes structured reflection that helps students understand, apply, and grow from the experience.

A transformational experiential learning experience must be:

• Intentionally designed
• Grounded in a real-world context with a clear connection to career pathways and long-term development
• Includes structured reflection

This evolving definition is the beginning of an experiential learning framework that will establish a common language for identifying and enhancing experiential learning both on and off campus.

In the coming months, the task force will finalize the experiential learning framework, identify potential barriers to accessibility, as well as make recommendations to help support and enhance experiential learning at Moorhead.

Additional updates will be shared as the task force’s work continues.