Experiential Learning Institute

Experiential learning provides learners real world and hands-on opportunities preparing them for an ever-changing and diverse world. The purpose of experiential learning is to actively engage the learner through relevant and ongoing experience, critical problem solving and reflective practices. Learners who engage in experiential learning are more likely to persist through their college experience, graduate, and become lifelong, self-directed learners.

The Experiential Learning Institute (ELI) exists to expand experiential learning college-wide, which began in 2016. The Institute collaborates with both on-campus and community stakeholders to engage students and the community, locally, nationally and globally. The connects the community and NMC by seeking creative partnerships, serving ongoing community needs, and preparing learners for future employment.

The Strategic Plan has been approved by the NMC Board of Trustees and the ELI's goal is that every credential-seeking student will benefit from at least one ELO (Experiential Learning Opportunity) by September, 2024. ELOs can occur in courses, internships, apprenticeships, community research, service learning, international students, cocurricular/extracurricular activities and other campus activities.

Experiential Learning Institute Newsletters

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Latest Edition - September 2023

Upcoming Experiential Learning Events

NMC Student Activities Calendar

  • Coffee & Careers Chat with Amy Burns-Bailey on the last Wednesday of each month this Fall from 9–10 a.m. in the Experiential Learning Institute (TJNIC Room 103)

NEWLY ADDED to the ELI webpages, the Cotto Changemaker Challenge! The Cotto Changemaker Challenge honors Emerita Vice President of Lifelong Learning Marguerite Cotto. This $2,000 prize that is indented to inspire student teams to explore interdisciplinary solutions to challenges facing our region.

Past Events

  • National Apprenticeship Week: November 14–20
  • Walk for Health and Housing: November 16
  • Food for Thought Thanks-for Giving Project: November 21
  • Study Abroad Poster Contest Winner Displays: November 30
  • Rotaract Holiday Card Decorating: December 1
  • Baja Event: December 6 and January 28
  • Student Connect International Tea: December 7
  • Rotaract Monthly Meeting: December 7 & February 1
  • Navigating the Career Fair: February 27 & 28
  • Career Fair: March 2
  • Holi Lunch and Learn: March 8
  • Free Professional Headshots: March 9
  • LinkedIn Sessions with Chaim Shapiro: March 16
  • Service Learning Smaller Modules: March 17
  • Student Connect International Tea: March 22
  • Big Little Hero Race: April 22
  • 2nd Annual NMC ELI Learning Symposium: May 1–4

NMC psychology student in an experiential learning class
Experiential Learning Flips Classroom Scripts

Since late 2016, a core group of faculty have been working to take EL to critical mass campus-wide.