CONTENTS
- OEL’S MISSION, VISION & VALUES
- OEL’S DIVERSE EXPERIENCES
- IMPACT IN ACTION: OEL EXPANDS ENGAGED LEARNING AROUND THE WORLD
- STUDENT DEVELOPMENT EXEMPLIFIED
- U.S. AND BEYOND THE BORDERS
- EXPANDING OEL EXPERIENCES
- OEL’S MEANINGFUL CURRICULUM AND DEDICATION TO COLLABORATION
- ACHIEVING YOUR DREAMS WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT
- OEL MAKES A DIFFERENCE BY SUPPORTING STUDENTS
- OEL STRATEGIC COMPASS PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS
- CONTACT OEL
OEL'S MISSON, VISION & VALUES
Mission
The Office of Engaged Learning leads and supports the development of opportunities for UIS students to be actively engaged in experiential learning.
Vision
UIS understands the value and importance of experiential learning to the development and growth of the individual and of society. The Office of Engaged Learning at UIS will work with local, state, national, and global communities to develop a network of experiential learning opportunities to inspire students to become intentional learners, professionals and social citizens.
Values
- Student Focus - Inclusivity and Transparency, Personal Attention, Innovative Connections, Resiliency
- Engaged Learning through Experience - 21-Century Skills, Personal and Professional Development, Civic Engagement, Intercultural and Global Awareness, Reflection and Assessment
- Collaborative Community - Meaningful Relationships & Connections, Strategic Response to Needs, Positive Impact on Student Learning, Advocating for Learning through Experience
OEL’S DIVERSE EXPERIENCES
Career-Education Experiences (affiliated with Internships and Prior Learning Program – IPL)
- U.S. Academic Internships
- International Academic Internships
- Professional Projects
- Research Projects
- Global Brigades Service Projects
- Grant-Sponsored-ICWS Internships
- Partner-Sponsored Internships
- Co. Starters Internships
- LLE Student Employment
Service Experiences
- Service-Learning
Prior Learning Assessment
- Prior Learning Portfolio
Study Away Experiences (affiliated with the Study Away Program – SAP)
- National Student Exchanges
- International Student Exchanges
- Faculty-Led-Short-Term
- UIS Non-Affiliate Independent
- UIS Partner Direct-Enrolled
- UIS Partner Exchange Program
OEL LEADS CAMPUS EFFORTS IN ENGAGED LEARNING
Engaged learning academic courses are paired with work-integrated and community-based global learning experiences to prepare students for professional, public service, and culturally diverse endeavors.
- Courses Offered: 22 OEL (10 unique) Courses, 34 Sections
- UIS Students Enrolled in IPL/SAP Courses: 327
- National/International Organizations Hosting Students: 182
- UIS Partnerships with OEL Staff: Leads Campus Efforts
IMPACT IN ACTION: OEL EXPANDS ENGAGED LEARNING AROUND THE WORLD
HUMAN CAPITAL IMPACT
The Office of Engaged Learning aids students and employers in identifying meaningful connections.
158 workforce partners hosted 254 students in internships and projects.
By Industry
By Sector
World Map of Internships, Projects, & Study Away Experiences
CAREER OUTCOMES
OEL students benefit from internships: relevant experience, job offers, and lifelong connections!
- 83% of students agreed that their internship provided the opportunity to practice (test/observe) theories learned in classes.
- 33% of IPL interns were offered employment or an extended internship, while others interned at their current place of employment by assuming new roles and responsibilities (note: some students continue studies as they work towards degree completion).
- 63% of IPL interns had paid internships.
Illinois Snapshot of Internship & Project Field Site Locations
IPL outreach targets regional Illinois Local Workforce Innovation Areas (LWIA) to create industry partnerships based on OEL student interests, listed below.
- Central (LWIA 19-20) - Springfield: 168
- North Central (LWIA 15) - Peoria: 14
- North East (LWIA 7) - Chicago: 14
- Other IL locations (outside the LWIA regions listed): 28
- Other U.S. locations: 27
- Abroad locations: 3
UIS Career Outcomes Report Details
At UIS, we value our student success. Success can include good grades, development of skills, and growth as a whole person. Here we report the career outcomes for the UIS baccalaureate and master's level graduates from the 2020-2021 academic year, based on 12-months post-graduation status. UIS utilizes The Outcomes Survey® to gather career outcomes data from its graduates. Those data are supplemented by data collected from LinkedIn accounts (i.e., employment) and from the National Student Clearinghouse (i.e., subsequent education).
Student Development Exemplified
A Student-Centered and Inclusive Approach
34.74% of students interned at their current place of employment. Students have the option to intern at their current place of employment by assuming new responsibilities. As a result, they learn new knowledge and skills without having to disrupt work and family obligations.
IPL Interns Impress Field Supervisors by Demonstrating Professional Growth
a majority of interns were rated as "good or excellent" by their field supervisors in the following categories:*
- Workplace skills: 91%
- Applied knowledge: 94%
- Effective relationship building skills: 96%
- Overall student performance: 97%
*Note: Percentages are taken from the Field Supervisor Evaluation questionnaire. Field supervisor response rate 76%.
“Patryk was an incredible intern. Patryk came to learn and explore policy and how to move the needle from inception of an idea through the build and to the passing of an initiative. He was able to work intimately with leaders and business owners passionate to level the playing field.” Small Business Advocacy Council
Student Highlights
Keith McKeever
- Major: Business Marketing
- Internship Site: KeithMcKeever.co
- Internship Location: Pekin, IL
“I sell residential real estate, so the content was beneficial for me as a sales agent, but also for my future side career path as an instructor. This has taught me a lot about writing courses, how to format them, how to build the handouts and more. I plan on adding two or three more courses in 2022 and this is a great foundation for me as the processes are already known and will shorten creation time in the future. This was a great experience for me as a sales agent and instructor and it helps in so many ways for each avenue of my career. The biggest change I see in myself is now knowing that I can do this.” McKeever, Business marketing
Career Readiness
OEL interns agreed that their internship experience*...
- was an important part of undergraduate studies: 79.25%
- clarified career goals: 78.30%
- improved work skills: 83.02%
- improved competency in field or industry: 85.85%
- improved ability to learn from experience: 89.63%
*Note: Information taken from a student survey on their overall experience.
“Horace Mann is a fantastic organization and I've grown as an IT professional in immeasurable ways. I've been able to honestly assess my skill set while working closely with experienced industry pros at a company with a fantastic mission. The work provided clarity for a career growth track and sharpened focus.” Vikas, Computer Science Major
Alternative to Internships
Research Project Experiences
Students partner with faculty on their research projects that are relevant to student's focus of study and aligned with careers.
Professional Project Experiences
Students with an entrepreneurial mindset focus on advancing their career development by designing a personalized work-related project, supervised by professionals with subject matter expertise.
Professional Project Experiences continue to provide students a way to build or expand their business while partnering with experts in the field.
U.S. And Beyond the Borders
Worldwide Opportunities
Though COVID-19 greatly affected OEL students' travel plans, the Study Away program has been working to maintain and increase travel opportunities for UIS students.
Study Away Opportunities available to UIS students:
- 163 National Student Exchange program members in the USA and Canada
- 133 International Student Exchange Program members around the world
- 12 University Exchange Partners
- 26 Countries visited by UIS faculty-led short-term trips
- 626 UIS students have studied away to date
How students chose to study away
“My experience of the summer study abroad program at Maynooth University in Ireland was nothing short of amazing. I am so thankful to both UIS and Maynooth University for providing this opportunity to travel and see the world.” Mauch, Computer Science Major
Visiting International Students
The Study Away Program welcomed 11 on-campus and 2 virtual international exchange students from 6 partner universities.
OEL Assists UIS Academic Departments Interested in Hosting Visiting International Faculty and Research Scholars
Study Away Program works to ensure visiting faculty members and research scholars transition to life in Springfield and the USA smoothly.
SAP spent approximately 75+ hours processing completed and initiated H1B Visas/renewals and green cards:
- 4 new H1B visas initiated (CBM, CPAA, CLAS)
- 2 green cards initiated (CPAA, CLAS)
- 0 visiting scholars
SAP Partner Highlight: Maynooth University, Ireland and the University of Hull, England
Maynooth University and the University of Hull are both exchange partners of UIS. Students from each campus are eligible to study on the other partner’s campus while paying tuition to their home campus. Typically, exchanges are for a one or two semesters.
In the summer of 2022, UIS offered a course on Immigration and Human Trafficking that included a study away option at the end of the course. Students traveled to Ireland and England the first two weeks in August. In Ireland, faculty and staff from Maynooth arranged a series of lectures and field trips that focused upon the immigration out of Ireland during the Great Famines of the 1840s. In England, Hull arranged a program that studied the abolition of slavery in the British Empire (Hull is the home of William Wilberforce, a member of parliament who was instrumental in the political maneuverings at the time), the Pilgrims who came from the area just to the south of Hull, and contemporary human trafficking. It is anticipated that the course will be offered again in the summer of 2023.
Global Brigades Partnership
The Office of Engaged Learning has partnered with Global Brigades to offer virtual and in-person study away opportunities in community development.
“Global Brigades is an international non-profit that uniquely implements a holistic model to meet a community’s health and economic goals. Our model systematically builds community ownership and collaboratively executes programs with the end goal of sustainably transitioning to a relationship of impact monitoring.” GLobal brigades website
Students participate in an ongoing program with small communities to develop sustainable solutions to health and economic disparities. The program will be offered virtually in the spring of 2023 with plans for participating in the study away opportunities when travel fully opens up.
EXPANDING OEL EXPERIENCES
Leadership Lived Experiences (LLE)
- The Office of Engaged Learning, the Career Development Center, and Student Employment collaborated this year implementing a refined model for the University.
- Moreover, LLE positions are aligned with internship-quality positions so students can easily use them as an internship opportunity should they choose to. Last year 7 students used LLE positions for their internship experience. This is more than a double increase from previous years.
- The Office of Engaged Learning is the hosting site for promoting and tracking goal-setting & leadership opportunities for LLE student workers.
- Presently, on-campus employers are submitting their proposed employment opportunities in alignment with LLE attributes.
“I think the LLE Program has become much more beneficial to students over the past two semesters.” Anonymous Supervisor
“The program seemed way more structured. As a supervisor having these goals for a student worked out well and gave me a game plan.” Anonymous Supervisor
BACK TO CONTENTS
Handshake Platform
Starting in June, in partnership with the Career Development Center, the OEL Advising Module is being converted over to Handshake, a job and internship platform.
The Employer List has been converted over the Handshake platform. To date, over 800 internship positions have been posted on this site for UIS students. This is triple the number previously posted.
OEL is now targeting student conversion into Handshake. Presently, 25% of students are taking advantage of the new means for tracking their marketing materials and internship search. Students can upload materials and access links to various employers around the world.
This Platform connects students to key funding opportunities like the ICWS grant, Leadership Lived employment and other unique experiences.
Co.Starters Program
A one-credit hour Co.Starter course has been utilized and implemented by two students during this period. This has allowed them to earn elective credit and identify the course as something unique on their transcript.
An additional 3 other students integrated Co.Starters into the Project course this year. This allowed these students to fulfill their Experiential course requirement by utilizing Co.Starters as their means of fulfilling the supervisor requirement.
Illinois Cooperative Work Study (ICWS)
The ICWS Grant for AY 21-22: 23 total placements and 12 unique partners
In the past year, the Illinois Cooperative Work Study (ICWS) grant has provided 23 unique internship experiences in the psychology, criminal justice, computer science, marketing, communication, human resources, and social services fields at an hourly wage of $14.00 (a $2.00 an hour increase from the previous year).
12 partners took advantage of the grant with the intent to continue to build their internship base through participation in the grant experience. All 12 organizations are connected with the OEL-IPL internship program on an on-going basis because of the effective relationship and funding benefits received through the ICWS internship program.
100% of Student Respondents Agreed with both of the following statements:
"Yes, I had an opportunity to enhance my career skills" and "Yes, I would recommend the program to other students"
OEL’S MEANINGFUL CURRICULUM AND DEDICATION TO COLLABORATION
OEL Annual Course Review
- 22 academic experiential courses offered (6 canceled due to low enrollment)
- 34 course sections offered (8 canceled due to low enrollment)
- 327 enrolled students
- 1,357 earned credit hours
- 59,560 contact hours (internships, projects, service)
OEL students by College
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT (CBM) = 144
COLLEGE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND ADMINISTRATION (CPAA) = 58
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES (CLAS) = 52
Listing AY 21-22 OEL Courses
Total Courses Offered: 22 (10 unique courses)
Total Sections Offered: 34 (8 sections were canceled due to low enrollment)
Fall 2021:
- IPL 202 ECCE: Service-Learning Immersion
- IPL 300 ECCE: Internship Applied Learning (5 sections)
- IPL 301 ECCE: Project Applied Learning
- IPL 305 ECCE: UG Prior Learning Portfolio Development
- IPL 501: Graduate Prior Learning Portfolio Development*
- UNI 470 ECCE: Global Experience Exchange
- UNI 480 ECCE: Global Experience Program*
Spring 2022:
- IPL 300 ECCE: Internship Applied Learning (5 sections)
- IPL 301 ECCE: Project Applied Learning
- IPL 305 ECCE: UG Prior Learning Portfolio Development
- IPL 362 ECCE: Social Change and Leadership
- IPL 499 Tutorial
- IPL 501: Graduate Prior Learning Portfolio Development*
- UNI 470 ECCE: Global Experience Exchange
- UNI 480 ECCE: Global Experience Program*
Summer 2022:
- IPL 300 ECCE: Internship Applied Learning (5 sections)
- IPL 301 ECCE: Project Applied Learning
- IPL 305 ECCE: UG Prior Learning Portfolio Development
- IPL 501: Graduate Prior Learning Portfolio Development*
- UNI 460 ECCE: Global Experience- Immigration/Human Trafficking
- UNI 470 ECCE: Global Experience Exchange
- UNI 480 ECCE: Global Experience Program*
*Canceled due to low enrollment
PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE: LEARNING THROUGH EXPERIENCE & REFLECTION
Service Learning – IPL 202 & 362
Service-Learning is an opportunity for students to provide community service to local non-profit agencies while receiving college credit. It offers an opportunity to explore the connections of academic theory and the practical needs of the community while expanding overall knowledge of community-based problems.
Students learn to enrich their real-life service experience by applying it to the learning process in ways like self-reflection, self-discovery and learning new skills and knowledge.
Service-Learning courses can fulfill one of two Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) requirements (ECCE Engagement or the ECCE Elective), which are part of the general education curriculum.
- 33 students attended Service-Learning Courses this year.
- Last Fall, 11 students completed the Service Learning Immersion course, IPL 202, achieving 450 total service hours.
- Last Spring, 22 students completed the Social Change and Leadership, IPL 362. achieving 880 service hours.
- A total of 1330 hours of service was provided to the greater community through the OEL Service Learning courses.
Prior Learning Assessment
- Experiential and Lifelong Learning: learning that occurred outside of a traditional classroom in which Students may obtain UIS college credit by demonstrating and presenting their experiential learning for assessment in a portfolio format.
- Prior Learning Assessment Course: guides undergraduate students through the development of an experiential learning portfolio, in which they create their first portfolio in IPL 305 - Prior Learning Portfolio Development.
- Prior Learning Assessment Process: IPL facilitates the assessment process of additional experiential learning portfolios in eligible majors; students may create additional portfolios.
- l portfolio for a maximum of 16 experiential learning credit hours (varies by academic program requirements).
ACHIEVING YOUR DREAMS WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Study Away Scholarships
Amounts vary, but the average is about $1000 per student.
The Global Experience fund is where general donations have been deposited over the years.
List of scholarships and number of UIS students awarded for each since 2005:
- Hahn - 5
- Burns - 1
- Humphrey - 17
- Droegkamp - 14
- Lundquist - 31
- Global Experience - 28
95 Awardees x $1000 = $95,000 in scholarships awarded over the past 16 years.
Fox Award
This award recognizes College of Business and Management students who demonstrate excellence in an unpaid internship with a nonprofit. As part of the recognition, each award recipient was presented with a monetary award. Wayne and Margie Fox began the award in 2010 because they recognize the significant time the students commit to their internships. They also value engagement opportunities for students.
Monetary Award of $1,000 for excellence at an unpaid, nonprofit internship. Two recipients will be selected from a pool of around 11 qualified CBM students who completed their internship in AY 2021-2022.
ICWS Grant
For the AY 21-22, the Illinois Cooperative Work Study (ICWS) grant provided 23 unique internship experiences at an hourly wage of $14.00.
"The Illinois Cooperative Work-Study grant program is great for students looking to make some extra cash. My internship mainly consisted of one-to-one meetings with municipal leaders, community leaders, and your average joe to find out how we became who we are today. Through these meetings we try to find out people's self-interest of what drives them to get involved or advocate for systemic change in their communities. My biggest accomplishment as an intern was putting together a town hall event promoting the Keep Illinois Home Protection Act advocating for a rent cap in Illinois. Also, I got a chance to have one-to-one meetings with Senator Doris Turner, IL NAACP President Teresa Haley, and the CEO of CEFCU Matt Mamer to name a few." Anonymous student
OEL MAKES A DIFFERENCE BY SUPPORTING STUDENTS
OEL OUTREACH HIGHLIGHTS
Making a Difference: Partner-Engage-Recruit
OEL participated in 16 campus-wide events (13 in Person; 3 virtual or hybrid) and engaged prospective students/parents, UIS students, employers and community members in the following events:
- UIS Preview Days
- First-Year/Kickstart
- Graduate/Transfer Fairs
- Involvement Expo
- Necessary Steps Programming
- Summer Bridge Program
- Co-Hosted Foot in the Door Fair
- Career Connections Expo/career- focused discussion panelist
- Leadership Lived Recognition ceremony
- Planning committee member-Good as Gold Springfield volunteer recognition community event
Student Support
- Personalized Attention-Pre-Advising: prospective OEL students are offered a customized pre-advising experience for additional assistance; interactions are tracked until the student is placed or no longer needs service. A biannual OEL advising the check-in process and survey to re-engage students was also established.
- The ICWS orientation for grant-funded interns and the SAP exchange student orientation delivered via Canvas modules, Zoom, and/or in-person were enhanced this past academic year to improve onboarding processes for students.
- Targeted Outreach-Connections: students in courses, student organizations, experience information sessions, and numerous individual correspondence activities enabled OEL staff to share details about OEL experiences/course information with prospective OEL students. This includes bi-weekly ZOOM sessions, 500 + hours of collaborative sessions. SAP was specifically highlighted in two OEL virtual advising sessions.
- IPL Email Listserv: 500+ individuals receive a bi-monthly email in addition to just-in-time special notices including information such as new/updated internship opportunities, application/registration reminders and deadlines, and upcoming events.
- The SAP website was updated to include additional information about SAP partners and things to do in the host cities.
Faculty/Staff Support
- Shared tailored OEL materials to support faculty/staff efforts concerning student advising and strategies to promote student interests in engaged learning experiences. Delivered presentation/Q&A session to Undergraduate Advising Community; ongoing participation in Advising Coordinating Committee ensuring eligible students have been identified for outreach efforts.
- Targeted 56 classes and contacted faculty to explore scheduling brief class presentations.
- Offered a faculty development workshop in the fall of 2021 on short term study away programs. Reached out to faculty in the social sciences and human services in particular about the new program with Global Brigades.
- Guided Faculty and Staff regarding LLE positions and provided details about how to propose position requests under new guidelines.
Partner Consultation and Engagement
- Efforts are ongoing to develop and secure vital internship experiences with key employers to ensure consistent, appropriate and meaningful experiences; recent new partnerships include - Horace Mann, State Farm, Levi, Ray, & Shoup (LRS), Bunn Gourmet, and State of Illinois.
- Collaborated with key employers to create a program for internship fund fulfilled through community members.
- Provided individual consultation, guidance, and resources to ensure consistent internship experience expectations to Site Supervisors. All SAP university partners were contacted regarding the continuation of our programs despite the hold on student mobility.
- A second virtual exchange program was held with Ashikaga University in anticipation of renewing our physical exchange in the summer of 2023. The summer of 2022 also saw the dedication of the Japanese Maple Tree path with a formal ceremony at the path’s entrance where a plaque is placed honoring Gale Myers’ donation of trees and granite statuary to UIS and Springfield.
OEL STRATEGIC COMPASS PROGRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Handshake
Effective July 1, OEL began using the Handshake system in collaboration with the Career Development Center and Student Employment to streamline career services for students. This change enhances communication and improves operational efficiencies and effectiveness. At this stage in the launching timeline, OEL has migrated employer/prospective student tracking, internship posting approvals, appointments, and student advising. This development has allowed OEL to move forward with some of the portal objectives.
OEL Administrative Restructure
- Created new/revised policies, procedures, and contracts to ensure consistency among OEL programs/experiences and comply with UIS policies and state/federal regulations.
- Revised OEL staff titles, roles, and responsibilities based on conducting a job analysis and meeting with staff to determine interests/experience/skills as an ongoing process of the department.
- Researched and wrote historical reports and shared with leadership outlining staffing, organizational reporting lines, and student enrollment data as compared with current structure/enrollments to reference for future decision-making.
OEL Brand
OEL continued its efforts to increase brand awareness. In the past year, OEL has increased its use of UIS approved OEL logos, graphic, and color schemes.
- Coordinated with Campus Services to order OEL giveaways to distribute to students and other stakeholders during the 2022-2023 UIS/OEL campus events.
- Enhanced social media communication efforts by developing OEL’s LinkedIn & Twitter accounts in Spring 2022 in addition to the existing developed Instagram and Facebook accounts.
Social Media views
Social Media Followers/Connections
Contact OEL
- University of Illinois Springfield
- One University Plaza, MS BRK 482
- Springfield, IL 62703
- (217) 206-6640
- oel@uis.edu