Academic Engagement
Research shows that both undergraduate and graduate students benefit from participation in well-structured and academically rigorous community-based learning and research activities that provide students an opportunity to practice what they are learning in the classroom. Georgia College is committed to providing an environment where theory meets practice to promote greater cognitive development, expand awareness of the relevance of what is learned in the classroom, and foster the skills necessary for society’s future leaders.Georgia College’s commitment to student engagement is informed by national research and reinforced by our mission. At Georgia College, we believe that learning-centered engagement beyond the classroom develops in students the kind of real world understanding that adds value to a Georgia College degree and sets our students above the crowd.
Students may participate in a number of activities that promote connected learning beyond the classroom. Opportunities include:
Nonprofit Leadership Alliance
Nonprofit Leadership Alliance provides a certificate in nonprofit management that accompanies a 4-year bachelor's degree. This program is open to students from all disciplines. (Sara Faircloth: 478-445-3209, sara.faircloth@gcsu.edu)
Service Learning
“Service Learning is a form of experiential education in which students engage in activities that address human and community needs together with structured opportunities intentionally designed to promote student learning and development. Reflection and reciprocity are key concepts” (Jacoby and Associates, 1996). Service-learning (or what is also termed community based learning) integrates theory with practice into the curriculum. GC courses utilizing Service Learning components give students the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge from the classroom to real world settings as they provide a beneficial service to the community.(Sara Faircloth: 478-445-3209, sara.faircloth@gcsu.edu)
Georgia Education Mentorship (GEM) Program
The world is seeking more leaders and the GEM program provides qualified students an opportunity to shadow some of Georgia’s most influential and successful leaders. Georgia College students are matched with leaders in fields such as business, education, politics, healthcare, law, and industry. These executives serve as mentors for participating students, supporting their personal and professional growth by providing opportunities for them to learn about the principles and practices of effective leadership that benefit the professional world and the community. (John Bowen: 478-445-1227, john.bowen@gcsu.edu)
Student Research
The excitement of discovery is fostered by Undergraduate research at GC. Through this work, professors mentor and guide students as they explore a topic or idea of interest and communicate the results to others. Research projects typically involve inquiry, design, investigation, research, scholarship, discovery, and application of knowledge. An annual conference provides undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines the opportunity to prepare and present scholarly work to the campus community. (Renee J. Fontenot: 478-445-2593, renee.fontenot@gcsu.edu)
Global Learning (Study Abroad)
Global Learning broadens your world perspective and distinguishes you from other students. The International Center works with faculty and our partner universities to provide our students with summer, semester and academic year study abroad programs in over 20 different countries. (International Education Center: 478-445-4789, intladm@gcsu.edu)
Student Internships
Internships are work/learning experiences that may be linked to an academic department or done independently. Both alternatives provide a hands-on way for students to confirm choice of major and/or career while gaining practical work experience. (Michelle Berg: 478-445-5384, michelle.berg@gcsu.edu)
American Democracy Project
American Democracy Project (ADP) is a multi-campus initiative focused on higher education's role in preparing the next generation of informed, engaged citizens for our democracy. The goal of the American Democracy Project is to produce graduates who are committed to being active, involved citizens in their communities. (Gregg Kaufman: 478-445-1711, gregg.kaufman@gcsu.edu)
Georgia College Students track their engagement projects through an electronic Experiential Transcript The experiential transcript reflects a student's total learning experience at GC by documenting the wide range of educational opportunities outside the classroom. Through the use of the experiential transcript, students can track their engagement. (Sara Faircloth: 478-445-3209, sara.faircloth@gcsu.edu)
