Archive: Around Town

Wells College is expanding its experiential learning program in order to better bridge students’ transitions from majors to careers. To facilitate the change, Wells is transforming its office of career development services into a center for the advising of “experiential learning”—learning that takes place through educational experiences that occur outside the conventional classroom, such as internships. The restructured office will guide students through required undergraduate experiential learning, and will also provide more traditional career services.

Additionally, in a move to more greatly align students’ work study experiences with their academic pursuits, Wells has moved the supervision of work study assignments to the office of experiential learning and career services, where it will be supervised by the Director of Experiential Learning and Career Services, Mr. Eric Vaughn. Vaughn says the updated program will incorporate a more team-based approach to student work assignments. Additionally, says Vaughn, the program will offer professional development opportunities to student workers as well as staff.

Since joining the Wells community in September, Vaughn has committed to moving the resources of his office into databases and onto the Web, allowing students, alumnae/alumni, faculty, and employers to access information more quickly. He plans to hold workshops to better prepare students for graduate school and the work force, and would like to contemporize their subjects, such as the uses and pitfalls of social media.

“I’m also looking to work more closely with alums of Wells College, to get them more involved in programs and events the office will host in the future,” says Vaughn. “One of my favorite parts of the position is collaborating and working with students, faculty, alums and employers. I love seeing a student grow and learn. It also excites me to see the great opportunities that students have, and that they can put on their resumes.”

Vaughn previously held the position of Director of Career Development at Doane College in Crete, Neb. He has also held positions at Saint Leo University in Florida, St. John Fisher College in Rochester, and SUNY Oswego. Vaughn earned his B.S. in elementary education from SUNY Oswego, and a M.Ed. in College Student Affairs from the University of South Florida.

Wells’ office of experiential learning and career services is located in the Learning Commons, an academic area that also houses academic advising, learning support services, a writing center, a computer lab, and a library research desk. Future plans for the Commons include the addition of a peer tutoring center.

“By centralizing the location of services,” explains Associate Provost for Academic and Student Life Cindy Speaker, “we’re able to work together in a more holistic manner to help students meet their current academic needs, enrich their educational experiences, and be better prepared for their futures.”

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