Experiential learning is a key component of the St. Edward's University undergraduate education. This type of learning engages students outside of the classroom to broaden and deepen their awareness of societal problems and participate in community-based activities that address these issues. There are two types of experiential learning: Introductory Experiential Learning, which exposes students to foundational experiential learning opportunities beyond the classroom and Advanced Experiential Learning (AEL) which provides more robust and meaningful experiential learning opportunities with additional engagement required of the student in both time and effort.

As articulated in Strategic Plan 2027, 100% of undergraduate students will complete at least one AEL opportunity before graduation. To support this goal over five years, constructing definitions of experiential learning areas and establishing clear criteria for advanced experiential learning across the university is key to overall success. As a result, St. Edward's has developed five definitions for AEL: Internships and Field Experience, Research and Creative Works with Faculty, Immersive Domestic and International Travel Experiences, Service-Learning, Volunteering, and Student Employment/Leadership on and off campus.

To achieve rigor through time and effort, an AEL opportunity must meet all of the following criteria, 1) Quantitative - 60 clock hours within a semester 2) Intentional - The experience should be purposeful, planned in advance with explicit goals and intended outcomes, 3) Beneficial - Support students' interests, career readiness, and aspirations, and 4) Supervised - The experience should be supervised, including ongoing faculty, staff, supervisor and/or community involvement in all phases.

The Blue & Gold Scholar program recognizes St. Edward's University undergraduate student participation in advanced experiential learning opportunities. There are three types of scholars, 1) Blue Scholars complete one AEL opportunity, 2) Gold Scholars complete two advanced experiential learning opportunities, and 3) Blue and Gold Scholars complete 3 or more AEL opportunities.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Student Success Center

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Nicole Trevino at nicoleg@stedwards.edu or 512-428-1037

For first-generation college students, adjusting to college can be difficult and may lead to lower graduation rates. Despite the availability of resources on-campus at St. Edward's University, there were obstacles that often prevented its first-generation college students from making the best use of resources. In response to this, in 2020, St. Edward's University implemented programming to remove barriers to success for students who are first in the family to go to college. Recognizing that there is financial need, little family background in higher education, and social and academic stress, First to GOat provides holistic programming that emphasizes mentoring, building community and belonging, leadership and character development, academic and career readiness, financial assistance and literacy, and personal health and wellness. First to GOat develops
and provides a supportive, inclusive community that values and celebrates their identity.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

PROGRAM OUTCOMES: The average one-year retention rate for first-generation students at St. Edward's University is 77.5% for 2020-2022, exceeding national and state averages. In addition, the average fall-to-spring first-generation college students persistence is 92.5% for 2020-2023.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Student Success Center

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Sonia Briseno at sbriseno@stedwards.edu or 512-448-8625

Increasingly, students name food insecurity as a barrier to their success. St. Edward's University is committed to eliminating on-campus food insecurity. Through grant funding and donations from faculty, staff and alumni, we support peer-to-peer outreach about on-campus and community-based food resources, transporting students to nearby food resources, stocking the St. Edward's Monarchs Food Pantry, fulfilling weekly grocery requests, reducing food waste and providing emergency aid funds through HOOF (Hilltoppers Overcoming Obstacles Fund).

During the 2021-22 academic year, 750 St. Edward's students applied for emergency aid through the Hilltoppers Overcoming Obstacles Fund (HOOF); 95% of applicants cited food insecurity as the reason for their request. Additionally, the free, on-campus Monarchs Food Pantry is open every weekday afternoon. While open to the university community only, we anecdotally know that many of the students who access these resources do so to feed their families. Started by students for students, the Monarchs Food Pantry is maintained through Campus Ministry and supported through privately raised dollars and food donations. It is currently student volunteer-run with a paid student Food Pantry Operations Intern supervising. Additionally, St. Edward's has formal partnerships with two South Austin food pantries: St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church and Foundation Communities.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format or has both online and in-person components.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Dean of Students Office and Campus Ministry

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Connie Rey Rodriguez at connierr@stedwards.edu or 512-448-8408

The Supplemental Instruction (SI) program seeks to promote collaborative learning and critical thinking amongst students through group discussion and evaluation of higher-level ideas and concepts. The emphasis of SI is to facilitate students' understanding of the course's most difficult content. In addition to SI's short-term goal of helping students succeed in any one course, the program's long-term goals are: (1) to model effective study skills to students, and (2) to empower them with the independent learning skills needed to break the cycle of learning dependency. SI aims to challenge students to become active “rather than passive“ learners, and by empowering them with the skills and confidence to develop independent learning techniques. The role of the SI Leader is not to teach or re-lecture to the students from a position of authority, but rather to facilitate peer-to-peer interaction amongst students during study group sessions. St. Edward's provides free in person & virtual SI sessions for some of the most challenging courses in the Munday School of Business, the School of Natural Sciences, and the School of Behavioral & Social Sciences. SI sessions are led by student leaders who did well in the course and are recommended by faculty. Student leaders earn invaluable advanced experiential learning opportunities, as they collaborate closely with faculty, design lesson plans for session, receive structured training, and engage students through a collaborative learning process. Additionally, here at St. Edward's University, data shows that students who regularly participate in SI earn higher grades than students who do not participate.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format or has both online and in-person components.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

PROGRAM OUTCOMES: SI is know as a best practice to support students in courses with high DFW rates.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Academic Support Program

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Kendall Swanson at kendalls@stedwards.edu or 512-233-1659