Engaged Learning director invites students to week’s events

January 31, 2014

By Susan Kress

SMU Director of Engaged Learning Susan Kress speaks with a student about Engaged Learning.Photo credit: Ellen Smith

February 5 – 7, 2014: Engaged Learning Week is Back!

Engaged Learning Week includes three days of events that put student projects front and center at SMU. It begins Wednesday in the late afternoon just when you need a cup of coffee. It ends Friday with a cheat sheet on how students can make their ideas real right in time for the next Engaged Learning proposal deadline, Feb. 15.

The line-up includes:

Wednesday, Feb. 5:

The Lucky Cup, 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Café 100, Hughes-Trigg Student Center

The Lucky Cup is the kick-off event for Engaged Learning Week, a late afternoon party in Café 100. Hosted by Engaged Learning students and staff, there will be exhibits and performances by Engaged Learning seniors, celebrity baristas serving free coffee and tea, photos with Peruna, and two lucky students will win boxes from Lyfebox, the Big iDea from SMU brothers, Myles and Caleb Lee. And it is all free!

Thursday, Feb. 6:

EL Symposium, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Forum, Hughes-Trigg Student Center

The symposium will feature the 40 graduating seniors who have nearly completed their Engaged Learning projects. Each student will have five minutes to present their work with time for Q & A from the audience. A complete roster will be available on-line Jan. 21. Feel free to drop in when you can to hear some amazing stories!

And for those of you who are still wondering, “What is Engaged Learning?” Susan Kress, Engaged Learning director, will give a brief lunch time answer to that question. Come grab a sandwich!

Friday, Feb. 7:

Open House, 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Engaged Learning Office, Clements Ground Level

The Engaged Learning office is always open to the campus community, and during the Open House there will be also a free lunch and three info sessions. The Engaged Learning student panel will host a Buca di Beppo buffet (noon). The Provost’s Office will talk about Engaged Learning and how it fits at SMU (11 a.m.); Drs. Gretchen Smith (THEA) and Thomas Osang (ECON) will present the Joy of Mentoring (1 p.m.); and Susan Kress will review what makes a successful proposal (2 p.m.).

Engaged Learning Week, there is something for everybody. For more information, visit www.smu.edu/engagedlearning

Susan Kress, Director of Engaged Learning.