ExperienceNB: How Can We Make UNB a University of Impact? Students Take the Lead in Assessing Community Engagement in Experiential Learning

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Introduction

Experiential education (i.e., a direct experience with content and environment) goes beyond listening in a classroom – it allows students to actively engage and reflect on hands-on experiences, make connections to existing knowledge, and apply their learning to new opportunities. As the world modernizes, new skillsets are needed, making experiential learning one of the most important investments for a university. This is where Pathways to Professions (P2P) comes in.

 P2P is a summer experiential learning program developed by the New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data and Training (NB-IRDT) to provide post-secondary students with skills development opportunities through labour market training and hands-on research. In 2021, P2P launched ExperienceNB: a research stream focused on improving the quality of experiential learning at the University of New Brunswick (UNB). We are the 2021 ExperienceNB team, comprised of five UNB students: a project manager, three researchers, and a communications coordinator.

The ExperienceNB project, led by Dr. Sarah King, is the first of its kind in Canada to assess the impact of a university’s experiential learning opportunities on students and the community. To achieve this objective, our team developed a Community Engagement Survey, based on a modified version of the institutional self-assessment titled Towards a European Framework for Higher Education (TEFCE) Community Engagement Toolbox. We distributed the survey to UNB faculties whose courses include experiential education. We also interviewed students and employers involved in experiential education programs at UNB and used this data to write success stories, showcasing examples of how UNB engages with the community.

Our Community Engagement survey evaluated engagement based on four dimensions: Authenticity of Engagement, Social Needs, Institutional Sustainability, and Communities Engaged With. Each dimension was rated on a scale from 1-5, from low to high levels of engagement. Based on qualitative data from 234 responses, UNB ranked around level 3 for each dimension (Table A), showing moderate levels of community engagement.

Table A

Interviews revealed that students participating in experiential education high in community engagement gained valuable skills that can be transferred to their future careers. They also made tangible contributions to their communities as they gained exposure to the hands-on duties involved in addressing local issues. Interviews also showed that employers recognize the importance and value of the experiential learning opportunities they provide.

Based on our findings, we have compiled 7 actionable recommendations for UNB to consider, relating to the variety, length, and types of partnerships that should be prioritized and the role of students and partners in community-engaged opportunities. We also recommend the creation of an inventory of experiential courses and the development of educational materials on experiential learning. We are excited to see the progress UNB makes as it works toward building an engaged community and creating sustainable growth.

Authors

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Hala Nasir
Hala Nasir

Hala Nasir is a third-year University of New Brunswick student working towards her Bachelor of Science with an Honours in Biology. She moved to Fredericton in 2018 from Ottawa, Ontario and is interested in pursuing a career in the medical field to make beneficial contributions to the health care system in her community. Throughout her summer with P2P, Hala gained a thorough understanding of how to effectively undertake literature syntheses and knowledge translation. In addition to her work with her research stream, P2P also provided her with an opportunity to continue advancing her passion for film through her collaboration on the P2P promotional video. After this program, Hala is excited to continue engaging in meaningful experiential learning opportunities that have a direct impact on New Brunswick.

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Eilish Keaveney
Eilish Keaveney

Eilish Keaveney is in her final year at the University of New Brunswick, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with an Honours in Human Resources Management. Eilish has a variety of interests in the human resources field, including recruitment, training, and diversity, equity and inclusion research. Career Connect sessions and workshops within the P2P program allowed Eilish to broaden her perspective on the opportunities available to her after graduation. The skills she gained this summer have increased her confidence in entering an increasingly data-driven field where people analytics are vital. Communicating with coworkers across provinces and time zones has given Eilish a new understanding of the importance of honing digital communication skills in the modern workplace.

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Kelsey Shaw
Kelsey Shaw

Kelsey Shaw is a fourth-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership at the University of New Brunswick’s Renaissance College, with minors in Political Science and Economics. Kelsey is passionate about thinking critically to address local and global issues. In the future, she wishes to pursue a career in the public sector as a policy analyst or in the private sector working for a social enterprise or not-for-profit. Working with P2P has expanded her skills as a researcher and has ignited her passion for research-based programing to address social issues. As she moves forward with an enriched skillset, she is motivated to continue researching and collaborating to create a better world.


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Kyla Scott-MacBeth
Kyla Scott-MacBeth

Kyla Scott-MacBeth graduated from the University of New Brunswick, Saint John in May 2021, obtaining a Bachelor of Science with an Honours in Psychology. Kyla is passionate about working in the social services sector and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations through research and community development. Working with P2P has provided Kyla the opportunity to work with both quantitative and qualitative data, enhancing her data literacy and research skillsets. The knowledge, skills, and connections she has gained throughout the summer will be valuable as she transitions into her master’s degree and continues her journey in research.

Featured Researcher

Featured
Emma Giberson
Emma Giberson

Hi! My name is Emma Giberson, and I am entering my Masters of Applied Psychology, Research, and Evaluation (MAPRE) at UNB – Saint John. My Masters is the first step toward getting my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

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