When: Wednesday, November 12, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Where: Freeman Auditorium,  HUB-Robeson Center

Register

Join us for the inaugural Experiential Learning Symposium. It’s your chance to meet and network with fellow students, faculty, and staff who are transforming education through hands-on, real-world learning and are ready to help you discover impactful experiential learning opportunities.

Be Inspired

Hear keynote speaker Dr. Fotis Sotiropoulos, Penn State executive vice president and provost, discuss the future of experiential learning and how it intersects with Penn State’s land-grant mission.

Explore Opportunities with Outreach

Discover how Outreach can connect you to meaningful, real-world learning experiences that expand your professional pathways and strengthen communities. We’re here to support you through community partnerships, immersive learning, and experiences that prepare you for a successful future.

Discover Experiential Learning

Whether it’s through research, internships, service, global learning, or creative projects, experiential learning helps you strengthen and apply your classroom learning in a real-world setting. Build the leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills that employers look for—all while exploring what motivates and inspires you.

Agenda

Time Activity
5:30–7:00 p.m. Poster Presentations
Posters will be presented in the Freeman Lounge, Gingher Lounge, and Engagement Space outside Freeman Auditorium.
7:00–7:05 p.m.  Opening Remarks
Mike Zeman, Director of Experiential Learning, Penn State Outreach 
Dr. Larry D. Terry II, Vice President for Outreach, Penn State
7:05–7:20 p.m. Keynote Address
Dr. Fotis Sotiropoulos, Executive Vice President and Provost, Penn State

7:10–8:25 p.m.

Student Lightning Talk Presentations

Creating Multi-Dimensional Learning Experiences to Foster Empathy and Interconnection
Autumn Graham, College of Agricultural Sciences, Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center

Philipsburg, PA, as a Keystone Community
Rachel Layvey, College of Agricultural Sciences, Keystone Community Partnerships

Addressing Homelessness Through Action and Awareness
Isley Wilson, College of Health and Human Development, KINES 414: Interdisciplinary Study of Street Medicine

Hands-On with Hawks and Outreach: Experiential Learning at Shaver’s Creek
Justin Nichol, College of Agricultural Sciences, Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center

Learning Beyond the Classroom at the Franco Harris High-Performance Building Program
Suhani Srivastava, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State

Care Before Cure: The Heart of Street Medicine
Allyson Eicher, College of Health and Human Development, KINES 414: Interdisciplinary Study of Street Medicine

My Experience as a Keystone Scholar
Emma Steely, College of Agricultural Sciences, Keystone Community Partnerships
8:25–8:30 p.m. Keystone Community Scholars: Inaugural Cohort Honors
Jamison J. Malcolm, Ph.D, Director of Keystone Community Partnerships, Penn State Outreach

Registration

Pre-event registration is closed. In-person registration will be available at Freeman Auditorium on the day of the symposium.