Initiatives
Experiential Learning
Administrative Operations is developing an intentional approach to experiential learning, creating opportunities for students to connect on-campus employment with their academic and career goals. By aligning student work experiences with learning outcomes, the initiative will create meaningful opportunities to build skills, gain experience, and prepare for future careers. Ultimately, this effort aims to position Administrative Operations as a top 10 employer of choice for USF students while advancing key institutional priorities.
Why This Initiative Matters
Currently, student employment across the university operates in silos, leaving a major opportunity on the table. Without a standardized framework, student job experiences vary wildly across units, and there is no consistent mechanism to award academic credit or track career outcomes. Elevating student employment into a coordinated experiential learning model bridges the gap between academics and workforce preparation, driving student retention, engagement, and post-graduation success.
Scope
This initiative focuses on creating the strategy, infrastructure, and governance needed to expand meaningful student employment opportunities within Administrative Operations and strengthen their connection to academic and career development. The effort will establish a structured approach for identifying and developing high-impact student roles, supporting consistent learning experiences, and measuring outcomes.
What is Included
- Development of a structured experiential learning framework for student employment opportunities within Administrative Operations.
- Identification and expansion of meaningful student roles that provide hands-on experience and support career development.
- Development of potential pathways for eligible work experiences to connect to academic credit, in partnership with participating colleges.
- Establishment of methods to track student participation, learning outcomes, and career impact.
- Alignment of student employment opportunities with operational needs, academic expectations,
and broader institutional priorities.
Project
Timeline
- Phase 1: Evaluate current state of program
- Phase 2: Refine programs accordingly in partnership with stakeholders
- Phase 3: Train and exercise. Continually evaluate and improve
Governance
The initiative will be led by Administrative Operations, with collaboration with college partners as academic-credit pathways are developed. This partnership will help ensure that student work experiences are meaningful, academically appropriate, and aligned with established requirements. Input from operational units, academic partners, and other stakeholders will help shape the framework, identify opportunities, and guide implementation.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Over the coming months, you may notice new communications, surveys, or requests for input as the framework, role definitions, and tracking methods are developed in partnership with college stakeholders. Some units may be asked to help pilot new role structures or provide feedback on proposed learning outcomes.
FAQ
What is experiential learning?
Experiential learning is learning through experience, supported by intentional reflection, feedback, and opportunities to apply and develop skills. It can take many forms, including internships, research, service-learning, study abroad, and student employment. This initiative focuses specifically on applying experiential learning principles to student employment within Administrative Operations, creating opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience while building skills that support their academic and career goals.
Will this replace existing student hiring processes in individual units?
No. Existing student hiring processes will remain in place. This initiative adds a framework to help Administrative Operations units create more meaningful student employment experiences through elements such as clear learning objectives, structured onboarding, supervisor feedback, reflection, and opportunities to build and demonstrate career-ready skills.
For questions about the Experiential Learning initiative, please contact Denise Haunstetter.