Get funding and resource support for EXCEL projects

Experiential & Community-Engaged Learning, or EXCEL, promotes reciprocity and inspires reflection, leading to more sustainable, applied ways of understanding. The EXCEL Center was created to support faculty with funding and resources for experiential learning course projects.

How students learn with EXCEL projects

Learning can become deeply meaningful when “learning by doing” is expanded to include interacting, including, valuing, and reflecting. Your students will:

  • Work on relevant challenges facing our communities.
  • Build knowledge and skills while contributing to society.
  • Integrate academics with hands-on practice.
  • Put theories and new ideas into action.
     

FLC unique aspects of EXCEL:

Relevance
  • to student lives
  • to course themes
  • to pressing social and ecological issues of our time
Reciprocity
  • where community partners are valued and included in project design
  • where projects have mutually beneficial outcomes for student and social/ecological systems
  • where lands and waters are respected as Indigenous places, from original inhabitance to ongoing stewardship.
Reflection
  • as the integral component of experiential and community-engaged learning
  • as requiring deliberate and intentional facilitation by faculty for transformative student experience
  • as an opening to explore personal reflexivity, understanding how positionality shapes our perceptions of experiences

EXCEL Center resources

Tools for designing EXCEL projects
Examples of EXCEL projects

ART 112: 2D Design

Dr. Chad Colby

Field trip to Meow Wolf art exhibit in Denver to explore color theory/design and network with FLC alums.

ED 222: Global Perspectives in Education

Dr. Liz Cartwright

Collaborative class project partnering with local 9-R educators to explore teacher persistence and overall resiliency in the profession.

HIST 329: Alcohol in the Early Modern World

Dr. Colin Rydell

Field trip to Fenceline Cider in Mancos to explore the history of cidermaking and orcharding in Southwest Colorado.

SOBA Marketing Strategy

Dr. Ishani Banjeri

Class project working with Pet Haus to develop a marketing strategy for a local business.

SOBA Marketing

Dr. Tom Miaskiewicz

Collaborative class project designing ski safety marketing materials for regional ski resorts.

Teacher ED, Global Perspectives in Education

Mike Wagner

Collaborative class project to help build/design SOIL Learning Lab at Riverview Elementary School.

SOC, Immigration and Advocacy

Dr. Ben Waddell

Partnering with 6 immigrant members of our community to lead class presentations/discussions with students about the immigrant life experience

How to use EXCEL funds
  • Use your FLC Procurement Card, or P Card for expenses.
  • Remember to save receipts for gas and food—no alcohol can be purchased.
  • Your department administrative assistant will help fill out the spending authorization form in Workday and reconciliation with receipts.
  • If your students plan work with minors, background checks may be required. Talk with your community partner. Your administrative assistant can help process a background check if needed. 
Travel logistics

Waivers

Student Activity Waivers are required for off campus travel with students.

It is the student’s responsibility to get waivers to the faculty and the faculty’s responsibility to ensure all waivers are collected before going to the field. The student immediately receives a copy of the completed waiver. The Dean and Provost’s office only has copies if something happens to the faculty member in the field.

Learn about the Risk Management Policy for Academic Programs Held Off Campus.

Transportation

To reduce travel expenses, a faculty member can complete an online training to drive a FLC van ($65/day plus gas) for 12 people (including driver).

To become an authorized van driver, contact:
Bill Donelan
Phone: 970-382-6926
Email: wjdonelan@fortlewis.edu.

Learn about van rentals and procedures.

Contact us

Becky Clausen

EXCEL Center Co-coordinator
Academic Hub

Phone: 970-247-7237
Email: clausen_r@fortlewis.edu

Deb Powers

EXCEL Center Co-coordinator
Academic Hub

Phone: 970-247-6295
Email: dlpowers@fortlewis.edu