Regents Experiential Learning Initiative

Examples of qualifying activities may include, but are not limited to: programmatic initiatives that support students’ career and professional development competencies (e.g., problem solving, critical thinking, entrepreneurial, or interpersonal communication skills) and prepare them to be leaders in the workforce; stipends to support students in unpaid or underpaid internships or research opportunities (to help cover costs such as transportation, interview attire, and other living expenses); scholarships to help cover the tuition of for-credit summer internship and practicum courses; and scholarships to attend professional student conferences.

1. Career Center Industry Immersions

The Career Center will host an Industry Immersion in the Bay Area focused around AI. Students will immerse themselves through experiences like company visits, executive talks, behind-the-scenes tours, and student-alumni networking. To obtain a complete picture of the industry, students will also visit and volunteer with nonprofits, community-based organizations, and activist organizations that operate within or adjacent to these industries, and complete nightly reflections.

2. Grand Challenges Scholars Program

The Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP) is a nationally recognized program by the National Academy of Engineering that calls for engineers to serve people and society by working towards the “continuation of life on the planet, making our world more sustainable, secure, healthy, and joyful." Scholars do this by completing work in 5 competency areas - Talent/Research, Multidisciplinary, Business/Entrepreneurship, Multicultural, and Social Consciousness. The Board of Regent’s grant will help: (1) build an interdisciplinary GCSP network at SCU; (2) support 5 of these scholars travel to the Annual GCSP Conference and present their work; (3) support an EFolio event on campus for all GCSP participants; and (4) provide books for a few students with the highest need.

3. Silicon Valley Executive Presence

This new program will facilitate executive lunch career conversations for 45 undergraduates per quarter and include a workshop to prepare students for success in these types of settings. The goal is to build confidence in students as they participate in more professional networking settings like a business lunch or dinner, and expand internship preparation, skill development, and career exploration.

4. Styling Success

This new program will support: (1) A campus-wide presentation on appropriate and affordable workplace wardrobes; (2) a career wardrobe shopping trip prioritizing limited-income and first-generation college students; and (3) the expansion of the Center for Sustainability’s Swap for Good thrift pop-up to a permanent thrift store.

5. AWE USA XR Industry Conference

Extended reality (XR; augmented and virtual reality), is offering a growing number of career opportunities in Silicon Valley and beyond. Faculty from numerous departments engage students in cutting-edge XR education and research, including Panich (Anthropology), Lueck (English), Heitmuller (Art), Ramirez (Philosophy), Scott (Bioengineering), Jeong (Communications), and Lukoff (Computer Science & Eng). This proposal will support student career exploration at AWE USA, the leading conference in the XR industry with about 6000 attendees. At the 3-day conference in Long Beach, students can attend recruiting events, meet with industry leaders, test out the latest experiences on the expo floor, and, if selected by the conference organizers, give a talk about their own work.

Proposals must meet the following qualifications to be considered for a potential grant:

• Grant funds must be used to support undergraduate educational or experiential activities that substantively advance students’ career exploration. Students participating in these activities must be in good academic standing.
• Grant funds may be used to support group programs or individual student stipends, and must be sponsored and administered by a university department, program, center, or C.S.O./R.S.O. through a faculty or staff advisor.
• Grants for individual student stipends may be prioritized based on demonstrated financial need.
• Grant requests must include a budget spreadsheet with itemized expenses, and may support multi-year funding, up to 3 years.
• Grant recipients will be required to submit student thank you letters and/or a brief impact report reflecting the use of the grant annually to the Board of Regents. Opportunities and programs that engage with the Board of Regents are encouraged.