Rubenstein School Office of Experiential Learning
About Us
The Office of Experiential Learning helps Rubenstein School (RSENR) students build skills and experience by providing a diversity of learning opportunities. Our goal is to integrate reflective career development, courses, and co-curricular activities to foster competencies that will make RSENR graduates highly competitive professionals and engaged, effective citizens.
Our office takes a holistic approach to career preparation by supporting participation in community-based projects, internships, applied research, and career counseling. We facilitate course-based student development through support of faculty and community partners as they create and implement community-based courses and research projects. We work closely with students and employers to build a strong, committed workforce. We team with and address the needs of community partners. At the heart of our work is a demonstrated commitment to student and faculty development and collaborative problem-solving among the School, the University, and the local, national, and international community.
The Office of Experiential Learning is directly linked to Student Services in the Rubenstein School. Our office also works with the Office of Community-University Partnerships and Service-Learning and the UVM Career Services Office.
Anna
Smiles-Becker
Career Services Coordinator
Anna joined the Office of Experiential Learning as the Career Services Coordinator in November 2010. From 2005-2010, Anna worked as a career counselor with UVM Career Services. Anna greatly enjoys talking with students and alumni about their skills, interests and passions. She earned her Master's Degree in Higher Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and prior to that lived and worked in Washington, DC where she worked for two different non-profit organizations. Anna attended UVM as an undergraduate student and studied Anthropology. Her professional interests include, but are not limited to, experiential learning, career development, social justice, and service-learning. Some of Anna's outside-of-work passions include outdoor activities, social justice, local community involvement, jewelry and card making, reading, and staying connected with friends and family. When not in Aiken, Anna can be found going on adventures with her husband Jarrod, daughter Zoe and dog Oscar, walking the backroads of Vermont, learning how to be a better gardener or trying to read a good book when she can!
Elise
Schadler
Coordinator of Community-based Learning
Elise joined the Office of Experiential Learning in August of 2011. She completed her Master's of Science in Natural Resources in the spring of 2012, focusing on the role of community-based urban forestry efforts in voluntary carbon markets in the U.S. Elise spends half of her time supporting service-learning efforts in the Rubenstein School and the other half supporting community involvement and general programming with the Vermont Urban & Community Forestry program, under the state's Department of Forests, Parks, & Recreation. Elise was raised in the midwest but is now thrilled to call Vermont her home. Her experience as an Americorps National Civilian Community Corps member and her three years as the director of a community-based tree planting program in Camden, NJ have allowed her to work with people and organizations dedicated to addressing diverse environmental, social, and economic issues. She strongly believes in the value and power of community and is excited by the meaningful partnerships and service-learning projects that students are able to experience in the Rubenstein School. When not on campus Elise can be found running with her dog Luna on the bike path, swimming laps at the Y, dancing at the Flynn Center, pulling veggies or picking raspberries from her back yard, practicing her urban tree ID, or romping around Vermont with her partner Sam.
Last modified January 07 2013 10:23 AM