Experiential Learning Soars at Smith

Students at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business now have more opportunities than ever before to learn from and work with industry professionals. Those diverse, hands-on experiences are highlighted in the recently released Office of Experiential Learning (OEL) 2023-2024 annual report.

“We are dedicated to cultivating an environment that fosters intellectual resilience, supporting students' ability to lead organizations in the future,” said Dean Prabhudev Konana in the report. He initiated the launch of the office in 2022. “The Office of Experiential Learning acts as our catalyst for a vibrant exchange between academia and industry.”

For students, it’s all about real-world experiences, says Nicole Coomber, assistant dean of experiential learning who heads up OEL. Those experiences include industry professionals – often alumni – coming into classrooms to share their experiences with students. In other cases, students work on semester-long projects with industry mentors, or develop strategic business recommendations for live cases, using data sets or prompts, over a few class periods. OEL also runs the newly launched Smith Business Consulting initiative, where students work in teams to provide pro-bono consulting services to real clients.

“Our mission has always been to enhance student experiences, strengthen industry connections, and support the university's broader goals,” Coomber said in the report. “This year, we’ve seen our students push the boundaries of their learning, tackle real-world challenges, forge meaningful connections, and grow into leaders ready to make their mark on various industries. Our corporate partners have been invaluable in this process, providing the support and opportunities that define our office’s transformative experiences.”

OEL’s 2023-24 experiential learning highlights from the report:

• 271 classrooms incorporated experiential learning
• 26.75% of classes had an experiential learning component (out of 864 undergraduate and graduate courses), double the percentage since OEL’s inception
• 231 faculty engagements with corporate or alumni partners
• 355 unique companies engaged in experiential learning
• 143 alumni engaged in experiential learning
• Over 10,000 student touchpoints

OEL also oversees the Smith School’s academic Advisory Councils. Professionals and industry leaders – again, often alumni – sit on Smith’s 10 academic program councils to help shape the educational experience for students. They provide a link to the business community and often network with students, participate in experiential learning, and offer internship and job opportunities.

OEL’s 2023-24 Advisory Council highlights:

• 381 Advisory Council members
• 157 companies represented
• 577 volunteers involved

Read more about the work of the Office of Experiential Learning in the 2023-2024 annual report.