DEFINING EXPERIENCES
The Center for Engaged Learning connects Furman students with experiences that align with their interests, so that each student has had at least one engaged learning experience through an internship, study away trip or mentored research project. The center also helps to remove barriers to these purpose-defining experiences by providing fellowships for summer research and internships, and need-based scholarships for study away. All these activities prepare students for careers or graduate school, as they follow the academic, professional and personal pathway shaped by mentoring, reflection and these immersive engaged learning experiences.
The way Furman guides students to approach learning and life is intentionally integrated into The Furman Advantage framework. The transformational learning and mentoring offered to each student during their Furman career is clearly reflected in the purposeful lives they pursue after graduation.
How does a conservative’s sense of humor differ from a liberal’s comedic sensibility? What if a mental health patient’s moods could be regulated with one medication rather than many? What strengths and skills are needed to answer a crisis hotline?
These were just some of the questions that arose during the 14th annual Furman Engaged, the university’s campus wide engaged learning event. The day long celebration took attendees from the stage to the field and from the lab to the community, as 700 students presented on their engaged learning experiences and reflected on their pathways. Student presenters also helped first- and second-year students envision their own potential pathways by showing them the kinds of opportunities that are possible at Furman.
The May Experience term took students to the Naples, Florida, headquarters of medical device company Arthrex, to learn about careers in the biomedical field, from sales to bioengineering, surgery and operations.
MayX courses also covered beginner medical Spanish, campus entomology, the next generation of board games, and the university’s historical connections to slavery.
PROFESSOR AT
FURMAN WHO MADE
THEM EXCITED
ABOUT LEARNING
OR JOB THAT ALLOWED
THEM TO APPLY WHAT
THEY WERE LEARNING
IN THE CLASSROOM
ENGAGED LEARNING
EXPERIENCE AT
FURMAN etc.
“Coming to Furman, I was clueless about what my future held, unable to imagine myself in a career or even to choose a major. That was until I was introduced to sustainability science, a discipline that has allowed me to develop my passion for both people and the environment simultaneously.”
in Costa Rica.
Dallas Shuman ’25 conducts neuroscience research.
Our nationally recognized program, supported by the Office of Undergraduate Research, the Office of Integrated Research in the Sciences, and academic departments and offices throughout campus, offered students the same breadth and depth of research topics as previous years. Furman’s undergraduate research program is known for its high success rate in capturing competitive federal grants, national awards for both students and faculty and student-faculty co-authored publications in prominent, peer-reviewed journals. In Summer 2022, students and faculty mentors returned to predominantly in-person experiences after disruption by the pandemic in recent years.
The number of students and faculty who do summer research together has steadily increased since the program began in 1966. And although the numbers decreased slightly from 2021, there were 242 research fellows working with 87 faculty members in Summer 2022.
Connecting students with study away programs that suit their goals, the Rinker Center for Study Away and International Education helps students develop deep cultural insights, better intercultural communication skills, curiosity and the self-confidence to live in a global society after graduation.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, 437 students took advantage of study away opportunities. During fall and spring semesters, 173 students studied away on a semester-long program – primarily in major Western European cities that included Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, Madrid, Paris and Vienna, but also in Washington, D.C. – with a study abroad organization that met Furman’s safety and risk management standards.
Andrew Chinn ’25 participates in Beginner Medical Spanish, a May Experience class.
This past May, 251 students took part in the 16 faculty-led programs, including visits to western Europe as well as Ghana, Israel, Turkey and several locations in the United States. While participation for MayX decreased by 30%, the program continued, thanks to measures designed to minimize coronavirus risks. Thirteen students participated in the faculty-led summer internship study away program in Washington, D.C., during which students undertake a 30-hour-per-week internship along with two classes.
The Center for Engaged Learning’s Internship Office helps students secure year-round competitive opportunities designed to advance their academic and professional interests. Through a host of services, such as resume coaching and interview preparation, job shadowing and introductions to key alumni, the office instills in students the professionalism, self-direction, social responsibility and strong work ethic they will need to thrive in their internships and future careers.
This past academic year, the office held more than 760 meetings with 507 students, of which 20% were from underrepresented groups. The center staff also delivered 57 presentations to more than 1,334 students. Further helping students extend their pathways toward career prospects, the office formed new relationships with 91 employers – including Samsung, the Bipartisan Policy Center, and Michelin Business Intelligence Andrew Chinn ’25 – which contributed some of the 107 new participates in Beginner internship opportunities. Medical Spanish, a May Experience class.
The office also re-introduced the Freeman Fellowship for the first time since 2019, sending eight students to intern in Southeast Asia for the summer. The Summer Fellowship, meanwhile, supported 206 students as summer intern fellows by funding reduced-rate campus housing, and allowing their summer experience to be listed on their transcripts.
of History and director of undergraduate research
WHAT’S
POSSIBLE