| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.54 |
| Liaison | C Jane Hagen |
| Submission Date | Sept. 3, 2024 |
Virginia Commonwealth University
AC-5: Immersive Experience
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
C Jane
Hagen Sustainability Data Analyst Sustainability |
Does the institution offer at least one immersive, sustainability-focused educational study program that is one week or more in length?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused immersive program(s) offered by the institution:
Mangrove Avian Field Ecology
Two weeks abroad in Panama (or other tropical location with mangrove forests). An immersive study of tropical ecology with a focus on bird ecology and conservation of mangrove ecosystems through a unique blend of rigorous science and community engagement. Two weeks of study abroad, including engagement with local conservation organizations and participation in education outreach with local schools, followed by discussion, data analysis and presentation of progress and research in a public symposium on campus.
Student Outdoor Leadership Experience
The Outdoor Adventure Program (OAP) at VCU offers Student Outdoor Leadership Experiences (SOLE). This intensive training is the foundation of the OAP trips program and is designed to provide opportunities for skill development, personal growth, and leadership experience for potential OAP student leaders. Using the outdoors as our classroom, participants will also gain a connection to the natural world. Those who take part in this course can expect professional training in group dynamics, teaching techniques, decision making, risk management, backcountry travel, technical outdoor skills, and leave no trace principles. The training takes place over five weekends.
Footprints on the James
The experiential Footprint on the James Program takes place over five weeks during the summer. During Footprints on the James, students learn about and gain an appreciation for the James river’s natural history and biodiversity, its role in Virginia’s development and how its historic and modern-day use impacts its quality, flora and fauna. First launched in 2014, Footprints on the James is a collaboration of the VCU Center for Environmental Studies, the Department of Biology in the College of Humanities and Sciences, the Rice Rivers Center and the VCU Outdoor Adventure Program.
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://bulletin.vcu.edu/azcourses/biol/
https://recwell.vcu.edu/lead/leadership-programs/student-outdoor-leadership-experience/
https://vcu.exposure.co/scenes-from-footprints-on-the-james
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