"active learning. active life." Experience at Utah Tech University

Service & Volunteerism

Leadership Undergraduate Research

Career & Professional Development

Campus Involvement

Study Away

Health Promotion, Activity, & Wellness

Community Engaged Learning

WHAT IS THE

“active learning. active life. experience” AT UTAH TECH?

The “active learning. active life. experience” is the perfect complement to Utah Tech’s polytechnic approach to education. In the same way that a UT education ensures students participate in hands-on learning experiences and graduate career ready, the “active learning. active life. experience” allows UT students to customize their collegiate journey and take advantage of holistic learning and growing opportunities within eight areas of impact.

The program helps students get the most out of college and serves as a catalyst to transformative experiences that prepare them for academic, career, and personal growth.

Whether students are drawn to research, internships, community engagement, service, or social events, the “active learning. active life. experience” offers avenues for personalized growth and connection. By embracing diverse interests and fostering a supportive environment, the program enriches the educational journey and prepares students to thrive in an ever-changing world.

what are the impact areas?

The program includes four impact areas within the “active learning” theme and four impact areas within the “active life” theme.

active learning.

active life.

Community Engaged Learning

Campus Involvement

Study Away

Service & Volunteerism

Career & Professional Development

Health Promotion, Activity, & Wellness

Undergraduate Research

Leadership

What do I receive from participating in the program?

The “active learning. active life. experience” easily tracks and verifies all engagement and grants students a university-validated record of their skills, background, and experience in addition to their academic diploma. In essence, the “active learning. active life. experience” not only fosters skills needed for a successful career and enriched life but also provides proof of those skills. Involvement in the eight impact areas will be tracked using Suitable, a student engagement software that can be downloaded from the App Store.

Additionally, a variety of incentives are offered along the way. During each spring semester, students who have earned a program award will be invited to a celebration event to be recognized and awarded their “active learning. active life. experience” medallion. Platinum awardees will also be recognized at Utah Tech University’s Commencement Ceremony and will receive a special “active learning. active life. experience” token of achievement.

Award levels include: COMPLETING 2 IMPACT AREAS

COMPLETING 4 IMPACT AREAS 2 IN ADDITION TO THOSE EARNED FOR BRONZE

COMPLETING 5 IMPACT AREAS 1 IN ADDITION TO THOSE EARNED FOR SILVER

COMPLETING 6 IMPACT AREAS 1 IN ADDITION TO THOSE EARNED FOR GOLD

active learning

“active learning” The four impact areas within the “active learning” theme are detailed below but will vary each semester as the frequency and availability of engagement events fluctuate from year to year. Students are offered flexibility to choose the one activity that most resonates with them in order to successfully complete that impact area.

1. Community Engaged Learning ● Completing a designated Community Engaged Learning course ● Completing a minimum of 25 approved servicelearning hours ● Completing an approved community-engaged capstone or senior thesis project ● Completing an academic year in ROTC or the Honors Program ● Completing at least one academic course with a community-focused curriculum

(i.e. special and adaptive needs, geriatric, sustainability, etc.)

UT offers a wide range of courses with the Community Engaged Learning designation. These courses are marked CEL on the course schedule and will appear on students’ transcripts.

2. Study Away ● Completing a designated 3+ credit Study Abroad/ Study USA experience or exchange program ● Completing a Trailblazer Child and Youth Program ● Completing a pre-approved Alternative Break trip A vast array of Study Abroad/Study USA experiences are available to program participants through the UT Study Abroad center.

3. Career & Professional Development ● Completing an internship or cooperative education experience ● Completing a clinical, student teaching, or practicum of 3+ credits ● Completing a 25-hour job shadow tied to a class or major assignment ● Completing a Career Student Service Course Acceptable clinical, student teaching, and practicum settings will be determined by the academic department and verified in collaboration with UT Career Services.

Internships and cooperative education experiences will be verified by UT Career Services. One hour of credit requires a minimum of 40 hours of work at the internship, cooperative education, clinical, student teaching, or practicum.

4. Undergraduate Research ● Completing a research course or summer research experience ● Presenting research at a regional or national conference or the Trailblazer Symposium for Research, Innovation & Creativity ● Being published in a peer-reviewed journal One hour of undergraduate research credit will require a minimum of 25 hours of work over several days, as is appropriate to the specific research setting as determined by the faculty mentor. Summer programs are 8 weeks in length.

“active life” The four impact areas within the “active life” theme are detailed below but will vary each semester as the frequency and availability of engagement events fluctuate from year to year. Students are offered flexibility to choose the one activity that most resonates with them in order to successfully complete that impact area.

active life

1. Campus Involvement ● Attending a minimum of 25 approved events in one academic year, including activities associated with UT Athletics, student life, Homecoming, clubs, housing, intramurals, recreation, dances, carnivals, BBQs, or similar social events. Approved music, dance, theater, lecture, or speaker series events also satisfy this impact area requirement Acceptable activities will be identified, listed, and regularly updated on the “active learning. active life. experience” website/app each semester.

2. Service & Volunteerism ● Volunteering a minimum of 25 hours of approved non-credit service over the span of one academic year, including major community events (St. George Marathon, Ironman, etc.); club, campus, or UTSA service events; or partner programs (Big Brothers Big Sisters, Washington County School District, Read with a Child, etc.). Service must be tracked and verified by Suitable or other similar software ● Completing an approved service-focused alternative break Acceptable service and volunteer activities will be identified, listed, and regularly updated on the “active learning. active life. experience” website/app each semester.

3. Health Promotion, Activity, & Wellness ● Earning a minimum of 3 credits in an approved health-related course outside their major ● Successful participation in pre-approved wellness workshops, groups, retreats, excursions, coalitions, or trainings totaling a minimum of 20 hours ● Completing a full club sport season or 25 hours of sponsored group fitness classes ● Completing a minimum of 3 intramural seasons/ tournaments ● Completing a full season on a UT Athletics team

4. Leadership ● Accepting and completing any titled student leadership position as part of an official campus association or organization (UTSA, Senators, Student Alumni Ambassadors, Ambassadors, Resident Assistants, Inter Club Council, selected club presidents, etc.) ● Completing a minimum of 25 hours of extended leadership trainings, workshops, retreats, conferences, or other events specifically related to leadership development or participation on a structured leadership team/task force

HOW WILL I BEGIN THE

“active learning. active life. experience” AT UTAH TECH?

Students start by downloading the Suitable app from the App Store and signing up for the Utah Tech University version. Use the app and this book to design your own journey and start working toward your goals today.

Students who graduate from Utah Tech and are platinum members of the “active learning. active life. experience” will have taken full advantage of their time at Utah Tech and will be ready to lead in their chosen area of expertise.

Don’t wait — start to discover your passions, learn new skills, make new friends, network with others, and become your best self through the “active learning. active life. experience”.

SC A N TO LEA R N M O R E A B O U T THE