Experiential Learning Requirement

The Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR) is a graduation requirement that was initiated in the General Studies Program and became effective in the fall semester of 1994. The ELR expands upon the Elon Experiences by providing a structure to facilitate and encourage students to practice close observation of the world around them and reflect insightfully about those observations. Exposure to diversity helps students see the interrelationships between academic studies and other experiences.

Click here to learn more about the Experiential Learning Requirement.

Leadership Development and the ELR
Students who fulfill the Experiential Learning Requirement through leadership development practice leadership with heightened awareness and intentionality. They may complete the ELR requirement through completion of the Isabella Cannon Leadership Program or through completion of a leadership development workbook in conjunction with a specifically identified leadership experience. Students who wish to fulfill the ELR via the workbook must contact the Center for Leadership the semester prior to the beginning of the leadership role.

ELR Process
Steps for completing the Leadership Development ELR are as follows:

1. Meet with the Director of Leadership to review requirements for completion, obtain a leadership development workbook and gain approval of your leadership role prior to assuming your leadership position.

2. Meet with your advisor, supervisor or mentor to discuss their role in the experience.

3. Return the cover page, job description and learning objectives to the Director of Leadership prior to assuming your leadership position.

4. Begin leading!

5. Complete your mid-experience evaluation and contextual paper.

6. Continue leading!

7. Complete your final-experience evaluation and reflective analysis. Submit these, along with your time sheet, to the Center for Leadership.

8. Complete your exit interview.

9. You have fulfilled the ELR through Leadership Development!

Click here to print additional information about the ELR process.

Eligibility
All students are eligible to complete this requirement via the leadership development workbook. However, students must begin the process below prior to beginning the leadership role.

In order for an experience to qualify, the leader:

• Must direct the efforts of a group of people toward a common goal
• Must be responsible for group outcomes
• Must be engaged in relationships with group members such that influence is multi-directional
• Must promote civic engagement or service to the common good
• Must spend a minimum of 40 hours or more dedicated to the leadership role
• Must be supported by an advisor, coach or supervisor who can provide the leader with ongoing feedback and mentoring.

Examples/Outcomes
Things that qualify as a leadership experience include:
• Positional leadership roles, such as an elected officer of an organization
• Employment experiences that require leading others (ex: senior residence advisor)
• Athletic team captains