Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is launching a new institute devoted to experiential learning and community engagement.

The Experiential Learning Institute is the "next step in more formal college efforts to expand experiential learning college-wide, which began in 2016," according to a college release. Experential learning aims to actively engage learners through relevant and ongoing experience, critical problem-solving, and reflective practices. "Learners who engage in experiential learning are more likely to persist through their college experience, graduate, and become lifelong, self-directed learners," according to NMC.

The Experiential Learning Institute will collaborate with both on-campus and community stakeholders to engage students and the community, locally, nationally, and globally. The Institute will connect the community and NMC by seeking creative partnerships, serving ongoing community needs, and preparing learners for future employment. 

Director Kristy McDonald and several other NMC faculty and staff have earned certification from the Experiential Education Academy, part of the New Jersey-based National Society for Experiential Education. NMC President Tim Nelson says he's "excited about the outcomes we will see as our students combine doing with learning. The institute formalizes what many of our faculty and staff have done and embeds it through the college."

Last summer, when NMC received a $1 million gift from Casey and Dana Cowell, the college listed “strengthening our region as a destination for experiential and professional learning” as one of the six key areas where the money would be used.