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Fostering Innovation, Reflection, and Collaboration
Experiential Learning at the Dietrich School is rooted in a commitment to fostering innovation, cultivating reflection to deepen understanding and forge meaningful connections between academic knowledge and real-world applications, and promoting collaboration to build impactful partnerships across disciplines, industries, and communities. Our initiatives bring together students, faculty, alumni, and partners to inspire new ideas, celebrate accomplishments, and expand experiential learning opportunities that equip students for meaningful and impactful futures. Learn more about these initiatives below:
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Steeping and Pouring Possibilities in ExL
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At the heart of innovation and collaboration is a simple cup of tea. This unique experiential learning initiative combines the art of tea preparation with meaningful conversations about career development and academic growth. Participants explore how experiential learning opportunities—such as internships, research, and community projects—can help them achieve their academic and professional goals, all while enjoying a thoughtfully curated tea experience.
The ritual of making tea symbolizes thoughtfulness, community, and shared experience. Just as tea is steeped carefully and poured to bring people together. The steeping process represents taking time for reflection (a vital component of ExL), ensuring all voices are heard, and allowing ideas to mature and deepen, while pouring embodies the act of sharing these insights and fostering an inclusive, hospitable, and collaborative environment. Together, steeping and pouring form a continuous cycle of reflection, application, and participation, creating space for follow-up and sustained growth.
Meet for tea or coffee in-person (or remote, as needed)! Email Abdesalam Soudi to set up a meeting
- Retreat: Laying the Foundation for Transformative ExL
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Be part of a transformative, multiyear retreat initiative designed to reimagine Experiential Learning (ExL) at Pitt and beyond. This retreat, an opportunity to pause and reflect, offers faculty, staff, and collaborators from diverse disciplines a chance to come together, share insights, build lasting relationships, and co-create innovative approaches that empower students to thrive academically, professionally, and personally. Participants will collaboratively help lay the foundation for a bold new vision of ExL—one that integrates creativity, reflection, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to address the evolving challenges of education and society. Join us in this groundbreaking effort to inspire change, drive success, and transform education through the power of collaboration. Email Abdesalam Soudi to learn more.
Retreat Highlights
Collaboratively raft a framework for a central repository of ExL best practices and methods.
Discover new resources to support teaching and professional growth in ExL.
Explore technology tools to enhance reflective practices and track learning trends.
Collaborate to create an ExL Community of Practice to explore school-wide partnerships.
Lay the foundation for a scholarly collection showcasing innovative ExL practices @ Pitt.
Discover strategies for building meaningful partnerships and long-term alumni engagement.
Pair ExL with character education to prepare students for complex societal challenges. - Annual Humanities @ Work Cross-Disciplinary Conference: Integrating Knowledge, Experience, and Innovation
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Save the date for the ninth annual conference to be held Thursday, April 9, 2026. More information coming soon!