Syracuse University’s Whitman School

Inside Syracuse Whitman’s New Experiential Learning Center

If you’re looking for an education that’s all about real world experience, then Whitman is the place to be.

This week at Syracuse University, the Whitman School of Management officially launched the Whitman Experiential Center. This is a major step forward in the school’s Transformation 2030 plan, and overall, a huge win for students in helping support their future careers.

The new center is now home to all the hands-on high impact programs that Whitman is known for, from global immersions to case competitions to consulting projects with real companies.

“What we are launching is not simply a new program or office,” says Interim Dean Alex McKelvie. “This is a defining commitment to the culture of Whitman and how we prepare students. Experiential learning is central to how we develop the skills, judgment and perspective our students need to lead.”

LEARNING BY DOING AT WHITMAN

The Experiential Center is built around four pillars that reflect what it means to be a Whitman student today: Be Global, Be Innovative, Be Collaborative and Be Prepared.

“A student might begin with our first-year experiential AI course and use virtual reality in their sophomore management course to develop communication skills” says Erin Draper, the center’s director.

The center also supports Whitman students who’d like to go on immersions, participate in case competitions, partake in consulting projects, or even work with a startup through their Orange Business Angel Network.

According to Kevin Gray at NACE, this is exactly the kind of learning that today’s employers are hoping their future employees are experiencing. More than 70% of employers say they’re looking to hire candidates who’ve had real world experiences during their time at college.

“Each of those experiences builds on the last,” says Draper. “Students are not just collecting experiences. They are building a track record of excellence and relevance.”

A final powerful aspect of the new center is its supportive network. Whitman’s alumni and employer partners will soon be mentoring student teams, which will likely open doors to career opportunities.

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