Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning
At W&L, we believe in the power of learning by doing which is why exploration and challenge are at the heart of our curriculum.
Our students are invited to expand their education beyond traditional classrooms and broaden their understanding through engaging, hands-on experiences. Learning opportunities come in a variety of shapes and size, often in the form of community-based learning, global education and undergraduate research. Experiences are only limited by students’ imaginations.
Students might predict the next presidential nominee during Mock Convention, devise ways to supply clean water to impoverished communities with Engineering Community Development, produce weekly news broadcasts with The Rockbridge Report, provide pro bono consulting services to non-profits as part of W&L Student Consulting group, or facilitate communication within the increasingly diverse population in Rockbridge County through ESOL.
Spring Term
Imagine exploring a topic in-depth and working intensely alongside your fellow students and your professor. That’s the essence of Spring Term. Students choose one course from about 200 options that may be conducted in the U.S. or abroad. It’s not uncommon for students to say after their Spring Term experience, “This course changed my life.”
The Rockbridge Report
Produced weekly by journalism students at Ƶ, The Rockbridge Report seeks to provide the community with fair, accurate and accountable news coverage and in-depth analysis of local issues. While the content is produced by Washington and Lee students and overseen by their professors, The Rockbridge Report focuses on news outside of the college campus.
Mock Convention
Beginning in 1908, W&L students have replicated the national convention of the party out of power in the White House every four years, continuing a tradition fueled by rigorous research and non-partisan student leadership. Mock Convention is now a 112-year tradition at W&L, and is the most accurate and realistic mock presidential nominating convention in the nation.
Field Programs
W&L offers several field programs through a variety of programs and departments where students are introduced to and participate in activities directly related to potential careers after graduation.
Shenandoah
Whether you’re a writer, interested in editing or publishing as a career, or just looking for an experience unlike other classes at W&L, the Shenandoah internship provides students with the opportunity to think about language in new ways. The literary magazine has been publishing fiction and poetry from writers around the world for 75 years, and its practicum course offers experiential learning in editing, manuscript evaluation, production, web design, and publicity.
Stories
W&L’s International Student Mentors Program pairs new international students with upper-division students to help them navigate life on campus.
Jay Margalus, Johnson Professor of Entrepreneurship and Leadership and director of the Connolly Center for Entrepreneurship, offers us an office tour.
Students in W&L’s Bonner Program spent the last year creating a digital map of health care networks for people experiencing homelessness worldwide.
A group of students passionate about research has been working tirelessly to make this year’s Science, Society and the Arts 2025 conference an event to remember.
Mackenzie Brooks, associate professor and digital humanities librarian, has made an impact on campus through her innovative and collaborative approach to teaching and scholarship.
Mariam Drammeh ’25 has approached research, internships and campus involvement with an eye toward a future rooted in service to others.
Past presidents of Ƶ’s Executive Committee reflect on how it prepared them for a life of values-driven leadership.
At WLUR-FM, Ƶ’s radio voice since 1967, students get an introduction to audio production, podcasting and more.
This fall, W&L students learned environmental field methods at a six-acre site in Rockbridge County set aside for experiential learning.
Associate professor Ryan Brindle’s sleep lab gives students unparalleled opportunities to conduct hands-on research at the undergraduate level.
Students polished their pitching skills at a video pitch competition on Dec. 6 in the Harte Center for Teaching and Learning.
The interdisciplinary research project has been selected to participate in an open competition among medieval digital humanities projects for K-12 students.
“ The invaluable lessons I have learned from Mock Con, both in political analysis and leadership, will carry with me into my future endeavors, whatever they may be.”
John Harashinski
Major: American Politics • Minor: Education Policy