This fall, Oxford College launched the Impact Lab, an initiative offering students hands-on engagement with real-world industry professionals. Unlike a typical academic college course, the one-hour credit program takes place at the Center for Pathways and Purpose, a hub designed for student exploration and experiential learning, which opened in March.
“It’s a very informal, neutral space that isn’t going to give a vibe of assessment all the time, and I think that’s a unique quality of the program,” says Bridgette Gunnels, associate dean and director of the Center for Pathways and Purpose.
Bridgette Gunnels, associate dean and director of the Center for Pathways and Purpose.
The Impact Lab course consists of eight weekly meetings with the professionals-in-residence, three debriefing meetings with Gunnels and four off-campus experiential practicums led by the professionals-in-residence.
The offsite practicums are a unique feature and offer students real-life exposure to what a work day might be like in a specific industry. This semester’s cohort visited Tyler Perry Studios and Cinelease Studios – Three Ring.
This program offers an innovative approach to mentor/mentee relationships, where students are in direct contact with and work alongside industry professionals.
“It's not about performing and producing,” Gunnels says. “It’s meant to be a hybrid, neutral space where external individuals are interacting with our students in an industry-specific context.”
Moreover, the program encourages students to ask questions, and without the added pressure of being graded and evaluated on performance, discussions can be more open.
“They ask real questions and they get real answers,” Gunnels says. “They’re not afraid of asking what many fear is a ‘dumb’ question. At the Impact Lab, no question is off the table.”
Gunnels says that Impact Lab’s immersive model allows participants to get to know and learn from the professionals-in-residence.
“It gives students a chance to interact with these professionals in a space that is not just a ‘drop-in’ environment or one where they don’t have a chance to deeply engage,” says Gunnels.
A key element of the program is reducing the stigma around failure and setbacks. Industry professionals share real-life stories of how they navigate and overcome obstacles. “Many of our students struggle when they encounter failure,” says Gunnels. “The Impact Lab encourages students to reframe their mindset when facing struggles and view it as practice for success.”
The Impact Lab connects with faculty each semester, building intentional connections between academic programs and the Impact Lab focus.
The program also engages with the alumni network to serve as professionals-in-residence, allowing alums to contribute their time and see immediate connections with students. On the student side, it makes these professionals more relatable.
Although this is the program’s pilot semester, it has already received great feedback from currently enrolled students and garnered the interest of others.
“Our early data indicates the Impact Lab is showing signs of deep success already,” Gunnels says. “I feel like that’s going to solidify quite well.”
Next semester, the Impact Lab will focus on pathways in medicine, medical-affiliated careers and the business of medicine.