Top 15 in Experiential Learning 

The C. T. Bauer College of Business is redefining how students build career skills through experiential learning and is now ranked No. 15 among public institutions nationally by EAB. 

The ranking is determined primarily by student engagement, faculty involvement and institutional characteristics. Led by the Office of Experiential Learning, Bauer College students have access to hundreds of online Forage learning simulations that develop a range of business skills.  

“It’s about career development,” Rockwell Career Center (RCC) Director of Experiential Learning Troy Hopkins said. “We give students a taste of what it would be like to work in these different industries and for these different companies without having to interact with them directly.”  

On campus, RCC leverages relationships with industry partners to provide students with opportunities to learn by doing, including partnering with BP for a case competition.  

In the digital section of the required Connecting Bauer to Business (BUSI 3302) class, students must use the Forage platform to complete a virtual simulation. Hopkins said it’s a priority for the office to have career readiness tools available to all students.  

“Our experiential learning is not just focused on people who are here in person. Anyone can use this system to get themselves integrated in what it would be like to work for a company, even if they're only doing it online,” he said. 

The simulations students conduct take several hours and mirror the work that a first-year associate would do. Once completed, students can compare their results with a sample and can opt to submit simulation to the company it was based on.  

Hopkins said by participating in the platform tools, students can explore various career avenues in a low-stakes environment.  

“It helps students figure out what tools are going to be necessary for them to be proficient working at these companies,” he said. “It also gives them a chance to understand that they already have some transferable skills.” 

Learn more about Bauer experiential learning here.