Sponsoring a Career Based Experience

Who is an EXP Sponsor:

Am I eligible to be a UK Sponsor?

Teaching status is required to be a UK Sponsor for EXP 396/397/650 - this includes full and adjunct faculty as well as staff that has taught a course at UK. However, teaching assistants/graduate assistants may work with students if the supervising faculty will co-sign the learning contract and agree to be ultimately responsible for the course supervision.

Role as an EXP Sponsor

Responsibilities of the EXP Sponsor include:

• Helping the student design a learning contract on Handshake and approve it via e-mail when prompted 

• Meeting with the student to discuss progress, projects, problems, etc.

• Maintaining contact with the site supervisor as necessary

• Evaluating the learning

• Confirming Title IV student enrollment with the Registrar at the beginning of the term

• Assigning the mid-term grade

• Assigning the final grade 

• Developing and approving academic assignments which should be reflective in nature. Examples of assignments often assigned to students have included, but not limited to:

  • Weekly journals (sometimes with prompt questions)
  • Presentations (to classes on campus, at the site, etc.)
  • Comprehensive papers on the learning experience
  • Analysis assignments (e.g. "analyze the communication system used by -this company")
  • Supplemental reading to enhance the experience
  • Digital blog

• Schedule end of term review meeting  

  • Review completed field hours and requested academic credit

    • A verified and signed copy of completed field hours must be attached to each individual student’s Learning Contract at the end of term before finals week (site supervisor and student signature required).
    • Experiential Education office needs to have on file that the amount of field hours completed equals the number of academic credit hours requested.

  • Review completed academic reflection assignments

  • Discuss final grade process

• EXP Sponsors will have access to a Canvas EXP Sponsor Lounge for resources and an EXP Blueprint course in Canvas that EXP Sponsors can tailor to their specific student’s experience

Benefits

There are many benefits to becoming involved with students gaining real-world experience through a career based experience. Below are some of the most common benefits that previous EXP Sponsors have referenced.

• EXP Sponsors are able to network with professionals who come in daily contact with the realities of the profession

• Students can assist in the research of import to EXP Sponsor

• Students return to the classroom with new insights and heightened interest in the subject matter

• EXP Sponsors can learn/implement creative applications of experiential education

Training Requirements

An EXP Sponsor determines a student’s Title IV enrollment, mid-term grade, and final grade which require the UK Sponsor to have access to the Faculty Services tab within myUK. To obtain that access EXP Sponsors will need SAP SLCM Training. The following SAP SLCM Training needs to be requested by the EXP Sponsor’s department coordinator

• Statement of Responsibility
• UK 100 IRIS Awareness & Navigation
• SLCM 200 Student Lifecycle Management Overview
• SLCM_WP_210 Grading

Designing and Sponsoring an EXP Cohort Course Section

If a UK faculty or staff member is interested in designing an EXP Cohort Course Section, they can contact the EXP staff at expblue@uky.edu for more information.