Measuring Learning Outcomes in Social Entrepreneurship and Community Engagement

Edmund Pries’ Laurier Teaching Fellowship project is in the early phases of the process. His project will measure the learning outcomes and student impact of two experiential learning program options offered by Laurier’s Faculty of Arts: social entrepreneurship (SE) and community engagement (CMEG). The results of the project will provide a deeper understanding of the impact these options have on students’ learning, lives and careers.

“For five years since the launch, we have heard stories and anecdotes from students and others about the life-transforming impact of these two options,” says Pries. “We will now attempt to collect comprehensive quantitative and qualitative data to assess and understand the nature of the impact on students.”

The broader community is an integral part of the learning for students pursuing these options.

The community engagement option was developed in partnership with The Working Centre in Kitchener. “Social Innovation in the City,” a course within the social entrepreneurship option, as well as a summer internship at the City of Waterloo, are connected to CityStudio in Waterloo and run as a partnership with the City of Waterloo. Not only are community partners providing experiential placements, but they are working closely with Laurier to maximize student experiential learning – from curriculum design to community enterprise research and development, to internships and student mentoring.

Learn More

• Edmund Pries Teaching Fellow Profile
• Edmund Preis Faculty Profile