Despite the relatively recent popularity of culminating experiences, a multidisciplinary and practical resource that provides information for all types of culminating student experiences is not yet available. The idea for this volume arose because of the recognition that a holistic and applied resource for those looking to have general knowledge of different ways to assess student learning, especially at the undergraduate level was lacking. This text seeks to fill a gap and provide a historical context for culminating experiences, suggestions for assessment, foundational knowledge for different types of projects, and finally approaches to using these experiences in various disciplines. Because of the information desired, experts in their field from a wide variety of disciplines were approached to be chapter contributors. This resource focuses predominantly on undergraduate students but many of the chapters can either be applied to both undergraduate and graduate students (e.g., thesis) or specifically focus on the graduate student population (e.g., dissertation).
Michael G. Strawser (Ph.D., University of Kentucky, 2015) is an assistant professor of communication at the Nicholson School of Communication and Media at the University of Central Florida. In addition, Dr. Strawser serves as the Program Coordinator for the Human Communication and Communication and Conflict programs at UCF. He teaches several courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels including business and professional communication, advanced public speaking, and teaching communication. His research is primarily focused on matters relating to instructional communication and communication education.
Robin G. Yaure (Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park) is a Professor of Teaching, Human Development, and Family Studies at Penn State Mont Alto. Her research focuses on pedagogical issues such as student persistence, exam preparation, social justice and the COVID-19 pandemic, infant sleep, and translational research. She is coordinator of the Penn State HDFS in Florence summer study abroad program and coordinator of the Penn State Mont Alto HDFS and Psychology baccalaureate programs. She is also the coordinator of the Civic and Community Engagement minor.
