BVU Students Gain Hands-On Experience

For Ryan Hammond, Buena Vista University's pioneering eBVyou wireless technology has opened up a unique and rich experiential learning opportunity. As a server administrator in BVU's Stewart Siebens Computer Center, Ryan gets to apply classroom knowledge to practical situations almost every day.

"Trusting students to do the work that most schools were handling with full-time staff is a wonderful fit with the University's philosophy of education and experiential learning," explains Ken Clipperton, managing director of university information services.

Thus, students form the core staff of the "2FIX" help desk, administer servers and help staff the Teaching and Learning with Technology Center. Such experience has substantial implications for students' future careers. "Students working here are getting the equivalent of post-graduate professional experience while they are undergraduate students," says Clipperton.

"I see it as a privilege to have this opportunity," says Ryan. "Previous server administrators were held to high standards, and I have a responsibility to live up to those same standards and expectations."

Experiential Learning: Biology | Chemistry | Computer Science | Mathematics | Physics