See our full episode notes at https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/student-ownership-in-vertically-integrated-undergraduate-research-projects/.

Jessie L. Moore and Nolan Schultheis talk with Kasey Wozniak about how vertically integrated project (VIP) courses support student project ownership, authentic undergraduate research, and career readiness. Drawing on her research at Idaho State University, Wozniak shares how flexible course design, near-peer mentoring, and public presentations help students build confidence, collaboration skills, and a sense of belonging—making college learning more meaningful and worthwhile.

This episode is co-hosted by Jessie L. Moore, Director of Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning, and Nolan Schultheis, a third-year student at Elon University, studying Psychology with an interest in law. Nolan Schultheis also edited the episode. Making College “Worth It” is produced by Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning.

Episode art was created by Jessie Moore and Jennie Goforth. The image in the episode art is by pch.vector on Freepik.

Funky Percussions is by Denys Kyshchuk (@audiocoffeemusic) – https://www.audiocoffee.net/. Soft Beat is by ComaStudio.

See our full episode notes at https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/paths-of-inquiry-course-based-undergraduate-research-for-first-year-students/

In this episode, we explore a first-year course that provides a foundation to inspire and foster undergraduate research. We speak with Dr. Cynthia Fair, a Professor of Public Health Studies and Human Service Studies at Elon University, and Dr. Dave Gammon, a Professor of Biology at Elon University. Together, they describe a course that scaffolds research, starting with asking effective questions, and sets up an engaging four-year research experience.

This episode is co-hosted by Jessie L. Moore, Director of Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning, and Nolan Schultheis, a third-year student at Elon University, studying Psychology with an interest in law. Nolan Schultheis also edited the episode. Making College “Worth It” is produced by Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning.

Episode art was created by Nolan Schultheis and Jennie Goforth.

Funky Percussions is by Denys Kyshchuk (@audiocoffeemusic) – https://www.audiocoffee.net/. Soft Beat is by ComaStudio.

See our full episode notes at https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/incorporating-artificial-intelligence-into-engineering/

In this episode, we explore the technical, ethical, and social complexities of using AI in engineering. We speak with Dr. Blake Hament, Assistant Professor of Engineering at Elon University, who shares an example of developing a voice-enabled robotic guide dog in close collaboration with members of the visually-impaired community. Our conversation also examines the long history of AI in engineering, illustrating that GenAI is an updated application of a longstanding technology.

This episode is co-hosted by Jessie L. Moore, Director of Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning, and Nolan Schultheis, a third-year student at Elon University, studying Psychology with an interest in law. Nolan Schultheis also edited the episode.

Episode art was created by Nolan Schultheis and Jennie Goforth.

Funky Percussions is by Denys Kyshchuk (@audiocoffeemusic) – https://www.audiocoffee.net/. Soft Beat is by ComaStudio.

Making College “Worth It” is produced by Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning.

See our full episode notes at https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/course-based-undergraduate-research-experiences-in-the-humanities/.

In this episode, we explore strategies to keep students engaged in research in the humanities. We speak with Dr. Mary Isbell, an associate professor of English at the University of New Haven, and Dr. Kevin Ostoyich, a professor of history at Valparaiso University. Our conversation focuses on course-based undergraduate research experiences they’ve developed. Listen in to learn how they scaffold research experiences in the humanities!

This episode is co-hosted by Jessie L. Moore, Director of Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning, and Nolan Schultheis, a third-year student at Elon University, studying Psychology with an interest in law. Nolan Schultheis also edited the episode. Making College “Worth It” is produced by Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning.

Episode art was created by Nolan Schultheis and Jennie Goforth.

Funky Percussions is by Denys Kyshchuk (@audiocoffeemusic) – https://www.audiocoffee.net/. Soft Beat is by ComaStudio.

See our extended episode notes at https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/navigating-generative-ai-in-higher-education/

In this episode, Nolan and Jessie speak with Dr. Mandy Olejnik, the Assistant Director of Writing Across the Curriculum at Miami University of Ohio. Dr. Olejnik has been monitoring generative AI and its use for the instruction and practice of writing in higher education classrooms. Listen in to learn more about how AI is affecting writing in higher education!

This episode is co-hosted by Jessie L. Moore, Director of Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning, and Nolan Schultheis, a third-year student at Elon University, studying Psychology with an interest in law. Nolan Schultheis also edited the episode. Making College “Worth It” is produced by Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning.

Episode art was created by Nolan Schultheis and Jennie Goforth.

Funky Percussions is by Denys Kyshchuk (@audiocoffeemusic) – https://www.audiocoffee.net/. Soft Beat is by ComaStudio.

See our full episode notes at https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/alumni-perceptions-of-generative-ai/

In this episode, Nolan and Jessie talk with Travis Maynard, Tim Peeples, and Paula Rosinski about their recent research on alumni perceptions of generative AI. Drs. Maynard, Peeples, and Rosinski share what they're learning about the role of AI in professionals' day-to-day lives, across professional, civic, and personal spaces. They also highlight what they've learned about "power users" of AI and suggest implications for teaching and practicing effective AI use in higher education.

This episode is co-hosted by Jessie L. Moore, Director of Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning, and Nolan Schultheis, a second-year student at Elon University, studying Psychology with an interest in law. Jessie L. Moore also edited the episode. Making College “Worth It” is produced by Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning, an international research center.

Episode art was created by Nolan Schultheis and Jennie Goforth.

Funky Percussions is by Denys Kyshchuk (@audiocoffeemusic) - https://www.audiocoffee.net/. Soft Beat is by ComaStudio.

See our extended episode notes at

In this episode, Nolan and Jessie talk with Dr. Paul Miller about facilitating reflection in undergraduate research. Collaborating with colleagues in experiential learning, Paul and Jessie created the FIRE Toolkit, a free resource to foster students’ self-reflection and mentoring conversations with peers, staff, and faculty. Engaging with the FIRE Toolkit helps students deepen their experiences with global engagement (study abroad or Study USA), internships, leadership, research, and service (community-based learning).

This episode is co-hosted by Jessie L. Moore, Director of Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning, and Nolan Schultheis, a second-year student at Elon University, studying Psychology with an interest in law. Nolan Schultheis also edited the episode. Making College “Worth It” is produced by Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning.

Episode art was created by Nolan Schultheis and Jennie Goforth.

Funky Percussions is by Denys Kyshchuk (@audiocoffeemusic) - https://www.audiocoffee.net/. Soft Beat is by ComaStudio.

See our full episode notes at https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/sense-of-belonging-in-internships/.

In this episode, Nolan and Jessie talk with Dr. Melinda Adams and Dr. Jody Jessup-Anger about the relational aspects of internships. Our guests' research explores how trust and sense of belonging contribute to students’ satisfaction with their internship experiences.

This episode is co-hosted by Jessie L. Moore, Director of Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning, and Nolan Schultheis, a second-year student at Elon University, studying Psychology with an interest in law. Nolan Schultheis also edited the episode. Making College “Worth It” is produced by Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning.