Philosophy and Mission
Transforming Education Through Experience
At the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, we believe learning is most impactful when it extends beyond the classroom. Our philosophy of experiential learning (ExL) emphasizes hands-on, real-world engagement that deepens understanding, fosters critical thinking, and prepares students for meaningful lives and careers.
Our mission is to create opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in diverse contexts—through research, internships, community partnerships, and global experiences. By integrating experiential learning into our academic programs, we empower students to become active participants in their education, gaining skills and insights that transcend traditional boundaries.
The Dietrich School is committed to supporting faculty in designing innovative experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong passion for learning. Together, we shape an education that is as dynamic and diverse as the world our students are preparing to lead.
Meet the Dean’s Fellow for Experiential Learning
Abdesalam Soudi
Teaching Associate Professor, Department of Linguistics; Director, Linguistics Internship and Consulting Program; Co-Director, Teaching Cultural Competency for Educators, Master's Course, Institute for Clinical Research Education (ICRE); Electus Faculty, David C. Frederick Honors College
Abdesalam Soudi is dedicated to advancing experiential learning across the Dietrich School. As Dean’s Fellow for Experiential Learning and a proud Pitt alum, Soudi has long championed outreach and community engagement as essential to integrating knowledge with experience and innovation. With a passion for interdisciplinary collaboration and student-centered education, he works with with faculty and students in the 42 academic departments and programs in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences to design and implement transformative learning experiences. Soudi is a resource for innovative course development, fostering connections with community and global partners, and ensuring students gain the skills to thrive in and beyond the classroom. His vision includes establishing a Community of Practice bringing together faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community and industry partners to create a collaborative framework where stakeholders can share best practices, build sustainable projects, and amplify the transformative impact of experiential learning.
Connect with Soudi to learn how he can support your experiential learning initiatives or to collaborate on innovative ideas to expand ExL!
Partner With Us
Advancing Education and Addressing Societal Challenges
At the Dietrich School, we believe in the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration to tackle pressing societal issues, create lasting change, and improve life and work for all. Do you have a project or initiative that could benefit from fresh perspectives and top-tier student talent? The Dietrich School invites industry partners to collaborate by offering internships, research opportunities, community projects, or other experiential learning activities.
By partnering with us, you’ll gain access to motivated, curious students eager to contribute their skills and creativity to solve real-world challenges. Together, we can shape the next generation of leaders while advancing your organization's goals.
Our approach goes beyond traditional partnerships. We work closely with you to design culturally responsive initiatives that address your unique needs while fostering community well-being, enhancing education, and creating opportunities for sustainable impact. By focusing on meaningful collaboration, we ensure that every initiative reflects an understanding of diverse perspectives and aligns with shared goals.
As a partner, you will also benefit from visibility through university platforms, co-branded events, and opportunities to connect with other leaders in exclusive networking sessions. To celebrate and honor the vital role of our partners, we also recognize their contributions at our annual cross-disciplinary conference with awards such as the Outstanding Industry Partner Award, Outstanding Collaborator Award, and Outstanding Community Partner Award. These recognitions highlight your commitment to advancing education, fostering innovation, and addressing critical societal challenges. The Dean’s Fellow will be happy to discuss these opportunities further.
Submit an Opportunity and join us in making a lasting impact!
Fostering Innovation, Reflection, and Collaboration
Experiential Learning Initiatives
Experiential Learning at the Dietrich School is rooted in a commitment to fostering innovation, cultivating reflection to deepen understanding and forge meaningful connections between academic knowledge and real-world applications, and promoting collaboration to build impactful partnerships across disciplines, industries, and communities. Through initiatives like Steeping and Pouring Possibilities, Annual Faculty and Partner Retreats, and the Annual Humanities @ Work Cross-Disciplinary Conference, we create opportunities for thoughtful preparation, dynamic exchange, and transformative collaboration. These programs bring together students, faculty, alumni, and partners to inspire new ideas, celebrate accomplishments, and expand experiential learning opportunities that equip students for meaningful and impactful futures.
- Steeping and Pouring Possibilities in ExL
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At the heart of innovation and collaboration is a simple cup of tea. This unique experiential learning initiative combines the art of tea preparation with meaningful conversations about career development and academic growth. Participants explore how experiential learning opportunities—such as internships, research, and community projects—can help them achieve their academic and professional goals, all while enjoying a thoughtfully curated tea experience.
The ritual of making tea symbolizes thoughtfulness, community, and shared experience. Just as tea is steeped carefully and poured to bring people together. The steeping process represents taking time for reflection (a vital component of ExL), ensuring all voices are heard, and allowing ideas to mature and deepen, while pouring embodies the act of sharing these insights and fostering an inclusive, hospitable, and collaborative environment. Together, steeping and pouring form a continuous cycle of reflection, application, and participation, creating space for follow-up and sustained growth.
Nurturing these relationships strengthens partnerships, drives impactful outcomes, emphasizes a reciprocal exchange of knowledge, networking, and problem-solving. Fostering a space like this where ideas are both nurtured and shared will encourage innovation, reflection, and collaboration across disciplines and prepare students for impactful real-world engagement.
Meet for tea (or coffee) in-person (or remote, as needed) at 9 a.m. ET on the first and third Fridays of the month. Email Abdesalam Soudi to set up a meeting.
- Inaugural Retreat: Laying the Foundation for Transformative ExL
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Be part of a transformative, multiyear retreat initiative designed to reimagine Experiential Learning (ExL) at Pitt and beyond. This retreat, an opportunity to pause and reflect, offers faculty, staff, and collaborators from diverse disciplines a chance to come together, share insights, build lasting relationships, and co-create innovative approaches that empower students to thrive academically, professionally, and personally. Participants will collaboratively help lay the foundation for a bold new vision of ExL—one that integrates creativity, reflection, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to address the evolving challenges of education and society. Join us in this groundbreaking effort to inspire change, drive success, and transform education through the power of collaboration.
Retreat Highlights
- Collaboratively raft a framework for a central repository of ExL best practices and methods.
- Discover new resources to support teaching and professional growth in ExL.
- Explore technology tools to enhance reflective practices and track learning trends.
- Collaborate to create an ExL Community of Practice to explore school-wide partnerships.
- Lay the foundation for a scholarly collection showcasing innovative ExL practices @ Pitt.
- Discover strategies for building meaningful partnerships and long-term alumni engagement.
- Pair ExL with character education to prepare students for complex societal challenges.
- Annual Humanities @ Work Cross-Disciplinary Conference: Integrating Knowledge, Experience, and Innovation
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Eighth annual conference to be held Friday, April 4, 2025. More information coming soon!
Faculty Resources
The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences is committed to fostering meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that enrich the classroom and prepare students for real-world success. We offer a wealth of resources to help faculty integrate experiential learning into their courses, including:
- Assessment Tools: Resources to help evaluate the impact of experiential learning on student outcomes and identify areas for growth.
- Collaborative Project Support: Guidance for designing research, community engagement, or team-based projects.
- Funding Opportunities: Access to grants and stipends to support fieldwork, travel, and innovative course enhancements.
- Partnership Development: Assistance in connecting with local organizations, industry partners, and campus resources.
- Workshops and Consultations: Tools and strategies for implementing high-impact practices tailored to your discipline.
Whether you're looking to launch a new experiential course or enhance an existing one, we're here to help you create transformative learning opportunities for your students.
