MoWest hosts annual Applied Learning in Higher Education Conference, drawing in educators from across the world

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Saturday was MoWest's annual Conference on Applied Learning in Higher Education, an event that has grown significantly since Dr. Tilottama Roy, Vice Provost for Graduate and Sponsored Programs, took the reins.

"This is a celebration of applied learning," Roy explained. "It's hands-on, whatever you're learning in classrooms inside campus, how do you use it outside of campus, but also in classes?"

While MoWest serves as the state's designated institution for applied learning, the conference draws participants from far beyond St. Joseph.

This year's attendees came from Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and even one international participant who zoomed in from Kosovo.

The two-day event features the full range of academic conference offerings: poster sessions, a plenary speaker, a banquet dinner, concurrent oral presentations, workshops, and roundtable discussions.

But the focus remains consistently on how theoretical knowledge translates into practical application.

"What we get to see here is just a celebration of applied learning," Roy said. "Presentations range from classroom teaching experiences, student experiences, study away programs, practicum internships, as well as community collaborations. Various areas, right from biology to education to criminal justice to nursing, you name it."

Among the presenters was Dr. Maartje Van Den Bogaard, a graduate faculty member from Missouri State University's Office of the Provost.

Her research focuses on a question many educators ponder: What do students really gain from co-ops and internships?

"We very often have all these ideas about them learning a lot about technical skills, but I'm really interested in what soft skills they would actually also pick up," Vanden Bogart said.

Her findings suggest that educators could do more to prepare students for professional environments based on what returning interns report.

"One of the things we could do much better is be more deliberate in helping students become better observers and interpret what they see," she explained. "Help them understand what that means for professional dynamics, for group dynamics, and in turn, how they can act within those types of spaces when they are outside of a school setting."

Julia Morse, who teaches engineering technology at Kansas State University's Salina campus, shared her work on HyFlex teaching, an approach that allows students to choose whether to attend class in person or participate online.

The model addresses a practical challenge many students face: balancing education with work and other responsibilities.

"It gives flexibility for students to work in industry, or maybe they have flexibility to go to school when they have other responsibilities," Morse said. "It gives just a little bit more scheduling flexibility."

Like Van Den Bogaard, Morse sees applied learning as fundamentally about bridge-building.

"For applied learning, we're really in the business of finding that bridge between education and industry," Morse said. "Different educators are finding different ways to do that. We're in different fields, the technologies are changing, I heard a lot of presentations today using AI. We're in the real world of trying to get folks out doing real things as they're learning, really realizing that what they're doing is applicable right now."

For Roy, the conference offers students more than just exposure to research, it provides opportunities to develop what Missouri Western calls "essential skills" (often referred to elsewhere as soft skills).

"If students are presenting, it's a great experience for them, because no matter which career they choose, they'll always have to make their spiel," Roy said. "That skill of presenting their work or themselves, or what they do or what they're really passionate about."

Networking also ranks high among the benefits.

"There are different classroom experiences, students learn a lot of stuff, and at times get to interact with other students," Roy added. "That networking is always a great experience."

She noted that students frequently approach him after sessions, excited about something they've learned, whether it's where to find internship opportunities or what study away programs offer.

Beyond the immediate benefits to students and educators, Van Den Bogaard pointed out that Missouri Western plays an underappreciated role in the broader academic landscape.

"Missouri Western really does have a key role in the academic literature, where we kind of make a record of what we educators are doing around the world for applied learning," she said. "A lot of people may not know that it's kind of just a hidden gem here. Their coordination in doing this conference is really part of that."

For Roy, who organizes the event alongside the Griffin Office of Live Learning, the work is personally rewarding.

"I feel really fortunate that I get to organize this every year in my role," she said. "It's just a celebration of applied learning. It's one of the great things that we do at Missouri Western. To see faculty, staff and students get together along with members from other institutions, it's mind-blowing."

As for first-time visitors to St. Joseph, the conference left a positive impression.

"I really appreciated being in St. Joseph, my first time here," Van Den Bogaard said. "I have a very positive image of Missouri Western and the town. I'll definitely be back."