IDEAL Learning Program

Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity for Advancing Leadership

The IDEAL Learning Program is a package of 1-credit courses, experiential learning opportunities, and co-curricular activities designed to build leadership over four years. Employers value the skills acquired through first hand professional experience which makes IDEAL the perfect way to build career readiness while fulfilling course requirements at SJU.

IDEAL Learning is designed for students to actualize their leadership goals and talents through a multitude of opportunities, and IDEAL scaffolds a variety of academic, interpersonal, and career skills over the course of several semesters.

IDEAL ALLOWS STUDENTS TO...

• Participate in a learning community focused on building academic and professional success
• Develop critical thinking skills to strengthen leadership capabilities
• Gain professional experience and networking opportunities

With IDEAL, students can gain valuable professional experience while still focusing on academic success in the classroom through a series of one credit courses offered through the Political Science department. These courses include…

• POL 195 Ideal Learning
• POL 291 Ideal Scholars
• POL 292 Ideal Leaders

Within each of these courses, students will learn to understand the importance of inclusive, equitable leadership all while fulfilling requirements for their undergraduate degree.

BUILDING LEADERS

Students can apply to be Scholars and Leaders in the IDEAL Learning Program as early as their sophomore year, where they will practice various hands-on leadership opportunities. These experiences include mentoring the next cohort of IDEAL Learners, developing events and activities, and even serving as research/teaching assistants for faculty in the department. 

GAINING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

On campus mini-internships (i.e. Minternships) provide students an opportunity to intern (approximately 3 hours weekly, or 40-45 total semester hours) in offices, initiatives, and projects across the SJU campus that are related to skill-building within Political Science and International Relations. Students will...

• Develop writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Examine various venues through which they can apply their knowledge and skills
• Integrate academic learning into professional life by gaining hands-on work experience that builds skills, confidence, and academic connections.

A Minternship (mini-internship) is a one credit on campus opportunity that can be built in to your IDEAL Learning course sequence. The IDEAL Learning Program offers a wide variety of professional experiences that students can take advantage across the university. Students can also "stack" Minternships over four years to fulfill their experiential learning graduation requirement. 

The IDEAL Learning Program offers these time manageable, flexible, and easily accessible one credit positions in places across campus like: Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Office of Information Technology - Academic Technology, Career Center, Office of Marketing and Communications, Campus Ministry, Kinney Center, Undergraduate Advising Support Center, Women's Leadership Initiative, HawkHUB Club, and so many more!