Building Connections IRL

Translating Learning into Professional Experience

The Engaged Learning Office connects classroom learning with real-world experience through meaningful partnerships and applied projects.

The University of Michigan School of Information's Engaged Learning Office is a vital resource that bridges the gap between academic theory and professional practice. The ELO embeds real-world, client-based projects directly into core UMSI coursework, enabling students to develop high-impact deliverables that form the foundation of a robust professional portfolio.

Students work in teams to deliver actionable results for diverse, real clients. Past examples include designing a better election results dashboard for the Michigan Department of State or optimizing a data management system for a national park.

The ELO partners with more than 100 organizations annually, carefully balancing a partner's need for a deliverable with a student's need for a meaningful learning experience.

Lori Donovan, Associate Director of External Engagement and Adjunct Lecturer in Information, highlights the breadth of their collaborations: "The Engaged Learning Office works with a wide range of external partners and clients, from libraries and archives to corporate, industry, and nonprofit organizations. We are eager to work with small businesses and startups and are designing new programs that will meet their unique needs, while exposing students to another industry type and hopefully encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit amongst them."

For external partners, the value often extends beyond tangible outcomes like UX designs, data analysis, or digitization plans. Clients are motivated to contribute to students' learning, providing hands-on experience that gives them a sense of the problems they'll tackle in their future careers.

To ensure a successful partnership, the ELO employs a rigorous client recruitment process with two cycles per year. They are highly conscientious about setting clear expectations:

"We work closely with each organization to ensure that they understand the opportunities and limitations of working with students. We are transparent that student work is furthering their learning and allowing them to apply skills they’re developing. The students are not experts and should not be working on 'mission-critical' projects," explains Donovan.

The goal is to match students with meaningful projects that add value to an organization while avoiding misaligned deadlines or projects that could negatively impact a client if deliverables aren't met.

Beyond client projects, the ELO collaborates with faculty to deliver crucial professional skills training often difficult to teach in a traditional lecture setting. Graduates with this level of applied experience are often considered stronger, more adaptable candidates in a competitive job market.

As Donovan notes: "Students, especially those without extensive professional experience, often draw on examples of group project work, client communication, and other essential skills gained in engaged learning during job interviews."

This valuable experience culminates each spring at the Student Project Exposition (join us April 20, 2026), where students showcase their work to peers, faculty, clients, and potential employers. Students can also submit projects to be judged by industry experts, competing for cash prizes and the chance to further hone their professional storytelling skills.

Partners interested in hosting a student project can find detailed information about courses and client expectations on the Host a Student Project website.