Beyond the classroom

Rufus at the career fair in a suit giving two thumbs up

Beyond the classroom

The office of Signature Academic Experiences offers students unique opportunities to get involved on and off campus.

Jack Rohrer | January 28, 2025

Looking to get involved on and off campus? Check out OHIO’s Signature Academic Experiences (SAE) Office. Located on the ground floor of Chubb Hall, room 060. Established in the fall of 2024, SAE aims to support students engaging in their academic field.

SAE offers multiple kinds of support:

Peer- and staff-led outdoor experiences like backpacking, canoeing, and camping;

Signature experiences, which vary depending on each student’s year in school and include learning communities, student organizations, and major-specific career and networking opportunities.

Alternative spring break in Appalachia: an immersive, interdisciplinary experience rooted in service to the surrounding community.
Student employment engagement, which allows students to browse job openings both on and off campus, inquire about work study opportunities and develop new skills.
Employment engagement opportunities: a variety of student jobs, modules, and programs to help students explore potential career fields.

"Signature Academic Experiences is focused on creating and shining the spotlight on programs that will connect students to their academic program/career and to each other," said Assistant Dean of Learning Communities and Signature Academic Experiences Barb Remsburg.

Students hiking in the woods — SAE offers a variety of outdoor experiences, including hiking, camping and canoeing.

SAE's newly-announced spring initiatives include:

Meals with Mentors, a program that connects students with alumni in their desired academic and career fields.
Building Bobcat Success: Competencies for Career Development, an online self-reflection module to help students get the most out of their on-campus jobs.
Thriving Quotient Sophomore Experiences Survey, which will gather baseline data on the thriving and satisfaction levels of sophomore students (set to launch in March).
A series of financial literacy workshops to support students in budgeting and planning for their time at �� and beyond.

“We are excited about these new programs," Kimberly Jeffers, director of SAE said. "We look forward to supporting our students as they grow and thrive both academically and professionally."