Muskingum News

Learning

A Summer of High-Impact Experiences
Katelyn Lindsey in Bratislava

This summer, Muskingum’s Impact Center continued its mission to connect students with high-impact experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, the Impact Center proudly offers the High-Impact Experience Grant.

The grant supports students in pursuing applied learning opportunities beyond the classroom, aiming to reduce financial barriers that might prevent them from participating in transformative experiences.

Senior Director of the Impact Center, Amy Nestor, described a high-impact experience as “an opportunity that allows students to actively apply what they’re learning.”

These opportunities can take many forms—internships, research projects, study away programs, leadership roles, or even part-time jobs—where students are building valuable, real-world skills.

“What makes these experiences truly ‘high-impact’ is the meaningful effect they have on the student. They take the Muskingum experience to the next level, often becoming life-changing moments that help students grow personally and professionally,” said Amy.

This summer, 10 students received support from the High-Impact Experience Grant, helping to remove financial barriers and open the door to transformative opportunities.

This year’s recipients took on a wide range of meaningful experiences. Alex Watson is studying computer science and the Japanese language in Tokyo, Japan. Caitlyn Todd is interning as a park educator at Deerassic Park. Katelyn Lindsey is completing a journalism internship in Bratislava, Slovakia. Miu Kumagai is interning at the LGBT Community Center of Cleveland. Sydney Belville, Sydnee Duskey, and Claire Smith participated in the May Term Europe trip.

While in Bratislava, Katelyn is working on an independent journalism project exploring how Slovakian architecture reflects cultural identity—particularly in neighborhoods, apartment blocks, and historic town centers. She discovered the opportunity through research and local connections.

Katelyn in Bratislava

“I heard about the High-Impact Experience Grant through my journalism advisor, Dr. Natascha Toft Roelsgaard, who has been an incredible support throughout this entire project,” said Katelyn. “The application process required a lot of detailed research and planning. I had to carefully budget for everything from airfare to housing to local transportation, and I also spent a lot of time refining the story I wanted to pursue. It wasn’t just about filling out a form; it was about really thinking through how this experience would work in practice and what I hoped to achieve. I put a lot of care and thought into the application because I knew this grant could be a crucial part of making the internship possible.”

For Alex, this summer has been about immersing himself in Japanese language and culture. He’s taking courses in Tokyo as part of his long-standing interest in Japan. Receiving the grant provided crucial financial support, helping him pursue his academic and career goals.

“The funding covered my plane tickets, and the rest will help with transportation to and from school and my host family,” he said.

“It’s important for students to have access to this funding because some people haven’t traveled outside the U.S., and it gives them a great opportunity to see another country and its culture,” Alex explained.

High-impact experiences don’t always require a passport. Sometimes, they’re found close to home. Caitlyn’s internship at Deerassic Park in Cambridge, Ohio, is giving her valuable, hands-on experience that aligns with her goal of becoming a science teacher. She’s a biology major with a minor in Integrated Science Education for grades 7–12.

Caitlyn Todd at Deerassic Park

“As a Deerassic Park educator, my role changes day to day. Some days, I’m out in the park during open hours, chatting with kids from all over—both local and visiting—sharing wild facts about nature and helping them discover how they can protect the world around them,” she explained. “Other days, I switch into camp counselor mode, where I guide students through hands-on experiences that teach more than just science.”

Students at Deerassic Park

The grant helped alleviate the financial stress of balancing daily expenses with the added cost of commuting to her internship.

“As a full-time college student living on my own for the first time, I juggle rent, utilities, and daily expenses while commuting to school and now to my internship,” said Caitlyn. “I took a pay cut for this position because it’s something I’m truly passionate about, and the High-Impact Experience Grant helped bridge that gap. It allowed me to afford the costs of transportation, rent, and other living expenses so I could fully focus on making the most of this experience.”

For Caitlyn, the internship has solidified her passion for education. She now feels more confident and excited about her future career as a science teacher.

For details about the High-Impact Experience Grant and how to apply, contact the Impact Center at impactcenter@muskingum.edu.

If you're interested in supporting the grant through a donation, please reach out to the Office of Advancement at advancement@muskingum.edu.

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