Experiential learning has been one of the most influential encounters I have had throughout my life. It has clearly defined my future goals and my intended career. I was similar to most children in that my intended career changed frequently. I at first wanted to be a pilot, like my grandfather, and then it became a lawyer. When I was a young eighth grade student at Bishop Kelly Catholic School I was given the chance to shadow the only woman district prosecutor of my small state county of Lapeer, Michigan. This is where I decided that law was for me, but the best thing about that experience was that I figured out that I definitely did not want to do criminal or civil law. It was not until my freshman year at Loyola where I figured out that I wanted to become an International Lawyer. Due to my work in student development and higher education I have gained new experiences as well as career goals in higher education.

The Center for Experiential Learning mission, we seek the following:

1) To implement the mission of Loyola University Chicago by "expanding knowledge in the service of humanity" through experiential learning opportunities, engaging students, faculty, staff, and community partners;

2) To collaborate with community agencies to develop partnerships, to build capacity, and to respond to community-defined priorities through shared opportunities of experiential learning;

3) To empower Loyola students to avail themselves of, and critically reflect on, experiential learning through cultivating pre-professional skills, exploring career and life purpose, and fostering self-efficacy;

4) To support faculty in creating and actualizing experiential learning opportunities and to promote the scholarship of engagement across the university;

In order to support the ongoing development of Loyola University Chicago as an outstanding undergraduate institution for learning and to become a model of experiential learning among higher education institutions.