Terrain V01 - Journal - Page 21
Sterling College | 19
However, Sterling is unique in the ways
it combines the liberal arts, experiential
and expeditionary education, and the
tenets of ecology to equip learners to
participate in deep and lasting life impact where nature is the measure.
“I regard it as the foremost task of education to ensure the survival of these
qualities: an enterprising curiosity, an
undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit,
readiness for sensible self denial, and
above all, compassion.” – Kurt Hahn
As most any alumnx or student will tell
you, a Sterling education is steeped in
“learning by doing,” whether it be a result
of three nights in a rudimentary shelter
on Winter Expedition, a Global Field Program semester spent in the Sierra wilderness, growing and harvesting vegetables for the Sterling CSA, the journey
down the Hudson River watershed from
the Adirondacks to New York City, or by
learning to work with a team of draft
horses to fell and move timber from the
College’s woodlot. From the start with A
Sense of Place, the intensive for all new
learners joining the Sterling community,
students are out of the classroom and
into the field. They are encouraged to reflect on and test the knowledge gained
through those experiences. In the process they are tested, make high-impact
decisions in real-world situations, gain
confidence and self-reliance, develop
new skills, and learn the value and importance of building and sustaining a
strong and supportive community.
In May 2019 we conducted a BA Alumnx
Survey which garnered a 75% response
rate and backs up our claims—and the
theories of Dewey and Hahn—that Sterling’s hands-on approach to learning
has critical value.
Sterling students and alumnx delight
themselves and others with skills in fermentation, fiber arts, and plant identification. When asked directly in the survey,
“Sterling’s commitment to learning
that is integrated with action [and]
experience is the most important.”
however, about the most valued skills
developed at Sterling they noted communication, work ethic, resourcefulness,
and critical thinking. Emerging from
long-form answers are attributes credited to Sterling that include accountability, self direction, leadership, resiliency,
flexibility, embracing the unpredictable,
self-confidence, authentic communication, and balance. And it turns out these
characteristics are exactly the attributes that effective colleges develop.
In the 2021 AAC&U Survey, employers
say that higher education should prepare students to think critically, work
effectively in teams, integrate ideas/
information across settings and context, demonstrate complex-problem
solving, apply that knowledge and
skills in real-world situations and contexts, engage in ethical reasoning and
judgement, and demonstrate civic skills
and civic engagement. Sterling BA
alumnx report they are prepared in all
these ways.
Sterling College is educating students
to meet the extreme challenges of today and tomorrow through liberal arts
philosophies and experiential and expeditionary methods that are as relevant and effective today as they were
when the school was founded in 1958,
thanks to a committed and passionate faculty and staff as well as the
support of our donors and community.
Together we bring together the values
and power of experiential education,
work, and community.
Dr. Lori Collins-Hall,
Interim President
Lori has spent twenty-five years in higher education as a scholar-practitioner,
engaging students in transformative
learning opportunities and high-impact community engagement, including community-based service-learning,
coalition building, and work-based education. Prior to her roles in administration, Lori was a tenured faculty member, department chair, and assessment
coordinator. As a Teagle Scholar she did
extensive work examining pedagogical
models of experiential learning and assessment, with particular attention to
small liberal arts schools.
“I have known Lori for many years during
her decades of service. Through her vast
range of experience as a faculty member,
vice president of academic affairs, and
chief operations officer she has a track
record of success through collaborative
leadership. Lori is deeply committed to
the College’s mission and is extremely
well prepared to lead Sterling, working
constructively with the board, senior
leadership team, faculty, staff, and students. Sterling is fortunate to have her
expertise.” offered Rick Detweiler, Sterling trustee and past-treasurer.
Photo: Will Freihofer