Real world experience starts here.
The Mary Virginia Terry Center (The Terry Center) brings students, faculty, and community partners together through meaningful hands-on learning experiences. By serving as VSU's centralized hub for internships, undergraduate research, service learning, study abroad, and other forms of applied learning, YOU build real-world skills, strengthen relationships, and are prepared for lifelong success after graduation.
The Terry Center offers a three-tier progressive experiential learning program incorporating curricular and co-curricular opportunities:
- Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors
- Internship & Career-Connected Experiences
- Global Learning & Study Abroad
- Signature Experiential Learning Showcases
- Community-Engaged Learning and Partnerships
Student Experiential Learning Programs
Students who engage in applied learning experiences demonstrate higher retention rates, improved academic performance, and greater post-graduation success.
Experiential Learning Across the University
VSU's Trailblazing through Experiential Learning is a comprehensive offering of educational activities that align to VSU's 2030 Strategic Plan and the USG's 2029 Strategic Plan. Experiential learning guides students in the development of theory, skills, techniques, and/or practices in a context that focuses on application outside the traditional classroom. Students who complete experiential learning activities develop career-ready skills for the workplace and connect the experiential learning to their skill development through active reflection. VSU's three-tiered system tracks students as they complete increasingly more impactful experiences in quantity and quality. As VSU students progress from Ignite to Flame to Blaze, they will be guided by the Mary Virginia Terry Center for Experiential Learning in collaboration with designated faculty advisors and Student Affairs staff in aligning their experiential learning activities directly with their academic major and career plan.
Designate a Course as an EL Opportunity
VSU faculty members or department heads may submit requests for an Experiential Learning course designation. Approved courses will be designated each time they are offered and will be assigned one of three EL levels based on the number of engaged learning hours included. EL designations are separate from academic credit hours.
Community Learning Programs
Our community learning programs extend the Mary Virginia Terry Center's outreach beyond current VSU students.
Community Partnerships
Our community partners play a critical role in helping us achieve our goals here at the Mary Virginia Terry Center.
Experiential learning in action . . .
VSU Community Partnership on Affordable Housing
The Terry Center Team
Dr. Anne Price, Executive Director of the Terry Center; Chair of Blazer Summer Research Institute
Sue Bailey, Administrative Coordinator, Learning in Retirement and the Terry Center
Dr. David Starling, Director of Global Initiatives
Dr. Irina McClellan, Assistant Director of International Programs
Dr. Denise Reid, Chair, Student Research Council; Professor of Mathematics
Dr. Charles Talor, Co-Chair of Blazer Summer Research Institute; Professor of Psychology
The Mary Virginia Terry Center
- Current Location
University Center, Room 3103
1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta, GA 31601
The Center's permanent home will be Martin Hall once renovations and upgrades are completed there. - Mailing Address
1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta, GA 31698