What Is a Trailblazer?

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.

Experiential Learning
noun
An educational approach in which students acquire knowledge and skills through direct, hands-on experience followed by critical reflection. Often summarized as "learning by doing," it bridges the gap between abstract academic theory and practical, real-world application.

For Students

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.