Achen, Warren et al - Improving the Graduate Student Experience thought Out-of-Class Experiences - GAUISUS - Scholarship on Teaching and Learning at Illinois State University

Improving the Graduate Student Experience through Out-of-Class Experiences

Rebecca M. Achen, Ph.D.
School of Kinesiology and Recreation • Illinois State University

Rebecca M. Achen, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of sport management in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation at Illinois State University. She graduated with her Ph.D. in sport management from the University of Kansas, where she also taught as a graduate teaching assistant. Prior to going back to school for her Ph.D., she worked in the education department at the National Center for Drug Free Sport. She has many years of work experience in higher education administration and sport marketing and sales. Her research focuses on the effectiveness of social media as relationship marketing tools in professional sport. She also conducts research on participant sport, sport sponsorship, and effective teaching.

Clint Warren, Ph.D.
School of Kinesiology and Recreation • Illinois State University

Clint Warren, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor and the Coordinator of graduate study in Sport Management in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation. He earned his PhD at the University of Minnesota, and he studies the structure and strategy of soccer in the United States. His past work has included papers examining topics such as supporter connection to clubs, match attendance, season ticket holder preferences, and other topics related to sport management strategy. His current work studies soccer governance and policy related to the United States Soccer Federation and Major League Soccer.

Amanda Fazzari
School of Kinesiology and Recreation • Illinois State University

Amanda Fazzari, Graduate Student, School of Kinesiology and Recreation
Sport Management Graduate Sequence

Hannah Jorich
School of Kinesiology and Recreation • Illinois State University

Hannah Jorich, Graduate Student, School of Biological Sciences
Sport Management Graduate Sequence

Ken Thorne
School of Kinesiology and Recreation • Illinois State University

Ken Thorne, Graduate Student, School of Biological Sciences
Sport Management Graduate Sequence

This study evaluated student experiences and learning outcomes related to the professional field trip, which is designed to encourage connection between students and improve professional skills. Twenty-two graduate students attended the trip to Milwaukee, WI, where they participated in a networking event with industry professionals, toured an arena and Marquette athletics, and attended a baseball game. The trip was evaluated using pre- and post-trip surveys, a focus group, and interviews with professionals that the students interacted with. Results suggested the trip met students’ expectations, improved their connection to their cohort, clarified their professional goals, and improved their networking skills.

Grant funding: This research was funded by the 2016-2017 SoTL University Research Grant.