Showcase
The portfolios presented here reflect the experiences of UM undergraduates from a range of educational levels, backgrounds and disciplines. The Integrative Knowledge Portfolio Process encourages students to ask questions essential for leadership and lifelong learning:
- Who am I becoming?
- What am I learning?
- What knowledge, skills and strengths am I developing?
- What can I do?
- How will I make a difference?
The portfolio process helps students approach problems strategically and collaboratively. Students learn to:
- Connect knowledge gained from real-life experiences and from academic courses
- Reflect on learning that has occurred both within and beyond the classroom
- Develop the knowledge, skills and awareness needed for professional competence and leadership
- Connect learning with personal values, a sense of purpose and goals for the future
Student Portfolios:
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Trenten Rocha
"After completing two full semesters of research...I have only really made one large mistake. This mistake caused many hours of work to be wasted...I learned a valuable lesson about the importance of open communication...The mistake I made could have easily been resolved if I had just asked Professor Siedel about his directions.... this lesson will stay with me."
- excerpt from Undergraduate Research Program |
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Phong Van Nguyen
"I learned to problem solve on informal education issues, particularly discussing the main objectives of the project and the strategies of reaching a general audience. Now, I'm more conscious of what another person may know, which helps me understand how to best explain a concept to them. Pictures and demonstrations of the actual thing also facilitate the learning process...all of this requires creativity."
- excerpt from "Teaching Plant Evolution at the Matthaei Botanicals Gardens" |
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Alexander Turin
"I have always been a shy person, but shyness was detrimental to this program, so I forced myself to interact. To my pleasant surprise...I found myself enjoying the work more and more...I learned was that even small endeavors can result in dramatic changes, be they only for one person..."
- excerpt from "Inspiring Reading in Children" |
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Jessica Eiland
"From my work with elders in urban communities, I have learned how to utilize creative forms of expression…[to] initiate the kind of dialogue that brings people of different generations and cultures together. Creativity can be used as a powerful tool to connect people to their strengths, share stories of challenge and transformation, and build bridges of understanding and collaboration that transcend differences."
- excerpt from Personal Philosophy Statement |
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Anita Sadasivan
"I learned that it is possible to create change in the community. It takes patience, dedication, perseverance, time, and a lot of commitment. However, it has made me believe that I, or anyone, can do something to help the community if I believe in it and am willing to work for it."
- excerpt from "Creating a Children's Library" |
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Barbara Patterson
"When all of my friends were at the football games, I spent my Saturdays working, not knowing any better. I had made a commitment, though, and I saw it through to the end. Going to work on Saturdays was difficult and it challenged me but I learned about my work ethic and staying dedicated to my commitments."
- excerpt from "Lawyer's Club" |