Mimi Benjamin, professor in the Student Affairs in Higher Education Department, participated in the final year of a three-year research seminar at Elon University June 25–30. 2023.
The seminar began with a conference, and Benjamin presented “(Re)Examining Conditions for Meaningful Learning Experiences: An Exploration of the Role of Peer Learning” with Claire Hamshire (Salford University, UK) and Alan Soong Swee Kit. She also presented “Living Learning Communities in Practice” with Jody Jessup-Anger (Marquette University) and Karen Kurotsuchi Inkelas (University of Virginia), and “The Impact of a Residential Learning Community on Sense of Competence and Student Well-Being” with Cara Lucia (Elon University), Shaina Dobbs (Elon University), and Mark Cryan (Elon University). In addition, Benjamin, Hamshire, and Kit presented a poster on “Creating Trust Through Peer Supports/Peer Mentoring.”
The Elon University Center for Engaged Learning facilitates multi-institutional research on engaged learning topics with selected participants from institutions around the world. Each seminar has a specific theme and is a three-year commitment that includes a week on the Elon University campus, working in collaboration with colleagues from other institutions. Benjamin was part of the 2020–23 seminar on “(Re)Engaging Conditions for Meaningful Learning,” and her research team focused on peer relationships, with specific emphasis on peer mentoring.
For more information about the Center for Engaged Learning Research Seminars, visit the website.