Re-envisioning work-integrated learning during a pandemic: Cincinnati's experiential explorations program.

In response to COVID-19 the Division of Experience-based Learning and Career Education at the University of Cincinnati embraced flexibility and innovation to expand on the existing practice of facilitating cooperative education employment experiences for students to re-envisioned opportunities that considered student wellbeing as the paramount tenet. This process created opportunities for faculty-scholars, administrators, and students to work collaboratively considering new forms of work-integrated learning while maintaining the academic rigor of the founding program of cooperative education. This case study describes the broad offerings of WIL at the University of Cincinnati and outlines the process of re-contextualizing WIL responding to limitations dictated by a global health crisis. New curricular offerings within the Experiential Explorations Program including the Serve- IT initiative, virtual apprenticeship initiative, upskilling initiative and micro-co-op model are discussed. The authors comment on innovative forms of WIL born out of unprecedented circumstances and share recommendations for ways in which WIL educators can continue facilitating rich work-integrated learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]