Cases on Experiential Learning in Higher Education for Cultivating Leadership, Connection, and Community

Experiential learning transforms higher education, offering students opportunities to engage with real-world challenges, collaborative problem-solving, and reflective practice. Through internships, service-learning projects, study abroad programs, leadership initiatives, and community experiences, students develop essential skills that extend beyond traditional classroom instruction. Cases on experiential learning in higher education demonstrate how immersive educational practices foster leadership development, strengthen interpersonal connections, and cultivate a sense of community among learners. By examining successful implementations and outcomes, educators and institutions can better understand how experiential learning creates meaningful paths for personal growth, civic engagement, and professional development in an interconnected world. Cases on Experiential Learning in Higher Education for Cultivating Leadership, Connection, and Community explores how experiential learning in higher education develops leadership skills, builds meaningful relationships, and engages with communities. It examines case studies and educational practices that demonstrate the impact of hands-on, reflective, and collaborative learning experiences on student growth, social connection, and community engagement. This book covers topics such as peer-mentoring, community development, and instructional design, and is a useful resource for educators, sociologists, academicians, researchers, and scientists.

David W. Taylor is a Principal Lecturer who has championed enterprise education for 25 years. An Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs, David is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial and sustainability mindsets. His interests span topics such as owner-manager networks, green entrepreneurship, and enterprise education. David has contributed to the influential book Making Ecopreneurs: Developing Sustainable Entrepreneurship (2005, 2010), presenting frameworks for understanding green start-ups and developed and tested a typology of green entrepreneurs. In 2020, he won the Green Gowns Award for Enterprise for the submission ‘How entrepreneurship and sustainability combine to form the DNA of successful start-up businesses’ based on YE. David has supported 580 YE student start-ups with over 3000 students across UG and PG provision, 55% first-generation. David has delivered numerous entrepreneurship workshops across India in support of international recruitment.

Jonathan D Owens is a Senior Lecturer and the Young Enterprise and Placement Lead at the University of Salford Business School, where he integrates entrepreneurial learning into the curriculum through the Young Enterprise Start-Up Programme. With over 30 years of experience in service operations, supply chain management, and enterprise, he enables students to develop entrepreneurial skills by setting up and managing their own companies. His initiatives emphasise teamwork, decision-making, and business strategy, enhancing employability and real-world readiness. Jonathan's contributions have shaped award-winning programs and fostered student success on national and European levels, aligning with the strategic goals of higher education, being awarded a Young Enterprise ambassador in 2021 and 2025.

Gabrielle Round , BA (Hons), MSc, PGCAP, FHEA, PhD is a Lecturer in Enterprise and Sustainability at the University of Salford where she supports students in launching their own businesses, working closely with internal investors, growth hubs, and charities. Gabi completed her PhD at Leeds Beckett University, supported by the #WECAN network, focusing on solutions for gender disparity in SME succession processes in 2025. Gabi’s research interests span business topics with a feminist lens, emphasising gender equity. Passionate about environmental issues and animal rights, Gabi has added veganism, and eco-feminism to her research areas in recent years and plans to continue this trajectory.

Neil Greenley has helped pioneer experiential learning initiatives at the Hertfordshire Business School (HBS), where he collaborates with Young Enterprise to provide unique, hands-on business experiences for international MBA students. This partnership bridges academic theory and real-world practical application within a diverse, cross-cultural framework, enhancing employability and fostering entrepreneurship and innovation skills. Dr Greenley's approach is rooted in experiential and active learning, advancing students' global business perspectives and offering a progressive model for embedding experiential learning within higher education. His work aligns to promote teaching excellence and meaningful student engagement.

Caroline Hands is a lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Liverpool, where she serves as Employability Lead and Admissions Tutor. With a strong foundation in psychology, Caroline’s teaching and research focus on enhancing student wellbeing, employability, and career development. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she has extensive experience in educational research, data analysis, and academic advising. Caroline’s current research explores student transitions and well-being, aiming to improve outcomes in higher education. Her dedication to supporting students' personal and professional growth aligns with her commitment to impactful and student-centred teaching.