Ingenuity in Action Sponsor Overview

• Students complete an application in the InAct Portal for either a pre-approved experience or to propose their own experiences.
• The application is approved by the faculty/staff sponsor.
• Student completes the experience and submits final reflection through the InAct Portal.
• Since the faculty/staff sponsor has agreed to sponsor the student, they will have full discretion to approve or deny a student's reflection. The Ingenuity in Action committee can advise but will not approve or deny any reflections.
• Once approved, the experience will be added to the student’s transcript.

• Students need to provide contact information for themselves, their sponsors, and their academic advisor. They will also provide the start and end dates of the experience.
• For experiences that are not pre-approved, students will also need to provide a project description and rationale addressing the following questions:
  • What will you be doing during your experience related to your category?
  • How does this experience fit into your personal, academic and/or career goals?
• Applications and reflections are both submitted through the InAct Portal.

Students should:

• Identify appropriate sponsors and request their sponsorship prior to submitting their application.
• Initiate and maintain communication with sponsors regularly over the course of the experience, keeping track of the hours (if needed) devoted to the project using the Ingenuity in Action Hours Log.
• Complete the reflection within two weeks of the experience end date.  

• Answer all reflection questions thoughtfully and completely.  If a reflective assignment has been required for the experience that addresses the stated questions, the student can attach this document to the reflection form rather than completing the questions separately.

Faculty and staff members will serve as sponsors for the student’s experience.

Sponsors should:

• Review and approve the student's proposal.  Experiences should meet the stated learning outcomes. Pre-approved experiences still need to be approved by the sponsor to ensure that sponsors are aware of the student’s plan and are willing to mentor this student. 
• Encourage thoughtful completion of a reflection. The reflection questions are asked in the reflection form, but you may direct your students to complete their reflection as a paper or other medium and upload the file to the InAct Portal. 
• Review and approve students' reflections, making sure they articulate what they have gained from the experience and how it has enriched their education.
• Approve the reflection through the email sent by the InAct Portal. If the reflection needs improvement, send back for revisions. Rubrics are provided in the section below.

• If you have any questions about a particular student experience, direct those to ingenuity_in_action@cornellcollege.edu:
• Complete this pre-approved activity proposal to get your course or activity on the pre-approved list.
• If you have students who want to pursue multiple activities as part of the Ingenuity in Action experience over the course of 12 months, they must keep track of their hours using this Hours Log. By signing off on a student's Hours Log you are acknowledging that they have completed the hour requirement of the category.
• Is your course on the pre-approved list? Add the Ingenuity in Action language in the attached documents to your course syllabus to allow for easy participation:
  • Common Ingenuity in Action syllabus
  • Students must complete the InAct application within the first 3 days of the course to count the pre-approved course for InAct transcription.
• When reviewing reflections, please use the rubrics provided:
  • Connections to Experience: Connects relevant experience and academic knowledge): Makes meaningful connections between experiences within the formal classroom and beyond. Shows evidence of a deepened understanding of one’s field of study and a broadened point of view. (Knowledge, Vocation)
    • 4 (Ample evidence)
    • 3 (Sufficient evidence)
    • 2 (Some evidence)
    • 1 (Little evidence)
    • 0 (no evidence)
  • >Reflection and Self-Assessment: Demonstration of a developing sense of self as a learner, building on prior experiences to respond to new and challenging contexts. Envisions a future self and makes plans that build on past experiences across diverse contexts (Knowledge, Vocation).
    • 4 (Ample evidence)
    • 3 (Sufficient evidence)
    • 2 (Some evidence)
    • 1 (Little evidence)
    • 0 (no evidence)
  • Communication: Recognizes the value of verbal and nonverbal communication and participates in efforts to improve communication skills (Communication).
    • 4 (Ample evidence
    • 3 (Sufficient evidence)
    • 2 (Some evidence)
    • 1 (Little evidence)
    • 0 (no evidence)

• Students will apply their knowledge and understanding through a variety of experiential opportunities. (Knowledge, Vocation)
• Students will articulate the content and value of their learning experiences through reflection. (Communication, Vocation)

In addition, each experiential learning activity will address one or more of the following Educational Priorities and Outcomes:

Reasoning - Students will evaluate evidence; interpret data; and use logical, mathematical, and statistical problem-solving tools. 

Intercultural Literacy - Students will connect with diverse ideas and with people whose experiences differ from their own and that may be separated from them by time, space, or culture.

Inquiry - Students will respond to the complexities of contemporary and enduring problems using information literacy tools, research skills, creative thinking, and analysis.

Ethical Behavior - Students will recognize personal, academic, and professional standards and act with integrity.

Citizenship - Students will collaborate with others and contribute to their communities and the larger world.

Well-being - Students will respect the ways physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual well-being may contribute to a balanced life.