DURANGO, Colo.— Whether planting trees that will live for generations, practicing self-defense with an Indigenous MMA fighter, or learning to climb while in sacred Indigenous lands, Fort Lewis College students are discovering how hands-on and community-engaged learning can shape their academic and professional futures—thanks to the EXCEL program.
EXCEL—Experiential and Community-Engaged Learning—was launched two years ago to support a wide range of course-based projects, providing funding and resources for faculty to design real-world, community-connected learning experiences that align with their course objectives. Since its inception in Spring 2023, EXCEL has funded 84 courses across 24 departments, reaching more than 2,000 students.
For 麻豆免费高清无砖码区Maddie Adams, a Public Health major graduating in December 2025, her virtual project in Uganda helped her determine what will be next in her career.
“This virtual project helped me realize that this is the path I want to take in my career,” said Adams, who after her upcoming graduation in December will pursue a master’s degree in public health. “EXCEL made that possible.”
With support from the Provost’s Office and an unrestricted donation to the 麻豆免费高清无砖码区Foundation, professors Deb Powers and Rebecca Clausen launched the program focused one of FLC’s core strengths: hands-on, community-centered learning in a rural setting.
“We knew our students needed more than lectures—they needed to see the theory in practice,” Powers said. “EXCEL gives faculty the support and resources to make that happen.”
Deanne Grant, who teaches in Native American and Indigenous Studies and Sociology, partnered with Din茅 MMA fighter Nicco Monta帽o to lead a self-defense workshop for her “Indigenous Women” course.
“Being able to integrate that kind of embodied learning—something physical and empowering—brought our coursework to life,” Grant said. “You can see it on their faces when they’re out there, smiling bigger than I’ve ever seen in the classroom.”
The course, which focuses on the high rates of violence against Native women, connects gender-based violence prevention with cultural empowerment, offering students both practical skills and critical context.
In the School of Education, Senior Lecturer Liz Cartwright’s students in Foundations of Teaching are gaining real-world insights into the teaching profession thanks to EXCEL funding. Each student completes 15 hours of guided school visits and an additional 15 hours of independent observation at a school of their choice.
The guided field studies expose students to a range of educational models and teaching philosophies—beginning with visits to Durango School District schools, Durango Montessori, Mountain Middle School, and Animas High School. Students then expand their experience by visiting rural and culturally diverse schools, including the Ignacio School District and Navajo Preparatory School.
“These site visits provide students with rare opportunities to observe classrooms in action, engage with school leaders, and reflect on the kind of educator they want to become,” Cartwright said. “We are deeply grateful to the EXCEL Grant for making these meaningful learning experiences possible.”
Consciously enjoying the outdoors
As part of the Indigenous Sovereignty, Public Lands, and Outdoor Adventure class, Ryan Rhadigan's students learned how to climb and to do so respectfully in public spaces. The class also discussed climbing in sacred areas before an EXCEL-funded field trip to a climbing gym. For many, this was the first opportunity to take part in such an activity.
“I feel like learning that before made me think of how climbing can be used as a vessel for stewardship and respect, as long as the climbing community is aware of their impacts and what areas are sacred to Indigenous cultures. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to climb and develop our skills outside the classroom,” said participant Tyrell DeClay.
“This field trip helped grow my connection with the space we were in,” added another student. “At first the walls were very intimidating, but once I got on them, most of my fears went out the window. I feel like this also grew my trust with my peers. They were all very supportive and helped make me feel comfortable.”
From the soil to self-discovery
Mike Wagner, faculty in Adventure Education and Teacher Education, said EXCEL has catalyzed deeper engagement in his popular “Spirit of Adventure” course.
“This program opened the door for students who wouldn’t normally sign up for an Adventure Education course,” Wagner said. “We’re planting seeds—literally and metaphorically.”
In collaboration with the Soil Lab at Riverview Elementary, students contributed 90 hours of community service by planting gardens. The course also included planting legacy trees on campus—living symbols of environmental stewardship and intergenerational responsibility.
Student Davis Eichelberger, a nontraditional student from Hawaii, said EXCEL helped him feel connected to the 麻豆免费高清无砖码区community for the first time.
“Giving back to the community is how you build belonging,” he said. “These projects helped me feel like I belong here.”
Agreeing was Gail Marcum, who shared that she considered dropping out before finding purpose through EXCEL courses.
“I didn’t think college was for me, but EXCEL made me feel seen. I enrolled in Adventure Ed and worked on community projects. I stayed because of that.”
Expanding worldviews
Through EXCEL, courses are also reaching beyond Durango. In Douglas Ober’s history class, “Identity and Politics in Modern Asia,” students engaged in global conversations with public intellectuals, filmmakers, and activists from Tibet, India, Xinjiang, and the U.S.
A highlight included a private screening of Chaityabhoomi, a film by renowned Dalit filmmaker Somnath Waghmare, and a discussion with the Kazakh founder of the Xinjiang Documentation Project.
“These experiences pushed students to question how identities form and how they drive political movements,” Ober said. “And more importantly, they saw what those discussions look like in the real world.”
Measurable impact
Data collected from over 633 student reflections and analysis conducted through institutional research shows that students in EXCEL-funded courses not only feel more engaged but also achieve higher grades and are less likely to withdraw. In many cases, EXCEL experiences led students to discover new career paths, clarify goals, and develop a sense of purpose.
“Our analysis shows real academic and emotional impact,” said Clausen, the co-coordinator of the program. “It’s the kind of education that lasts long after graduation.”
Thanks to an $80,000 gift from philanthropist Marcey Olajos, additional recent donors, and continued support from Provost Mario Martinez, EXCEL will expand its offerings with a focus on environmental leadership projects. But demand already exceeds available funding, and organizers hope to establish permanent, sustainable funding in the future.
“This isn’t a side program—it’s central to how we want to educate at FLC,” Clausen added. “And it’s how we’ll continue to grow as a national model for rural higher education.”