Immersive learning kindles transformation at Davis College

Tendrils of smoke lift into the expansive night as the fire crackles, serving as the beat for the flames’ dancing. Sometimes slow, sometimes languid, sometimes sharp, sometimes angered—but forever captive to nature’s motions. Students, too, find themselves caught between uncertainty and discovery, shaped by the forces around them. These moments of challenge, though isolating, are softened by the support of community, like smoke rising to meet the ebon sky. Through shared experiences, students uncover a sense of purpose and connection, finding warmth in their growth and the collective strength of others.

The Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources stands apart in its emphasis on hands-on learning, freeing students from the monotony of rubrics, grades and walls—both figurative and literal—that often confine traditional education. Better is a burden halved and a joy doubled in the hands of immersive learning. Whether strolling Capitol Hill in high heels or backpacking mountains blanketed in wildflowers, through unique courses and programs in the Davis College, students experience education that transcends the conventional. Navigating the complexities of agricultural issues with the Matador Institute of Leadership Engagement, or traversing Colorado’s rugged landscapes through Bridge Adventure, these programs do more than impart academic knowledge. They impact lives.

Lindsay Kennedy, Ph.D., assistant professor of practice in agricultural communications and program developer for various immersive-learning experiences in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, embodies the power of hands-on learning. Drawing on her decade of involvement with commodity organizations, Kennedy has developed impactful educational programs, each with a distinct purpose but often yielding similar outcomes.

Building Programs and Building Leaders

One such initiative, MILE, is a three-semester professional and leadership development program open to 14 students from various academic departments within the Davis College.

“The main purpose of the MILE Program is to expose students to key issues affecting local, state and national agriculture,” Kennedy said.

Through MILE, students engage in leadership and career-building activities, from networking with professionals to mastering résumé building, dining etiquette and public speaking—skills Kennedy said are vital for emerging agricultural leaders.

“All of this has a very defined purpose of hopefully creating career opportunities for these students,” Kennedy said.

As the program enters its fourth cohort, Kennedy said its success and growth can be attributed to strong support from key partners, including the college and the AEC department.

“The leadership of this university, this college, and this department have always been supportive of pushing the boundaries of what is possible,” Kennedy said, “and that is what makes us competitive.”

Scott Burris, Ph.D., department chair and professor within AEC, as well as co-leader for Bridge Adventure alongside Kennedy, said the more meaningful an experience is, the more a student can learn and comprehend the subject matter.

“I think that anything we can do to take learning from just the abstract classroom environment to a more authentic setting—to make it more real, more genuine—then the better the learning outcomes are for those who participate,” Burris said.

Industry supports this mentality by funding MILE through gifts and partnerships, which Kennedy said reflects the shared belief in the program’s value. After leading the program since its inception in 2018, Kennedy was named the Patti Peck Wood Endowed MILE Program Director in 2025 thanks to a $500,000 gift from the 1687 Foundation.

“The people who might be hiring these students are also investing in it,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy emphasized how the diverse mix of majors at Davis College creates a stronger, more cohesive team, with each student bringing unique insights from their field, similar to industry collaboration.

“They each come at them from a different perspective, and I think that goes to show the personal growth and maturity development that happens as a result of MILE,” Kennedy said.

For Kloe Walker, a 2024 agricultural communications graduate, MILE offered a chance to connect and gain confidence in her field.

“I was presenting myself as this ag communications major, but I didn’t know the first thing about the agricultural industry,” said Walker, who initially struggled with imposter syndrome due to her lack of an agricultural background.

Finding Community in Unprecedented Places

She said although it was the career preparedness and readiness aspects of the program that initially drew her in, her involvement in the third cohort led her to build lasting personal connections—sealed by the group’s final retreat, where they shared s’mores and sentiments of gratitude.

“We laughed, we cried, and we bonded because not only did we learn so much through those three semesters,” Walker said, “but we learned just as much from the people around us in the organization as we did on the industry tours.”

Kennedy, who was present for the heartfelt campfire conversation, described the moment as “the happiest cry” she had ever witnessed, as students shared words of encouragement and reflected on the lasting connections they formed. This moment highlighted the immense satisfaction Kennedy felt as the program director.

“It’s incredibly fulfilling,” Kennedy said. “It’s probably the most rewarding thing I’ve done in my career.”

Walker, now the director of philanthropy and engagement communications at East Texas A&M University, credits MILE for enhancing her ability to connect with colleagues.

“What I learned in the classroom is so applicable to getting things done and completing the tasks of my job, but these immersive-learning experiences have made me a better communicator with those I work with,” she said.

Cash Campbell, a third-year agricultural and applied economics major with an agricultural communications minor, said his participation in the fourth MILE cohort has been one of meaning.

“I think we’ve been exposed to a lot of great leaders who do things in special ways that we might not have seen without this program, getting us out of the echo chamber that school can sometimes be and into the real world,” Campbell said.

When you learn something with your hands, you’re also teaching your brain and your soul.

Cash Campbell

In addition to his involvement in MILE, Campbell pursued Bridge Adventure, a hands-on initiative led by Davis College faculty and open to all Texas Tech University students. As a member of its third cohort, he has experienced a unique blend of outdoor expeditions, mentored research and service learning. The program immerses students in leadership development, community service, career exploration and environmental stewardship.

“When you learn something with your hands, you’re also teaching your brain and your soul,” Campbell said. “So, I think these experiential-learning opportunities are a good way to learn to navigate the streets of Washington, D.C. or set up a tent—to do things that are just outside the scope of the normal college experience.”

Burris, who has a hand in various departmental programs, said although the experiences may seem vastly different, they both offer a chance to step outside the ordinary and into an authentic environment.

Beyond Four Walls

“To go on a field trip to D.C. for three or four days, wear a suit, carry a briefcase, and meet with legislators is probably not that different from going into the wilderness for three or four days, carrying a backpack, and encountering wildlife,” Burris said. “What they both have in common is there’s something way beyond what’s in your normal scope of a day.”

Kennedy, who works with Burris and other Davis College faculty to oversee Bridge Adventure, said selecting students for the program involves finding a balance.

“You want people that have a lot to gain from it, but also people who have a lot to give to it,” Kennedy said.

Carefully chosen for qualities like open-mindedness and supportiveness, participants foster a cohesive group experience. Their varying levels of outdoor expertise, as Kennedy and Burris said, shape group dynamics, influencing roles and learning outcomes.

Davis Mathews, a senior biology major and alumnus of the second Bridge Adventure cohort (2022-2024), said he did not apply to learn the basics of camping. Instead, he sought an opportunity to share his love for the outdoors and unexpectedly found himself in a mentoring role.

Although Mathews said he had mostly traversed the outdoors solo, he found fulfillment in guiding those who had not grown up immersed in nature.

“I have always loved sharing my passion for the outdoors with others,” Mathews said. “One of my favorite things in the world is helping people catch their first fish on a fly rod and seeing their childlike smile that I grew up wearing.”

Meanwhile, Burris admitted he was unsure what Mathews would gain from a program focused on outdoor exposure, as he was an advanced outdoorsman prior to joining.

For others, like third-year kinesiology major and second-cohort alumna MacKenzie Campos, the appeal was different. She applied to Bridge Adventure in hopes of stepping outside of her comfort zone.

“I didn’t really know how to set up a tent before that first Palo Duro trip,” Campos said. “I didn’t know anything about inflating the little sleep mattress or using a Jetboil to heat up food. I know that sounds silly, but I had never done any of that before.”

Campos said the program was like exposure therapy, equipping her with the confidence to recreate outdoors. The federally-funded program offers students this opportunity at no cost other than their time commitment.

“You learn really fast,” Campos said. “Before, I thought it was all so intimidating. I thought you had to know everything, like it was this complicated process. But once you learn it, it becomes second nature.”

While Bridge Adventure is designed to offer transformative growth opportunities outdoors, Burris reflected on a pivotal moment in Colorado’s Weminuche Wilderness when one student’s determination to finish the challenging route forced the group to reassess their path forward.

“We purposefully designed this trip with different levels of challenge,” Burris said. “We made it so not everyone had to take on the hardest path. There was a medium route, and even an easier one.”

After camping for two nights at 12,000 feet and hiking 14 miles into the wilderness, the group faced a crucial juncture. The next day’s hike posed a serious test—a 13-mile route that would cross the Continental Divide twice, reaching elevations of 12,500 feet. However, an alternative 5-mile path offered a quicker descent to the same destination.

“We reached a critical point where we had to make a decision,” Burris said.

On the third day, the group split. Some students chose the downhill path, while others chose the more challenging route. With the tough terrain ahead, he suggested one student head back down with the others to ensure her safety.

Undeterred, she opted for the more difficult route.

Negotiating with the student, Burris told her that if she reached a specific point on the trail, he would allow her to continue. The next day, Burris said, she reached that point, showing remarkable progress despite his initial concerns about her ability to handle the rigors of the route.   “When she got there, it was like, ‘I told you I would be here,’” Burris said.

She went on to complete the entire 13-mile route, and at the end of the day, Burris said his perspective was reshaped.

“I was thrilled beyond measure that she made it, and I was very emotional when she got to the end,” Burris said. “I was there cheering for her, and I gave her a big hug, and she looked at me and said, ‘Why are you emotional?’”

Reflecting on the moment, Burris said he recognized the difference in their perceptions of the experience.

“She was just happy to have accomplished one of the hardest things she had ever done,” Burris said, with glassy eyes. “She wasn’t worried about the parts I was worried about; all she saw was the satisfaction, accomplishment and reward for the effort she had put in.”

That student was none other than Campos.

Campos, too, reflected on the undertaking, acknowledging her own determination.

“I’m not going to be one of those people who backs down,” Campos said. “I wanted this experience. I wanted the pictures, the memories, the beauty of it. Because, honestly, none of the sights—well, except for that beautiful little flower field we passed on the second day—compared to what I saw on that 13-mile day. I never would’ve truly known what it was like unless I saw other people’s pictures. But now, I can look at it in my mind, not through a phone screen.”

As Burris and Mathews encouraged the backpackers toward the final stretch, another story came full circle. It became clear the true reward for Mathews was the connection he experienced with others in the great outdoors.

“I had given MacKenzie a hug,” Burris said. “They [other participants] went and sat down where the group was with a little fire going. I was watching the next group come up when Davis came up to me and said, ‘Thank you for letting me be a part of this.’ It was the community, the camaraderie, the friendship—that was so meaningful to him. He had done all those things 100 times by himself, but he had never felt what it was like to share that with people.”

A burden halved and a joy doubled, indeed.

Seeing is Believing

Like Burris, Kennedy expressed hope for the organization to continue building community among students, fostering relationships that could inspire future generations to share these experiences.

“A whole new generation of students might carry that on to their friend groups or their families, and that can be life-changing,” Kennedy said.

In addition to exposing students to new perspectives and career opportunities, she said immersive programs like Bridge Adventure and MILE instill confidence, as students step out of their usual environment and experience things in a more meaningful way.

“These types of experiences, they stick with students because they put them in those environments where seeing is believing,” Kennedy said. “They can touch it, feel it, see it.”

The Davis College’s immersive programs drive personal growth, career readiness, and a sense of community, offering students the chance to break free from traditional classrooms and engage in real-world experiences. Whether through leadership development in MILE or outdoor exploration in Bridge Adventure, students are finding new paths to success, forging lasting relationships along the way. Through these experiences, they realize learning and growth extend far beyond the classroom.