The Division of Student Affairs — in collaboration with the Center for Digital Innovation in Learning (CDIL) and the University Council on Teaching (UCT) — is excited to announce the Integrative Learning Faculty Grant, a new initiative designed to recognize and support faculty members who are interested in fostering integrative learning in their classrooms.

Please review the information below to learn more about the grant and how to apply.

For questions or further information, please contact:

• Rachel Greenberg, Director, Career Center, r.greenberg@bc.edu 
• John FitzGibbon, Associate Director, Digital Learning Innovation, fitzgijc@bc.edu

What is Integrative Learning?

Students bring their whole selves to the classroom. In turn, an integrative approach to learning supports their intellectual, social, and spiritual dimensions as described in The Journey into Adulthood. 

We define integrative learning as the ability for students to make connections between their

• Different classes
• Present and future lives outside the classroom
• Personal values and what the world calls them to be

In the BC context, integrative learning is a way to bring “the three questions” that Boston College frequently uses to frame formation into students’ academic lives.

1. What brings me joy?
2. What am I good at?
3. Who does the world need me to be?

This grant recognizes and supports faculty interested in designing classroom experiences that are formative in the way that they integrate classroom learning and individual reflection to support student formation and readiness for the future.

Grant Overview & Support

The Integrative Learning Faculty Grant is open to all faculty members across all disciplines, particularly those whose courses may not traditionally focus on career readiness and student formation. This award aims to inspire innovative approaches to integrating these concepts into a wide range of academic fields. We also encourage projects with multiple faculty members, either within the same discipline or across disciplines. Each project that is selected will receive a $2000 grant. 

With dedicated support from the Career Center and the Center for Digital Innovation in Learning (CDIL), grant recipients will engage in a development period to advance their project from initial idea to implementation. The Career Center will assist in aligning course content with career readiness objectives, while the Center for Digital Innovation in Learning will provide guidance on incorporating digital tools and innovative teaching methods. 

The project should be implemented in one or more courses during the semester immediately following receipt of the grant.

Grant Criteria

Applications should demonstrate a thoughtful and innovative approach to integrating the following elements into one or more courses. Successful applicants will receive hands-on support from the Career Center and CDIL in applying these elements to their teaching practice. 

1. Integrative Learning: We seek proposals that clearly articulate how integrative learning will be incorporated into the course. This includes making interdisciplinary connections and applying course concepts to real-world situations. The Career Center – CDIL Integrative Learning faculty working group has many examples of what this can look like in practice at BC.
2. Career Readiness: Proposals should identify how the course will equip students with the core career readiness competencies and knowledge necessary for their future lives and careers. We are looking for specific learning activities or assignments that foster career readiness through integrative learning.
3. Reflection: Applicants should outline how reflective activities or assignments will be used in the course to help students internalize and apply what they have learned. 
4. Effective Learning Design:  Proposals should demonstrate a cohesive approach to course development. The overall learning design should seamlessly integrate the elements of integrative learning, career readiness, and reflection.

Additional consideration will be given to those who are collaborating within or across departments. If you are collaborating, please indicate with whom in your project proposal. 

Application Process & Timeline 

Interested faculty members are invited to apply for the award by application form. Applications will be reviewed by the University Council on Teaching (UCT), which is made up of faculty members from across the university. A representative from the Career Center and CDIL will be present for the application reviews to ensure alignment with the grant criteria.

Timeline:

• June 2025: Application Opens
• August 17, 2025: Application Deadline
• Mid-September: Recipients are notified
• October-December 2025: Recipients work with CDIL and the Career Center
• Spring 2026: Recipients implement their project in one or more courses