UWG Student Presents Key Research Highlighting Importance of Hands-On Learning Share this page
At the University of West Georgia, applying classroom concepts to real-world scenarios is a vital component of a student’s success.
Kayla Henderson ’22 is no stranger to this fact. As a UWG alumna and a current M.S. in Digital and Social Media Communication student, she’s blazed a trail for other students by researching experiential learning in creative ways that have earned her noteworthy recognition.
“My research for ‘Examining the Impact and Growth of Student-Led Experiential Programs’ won ‘Best Poster Presentation’ at the Southern States Communication Association (SSCA) conference,” said Henderson. “This was an incredible achievement, having been among so many esteemed professionals from across the country.”
Earning her undergraduate degree from UWG in journalism in 2022, Henderson expressed gratitude for her first experience in hands-on learning that makes UWG’s programming so impactful, which was serving as the editor-in-chief for student-run online news outlet, The West Georgian. Currently studying for her master’s degree, Henderson now serves as the graduate assistant for bluestone, UWG’s student-run public relations firm.
“Through bluestone, I see the ways in which students grow from the first day of class to landing their first real jobs in their field,” said Henderson. “Experiential learning goes beyond what coursework can do.”
Although she initially was uncertain of what to expect when she began conference submissions, she quickly adapted and learned how to apply her classroom knowledge to real-world practices. But Henderson still had no idea that her research would lead to earning an award for her submission during the SSCA conference.
“I'm always encouraging students to submit abstracts and proposals for research when opportunities arise,” said Taylor Bryant, clinical associate professor in the School of Communication, Film and Media (SCFM). “Kayla has been vital in leading that charge because she understands research. She’s able to help our students in bluestone see the work that they're doing and approach that work from a research perspective.”
Having the unique opportunity to work with real professional clients during her time in bluestone, Henderson can apply her knowledge of creating high quality strategic communication plans, websites, marketing material and even event planning for the clients she serves.
“I love having those moments of working on a piece for a client and saying, ‘I learned this in my class,’” said Henderson. “Being able to fully implement what we are learning in class, to the professional world, from theory to media law and digital storytelling. I am constantly applying these skills to everything.”
“Experiential learning is important because it’s the key component to preparing students before they enter their career fields,” stated Bryant. “It's an opportunity for them to see where their strengths and weaknesses are and expose them to soft skills that you wouldn't normally get in the standard classroom setting.”
As a first-generation college student who is now continuing on as the first to earn her master’s degree, Henderson is grateful she chose UWG and that she was chosen to lead bluestone in her current position. With limited initial PR knowledge, Henderson now attributes much of her PR success and skills gained to her hands-on learning experiences in bluestone and to her SCFM professors and leaders who continue to cheer her on.
“There is no reason I would have ever thought I could collect, interpret and present my own research, nor that it would be something I would love doing,” said Henderson. “I look at the presentations I have created, the relationships I have forged and my giant research poster, and I am so proud that what I do and have done is continually making a positive impact for bluestone.”
To learn more about programs in UWG’s School of Communication, Film and Media, visit the school’s website.