Whitman School Launches Experiential Center to Unite Signature Programs

The Martin J. Whitman School of Management officially launched the Whitman Experiential Center this week, marking a major milestone in the school’s Transformation 2030 strategic plan and its commitment to preparing students through hands-on, relevant and applied learning.

The Experiential Center brings together the high-impact programs that define a Whitman education. Global immersions, case competitions, study away programs, class projects with companies, the Goodman IMPRESS professional development program and the Orange Business Angel Network are now aligned under one coordinated team and office.

As a central hub, the Experiential Center also works in close partnership with Whitman’s centers and institutes to expand access to high-quality experiential learning across all programs and levels.

The Experiential Center is built around four pillars that reflect what it means to be a Whitman student: Be Global, Be Innovative, Be Collaborative and Be Prepared. Together, these pillars ensure that every student, regardless of major or background, has access to experiences that extend far beyond the classroom.

“What we’re launching is not simply a new program or office,” says Whitman Interim Dean Alex McKelvie. “This is a defining commitment to the culture of Whitman and how we prepare students. Experiential learning is central to how we develop the skills, judgment and perspective our students need to lead. It is Transformation 2030 in action.”

Transformation 2030 is Whitman’s five-year strategic plan to elevate the school into the Top 25 undergraduate business programs rankings by 2030. Experiential learning sits at the center of that vision and constitutes a major area of investment. Experiential education is not an added feature of the student experience—it’s an essential centerpiece of how students learn to apply and practice their skills in realistic and meaningful settings at Whitman.

Director of the Experiential Center Erin Draper, who led the development of the center, says the four-pillar framework is designed to create a progression of experiences throughout a student’s time at Whitman.

“A student might begin with our first-year experiential AI course and use virtual reality in their sophomore management course to develop communication skills. From there, they might attend an immersion program in a major U.S. or global market, compete in a national case competition, work on a semester-long consulting project for a company, and later conduct due diligence on a new venture through the Orange Business Angel Network,” Draper says. “Each of those experiences builds on the last. Students aren’t just collecting experiences. They are building a track record of excellence and relevance.”

Whitman’s alumni and employer network plays a critical role in bringing these opportunities to life. Industry partners and alumni mentors help shape projects, coach student teams and open doors to new possibilities. As a result, students leave these experiences with more than skills. They leave with relationships, including mentors, collaborators and champions invested in their success.

To learn more about the Whitman Experiential Center and its programs, visit the Experiential Programs webpage or email whitexp@syr.edu.