Christopher Joseph Westgate, Ph.D. is a media scholar whose research program includes Latine media, popular music, and social identities. His articles have been published in the International Journal of Communication; Popular Music & Society; Media, Culture & Society; and elsewhere. Westgate is a Media & Communication Studies professor and program co-director at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. He has more than a decade of experience in the radio industry. Westgate also sits on the board of the Rhode Island Black Film Festival and Rhode Island Humanities.
Dr. Sheri Young, Assistant Provost of Experiential Education & Industry Relations at Johnson & Wales University (JWU), leads initiatives that align academic programs with career services and foster industry partnerships. Her work focuses on integrating experiential learning to bridge theory and practice, ensuring students are prepared for workforce demands. With over 30 years at JWU, including roles as Dean of Experiential Education & Career Services, Dr. Young continues to shape the university’s career readiness programs. Her global experience, gained through student recruitment work in Europe and the Mediterranean, informs her broad perspective on diversity in education. In addition to her administrative duties, Dr. Young teaches at JWU’s College of Professional Studies, offering courses in research, team dynamics, and organizational behavior. She holds a Doctorate of Education from Northeastern University.
The Secret Sauce of Experiential Learning: Fun, Innovation, and Remarkable Results
Ready for a masterclass in scaling experiential learning? Meet Christopher Westgate, PhD, and Sheri Young, PhD and Assistant Provost of Experiential Education & Industry Relations at Johnson & Wales University who are transforming education across six schools, three campuses, including online—with remarkable results.
Warning: Their enthusiasm is contagious! This dynamic duo shows how making learning fun can lead to serious outcomes:
Higher engagement & attendance
Better completion rates
Improved retention
Stronger persistence
Rising grades
What’s their secret? They “unwrap” learning like a gift, making the process explicit and engaging for both faculty and students. By creating an entrepreneurial space where educators become learners themselves, they’ve sparked an organic movement of continuous innovation.
The results speak for themselves—but the journey there is what makes this episode special. Between Chris and Sheri’s lighthearted approach and their EL talents, this conversation will remind you why you fell in love with education in the first place.
Don’t miss this uplifting look at how experiential learning can transform an entire university community. Fair warning: You’ll find yourself smiling throughout—and probably wishing you worked there too!
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