img
|

Embracing the Future of Applied Learning: How SUNY Potsdam is Setting the Standard

author profile
Written by Jordan Levy

In today’s fast-evolving job market, universities must go beyond traditional education models to prepare students for the workforce. The SUNY Applied Learning Framework is a shining example of how institutions can integrate hands-on learning into degree programs, offering students real-world experiences that align with their career aspirations.

 

At CapSource, we’ve been proud partners of SUNY Potsdam for over eight years, providing tools to streamline, scale, and enhance their applied learning initiatives. By leveraging our project-based learning, mentoring, and case-based learning solutions, SUNY Potsdam is setting a benchmark for experiential education—one that other institutions can learn from and adopt.

What is Applied Learning? SUNY’s Progressive Approach

 

Applied learning bridges the gap between academic knowledge and practical experience, enabling students to engage with real-world challenges, gain industry exposure, and develop professional competencies before graduation.

 

SUNY defines applied learning through multiple categories, all of which CapSource’s platform is designed to support and scale efficiently.

 

Key Applied Learning Categories at SUNY Potsdam:

 

  • Internships & Co-ops: Real-world, structured work experiences that align with academic programs.
  • Service Learning: Community-based projects that integrate civic engagement.
  • Practicums & Live Cases: Hands-on industry collaborations that enhance student learning.
  • Student Research & Creative Projects: Inquiry-based projects advancing knowledge in a field.
  • Entrepreneurial & Consulting Projects: Business-oriented projects that foster innovation and critical thinking.

 

Through CapSource’s platform, SUNY Potsdam is able to track, manage, and scale these experiential learning initiatives, ensuring students gain valuable, resume-worthy experiences.

Showcasing SUNY Potsdam’s Applied Learning in Action

 

At SUNY Potsdam, students in business and arts programs actively engage with real industry partners through practicum projects, which CapSource refers to as Live Cases. These hands-on experiences allow students to collaborate with organizations, solve real-world problems, and develop essential workplace skills.

 

Here’s a snapshot of some of the exciting experiential learning projects completed at SUNY Potsdam:

 

Course

Project Title

Industry Partner

Key Learning Outcome

Graphic Design & Media Arts II (Spring 2022)  

Brand Video Development for Stocked by ReserveBar

 

ReserveBar Marketing & Content Strategy
Human Resource Management (Fall 2024)  

Develop a Comprehensive Onboarding Process for NeoCorp

 

Neocorp HR Strategy & Employee Onboarding
Principles of Leadership (Fall 2022)  

Creating a Platform for Trainers, Coaches, and Global Companies to Share Best Practices for Leadership Development

 

Westwood International Product Development & Leadership
Graphic Design & Media Arts II (Fall 2021)  

Create Media Assets for Crème Savers Relaunch

 

Iconic Candy Branding & Graphic Design
Operations Management (Fall 2021)  

Alternative Supply Chain Strategies for a Multinational Corporation

 

Hioki Corporation Global Supply Chain & Logistics
Human Resource Management (Spring 2022)  

Optimizing Leadership Development & Curriculum for the Global Good Fund Fellowship

 

The Global Good Fund HR Research & Policy Innovation
Information Systems for Business (Spring 2022)  

Designing an Engaging & Effective Retail Training Program for True Religion Brand Jeans

 

True Religon Training & Employee Engagement
Team Building (Spring 2023)  

Teamwork in the Classroom Setting

 

Clymb Leadership & Program Development

 

 

Each of these Live Cases has provided students with real-world problem-solving opportunities, allowing them to collaborate with organizations, apply their classroom knowledge, and build their professional portfolios.

 

👉 Explore SUNY Potsdam’s profile on CapSource to learn more about their past projects and upcoming opportunities: SUNY Potsdam on CapSource.

How CapSource Helps Institutions Scale Applied Learning

 

While SUNY Potsdam is a trailblazer in integrating applied learning into its curriculum, many institutions struggle to effectively manage and scale these initiatives. That’s where CapSource steps in.

 

Our Project-Based Learning tool provides:

 

Seamless Project Management – Institutions can onboard industry partners, define project scopes, and match students with opportunities.
Real-Time Tracking & Evaluation – Faculty and industry mentors can monitor student progress and provide feedback.
Scalable & Consistent Workflows – Schools can streamline their applied learning programs across departments, ensuring quality and efficiency.
Collaboration & Resource Sharing – Discussion boards, file-sharing tools, and structured milestones enable meaningful engagement.

 

🔗 Explore how CapSource’s Project-Based Learning tool powers applied learning: CapSource Project-Based Learning.

Beyond Live Cases: Expanding Applied Learning Through CapSource

 

At CapSource, we don’t just facilitate Live Cases—we offer a suite of experiential learning tools that further enhance and diversify academic programs.

 

Mentorship Programs

 

💡 Connect students with industry professionals through guided mentorship experiences for resume reviews, career guidance, and industry insights.
💡 Structured mentoring engagements designed for long-term learning.

 

Case-Based Learning

 

📖 Turn past projects into structured case studies, allowing faculty to repurpose real-world challenges for classroom discussions.
📖 Foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills using archived industry scenarios.

 

 

By integrating these additional experiential learning opportunities, SUNY Potsdam and other institutions can provide students with a well-rounded, hands-on education that truly prepares them for the workforce.

What Other Schools Can Learn from SUNY Potsdam

 

The SUNY Applied Learning Framework provides a scalable model for institutions looking to integrate real-world experiences into their curriculum. Key takeaways for other schools include:

 

🎯 Offering diverse applied learning opportunities—from research projects to entrepreneurial initiatives.
🎯 Leveraging technology to streamline, track, and manage experiential learning efficiently.
🎯 Partnering with industry to enhance student engagement and career readiness.
🎯 Ensuring scalability and accessibility so that students from all disciplines can participate.

 

At CapSource, we are dedicated to helping institutions replicate and scale this success, ensuring that applied learning is accessible, impactful, and career-enhancing for all students.

Join the Applied Learning Revolution

 

SUNY Potsdam’s commitment to applied learning is setting a high standard for workforce-ready education. Through our ongoing partnership, we continue to help them streamline and scale their experiential learning initiatives.

 

If you’re an educator, program director, or university administrator looking to enhance your applied learning programs, we invite you to explore how CapSource can support your efforts.

 

🔗 Learn More About CapSource & Applied Learning: CapSource.io

🚀 Let’s build the future of education—one real-world project at a time!