Walsh University has appointed Rachel Hosler to the newly created position of Assistant Dean of Experiential Learning, effective July 1. Hosler has served as Walsh’s Director of Global Learning since 2012 and brings more than 12 years of professional experience to this position. In her new role, Hosler will supervise Walsh University’s Career Center, Service Learning programs and Global Learning opportunities.
"With the creation of this new position, we are designing an administrative structure that best represents our overall values as a University. These values include an international perspective and our mission to develop leaders in service to others," said Vice President for Academic Affairs Douglas Palmer, Ph.D. "But we also recognize that in this economy, our students will need to develop career skills in leadership and problem-solving to remain competitive in a global community. With Rachel’s extensive knowledge and involvement in experiential learning program development, she will oversee the administrative team in the areas of internships, service learning and global learning to ensure we are working closely together to strengthen existing programs while developing new opportunities that will benefit our students."
As Director of Global Learning, Hosler oversaw the planning and execution of Walsh’s Global Learning programs around the world. Under her leadership, the Office of Global Learning added 20 new programs and doubled the number of Walsh students studying abroad each year in more than 13 countries.
"The Experiential Learning Office will create opportunities for students to extend their knowledge and apply skills outside the classroom to better prepare them for a 21st century workforce," said Hosler. "These programs are recognized as 'high impact’ areas because they embed work experiences into the curriculum through internships, practicum experiences, field work, research, service learning and global trips. Since our founding, Walsh has consistently promoted these types of experiences for our students, but never under one administrative office. We are now coordinating these efforts for a more strategic alignment of resources and mission that will not only benefit our students, but also our local communities through a prepared and highly-skilled workforce."
Hosler earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education in 2004, and her Master of Arts degree in Counseling & Human Development in 2009, both from Walsh University.
After working for the Jefferson County School District in Louisville, Kentucky, she returned to the Walsh community in 2006 as Associate Director of Residence Life. In 2012, Hosler was hired as the Director of Global Learning, where she oversaw the education abroad programs for the University, supervised risk and crisis management for international programs and led program development for the global learning office. Rachel has served as a regional leader with the NAFSA: Association of International Educators for three years and was honored as the 2012 Terrance Portis Mentor of the Year at Walsh University.