Theory Meets Practice: How Laurentian’s Faculty of Arts Is Redefining Experiential Learning for Remote and In-Person Learners

Press Release

June 12, 2026 – The Faculty of Arts at Laurentian University is proving that the distance between a classroom and a career is shorter than ever. Through the evolution of the School of Social Sciences’  “Community Placement” course (SOCI-4195EL), students are not just studying society—they are actively shaping it.

Originally developed to mirror a long-standing French-language counterpart, the English version of the six-credit practicum course was championed by Dr. Leslie Nichols, Assistant Professor, following her arrival at Laurentian University three years ago. In the single year since its launch, the course has become a prime example of how the Faculty of Arts is evolving to meet the needs of modern, diverse, and remote learners.

“Not everyone learns best in a traditional classroom setting,” says Dr. Nichols. “We realized we had a significant population of students—many of them first-generation or remote learners—who needed flexibility. This is a course that allows them to apply their academic theories to real-world practices that can lead to immediate career opportunities.”

The impact is visible in the diverse success stories of recent participants:

Sophia Lisi (Sudbury, Ontario)

Completing her placement with the Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre and the City of Greater Sudbury, Sophia completed over 110 hours of hands-on work. She spearheaded an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) asset-mapping project, contacting over 50 local organizations—before expanding her research to 13 other Ontario municipalities and universities. Additionally, Sophia facilitated discussions for the Planet Youth Icelandic Prevention Model coalition and drafted the job description for a regional Indigenous Outreach worker.

“The biggest takeaway for me was learning how to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world application,” Lisi explains. “I transitioned from viewing tasks as mere administrative duties to understanding them as sociological interventions that directly impact community development. The experience allowed me to evolve from a student into an active participant in the social development sector.”

Chelsea Tawse (Medicine Hat, Alberta)

A remote learner and mature student, Chelsea completed her placement at the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society, where she already volunteered weekly. Her responsibilities crossed multiple departments, including supporting the intake office, administration team, in-house daycare, and city-wide community outreach. Notably, Chelsea balanced her fourth-year studies and cross-country practicum while welcoming a newborn daughter in February 2026.

“Having this course offered remotely allowed me to balance my commitment to my family, which was incredibly important to me,” Tawse shares. “The flexibility allowed me to complete most of my practicum hours within the first semester so I could focus on caring for my infant daughter after her birth.”

The placement has already resulted in an upcoming interview for a casual support position in the shelter’s intake office this August. “This course provided me with the opportunity to work for the organization of my dreams, and it assured me that my future career will be within the human services sector,” she adds.

Gabrielle Trottier (Sudbury, Ontario)

Having recently finished her  Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, with a minor in Law and Justice, Gabrielle took her learning into the field with the Greater Sudbury Police Service’s Community Engagement Section. Her hands-on work ranged from developing a youth school research strategy to participating in police ride-alongs and touring headquarters.

The experience directly inspired her upcoming master’s thesis topic on trauma-informed approaches to sexual assault investigations as she prepares to enter Laurentian’s Master’s in Relational Studies programme this September. “The placement not only allowed me to grow professionally, but also helped shape my future goals,” Gabrielle notes. “It gives you a practical understanding of policing and the justice system that extends far beyond the classroom.”

Jenna Rossignol (Sudbury, Ontario)

Completing her Equity, Diversity, and Human Rights degree (EDHR) degree alongside a Concurrent Education programme, Jenna spent her placement with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. Working with the chaplaincy lead at Marymount Academy and Bishop Alexander Carter, Jenna ran the International Students Club and the Unity Club while spearheading a comprehensive EDI audit for both schools.

Jenna was pleasantly surprised by how naturally her human rights background applied to student well-being, identity, and inclusion within a chaplaincy setting. While she returns to Laurentian this autumn to complete her final year of teacher qualification, her placement has already built a powerful professional network.

“This opportunity helped me move from understanding human rights in theory to seeing its impact within a real school community,” Jenna says. “It allowed me to see the kind of educator I want to become—one who creates environments where students feel supported, included, and genuinely connected.”

A Flexible Future for the Faculty of Arts

The course is designed for students across three disciplines: Sociology, Criminology, and  Equity, Diversity, and Human Rights. By allowing remote students to vet and secure placements in their own communities, Laurentian is expanding its footprint far beyond Sudbury.

Dr. Nichols notes that the program’s reputation is growing rapidly. “Organizations that didn’t get a placement student this year are already asking for one next year. We are building a bridge between the university and the community that benefits everyone involved.”

As Laurentian University continues to innovate, SOCI-4195EL stands as a testament to the power of flexible, inclusive, and career-focused education.

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