The goal behind life-long learning is to stimulate critical thinking beyond a certain place or time. Although the concept is not new, life-long learning as an educational approach and practice is still in an evolutionary stage as institutions work to build this "state-of-mind."
Higher education is positioned to be a dominant force in establishing organizational frameworks and systems supporting life-long learning. University research is the primary source for most innovative breakthroughs; academic curriculum influences knowledge, attitudes and values in many areas of society; and teacher education impacts methods and theories applied in the classroom of primary and secondary schools.
Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.Anthony J. D’Angelo
Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.Anthony J. D’Angelo
Sam Houston State's goal for life-long learning focuses on creating an environment that supports and propagates intellectual, career, and professional development within an organization comprised of diverse faculty and staff.
On any given day at Sam Houston State University, hundreds of research projects are underway, studies that combine the best of both worlds: output and outreach.
Jaimie Hebert, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said research in all colleges is relevant to the work world and real life; applicable in academia, education, government and community. The key component to successful output and outreach, Hebert said, is allowing faculty "absolute freedom" in defining the scope of their research.
"I tell faculty to work on something they enjoy working on, something they're passionate about, because that helps us fulfill our educational mission," Hebert said. "It means I have intellectually-engaged faculty teaching our students. That's what it's all about: the passion and nurturing that passion."
Leading & Learning by Example
Dedicated to lifelong learning, our faculty do more than just teach; their days are filled with service in the classroom, within their communities, and to their fields through scholarly research. Students who participate in inquiry-based learning are also better prepared for graduate school, the workplace and the duties of responsible citizenship according to studies conducted by the Council of Undergraduate Research and National Conferences on Undergraduate Research.
