Academics & Arts
Experiential Learning
VECTOR Program
VECTOR is one of several experiential learning pathways at Gilmour Academy. Like a vector, a student's education has both magnitude and direction. At Gilmour, we believe that a student's voice, passion and interest are the factors that determine how far students can go and on what course they travel. An individual student’s VECTOR is a concentrated set of classes and experiences that begin as early as Grade 9 and are channeled toward a particular theme or field. This results in a curated portfolio of reflections and experiential learning that culminate in a project before graduation.
A key component of a student's VECTOR experience is networking with professionals whose stories and impact resonate with the student's passions. The VECTOR Speaker Series invites professionals from a range of fields to be guest speakers for students in the program. Past speakers have included lawyers, physicians, university professors, small business owners and a Disney Imagineer!
Betsy Tietjen, Coordinator
tietjene@gilmour.org
| “ | VECTOR is an incredible program that really motivated me to think about the future and engage in experiential learning! At first, I was interested in law, so I was in the Civic Engagement and Law cohort. Through VECTOR, I was able to participate in a Harvard Law Program, attend events featuring speakers in the field, and participate in community service. However, as my personal dreams shifted, so did my path in VECTOR. I decided I wanted to pursue a career in dentistry, so I was able to instead join the Science and Medicine cohort. I shadowed a variety of dentists in different specialties, attended speaker events, worked at a dental office, and more. Participating in VECTOR was a great opportunity for me to get a head start on figuring out what I want to do for the rest of my life and it allowed me to experience, change my mind, and discover my true passion. Now, I am in the 3+4 Dental Program with the College of Wooster and Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine…I am so grateful for what the VECTOR program has done to help me on my career pathway. ~Gia Hilal ‘24 |
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