Ken Schultz, an English Literature & Writing major with a concentration in Text:Image at Marylhurst University, recently completed a 25-credit portfolio through Prior Learning Assessment  — CONGRATULATIONS, Ken!

Listening
Public Speaking
Metamorphosis: The process of change within human cultures and individuals
Acting for the Camera
Advanced Screen Writing
Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Filmmaking
Digital Video Editing

In his final PLA Reflection statement, Ken speaks of the power of learning in a community, with peer review as an essential component of the PLA writing process.  “I have found benefit in peer review not only for developing my PLA essays, but in my personal fiction writing, as well.  I have become a lot more invested in disseminating and gathering feedback about my own writing, both personally and professionally, and feel like I have a much clearer understanding of how this added perspective contributes to improving my work.”

In this audio clip, you can learn about Ken’s personal experience in the PLA program, and how he demonstrated his extensive personal and professional learning to earn 25 college credits!

• COL 427 Great Meetings: Planning and Facilitating Difficult Group Discussion
• CCM 321 Small Group Communication
• COL 426 Team Building: Managing Work Groups

In her Final Portfolio Reflection essay, Catherine wrote:

The PLA program was especially valuable to me because it provided tools to help me find what I was interested in and did well at, and then matched that to a degree program. Education is valuable and I have always wanted to complete my bachelor’s degree; the PLA program created an environment where experience and education are combined to build a strong resume and a sound career path while working on my degree.

Through the PLA program I learned to dream again and think about my future in a more creative way. It offered me opportunities to remember where I had been and what I had done in life and how that has molded me into the person I am today. PLA then helped me take that awareness to develop an educational degree plan that truly excited me.

Congratulations, Catherine!

• BIO 165 – Alternatives in Health and Healing
• BIO 167 – Nutritional Science
• CHS 354 – Environment, Culture, and Food
• CCM 342 – Rhythm-Based Communication
• SPP 371 – Communicating the Sacred through Dance

In her final Reflective Essay, Debra wrote:

Like so many others examining the trails of our lived lives, I soon discovered how much I had undervalued some experiences and independent learning. In this year, I’ve become better able to express myself in writing and discussion and to appreciate how different points of view embellish and extend the learning process. I have gained skills in computer technology, time management, and research tools, and I have made many good friends and professional colleagues in the library and through the coursework . . . I feel ready to embrace the challenge of graduate school and am grateful to have become a more confident writer.

In her video, Debra tells us more about her experiences with the program, including how she saved time and money (almost $2,500) by going through the PLA program.