Date of Defense
4-22-2026
Date of Graduation
5-2026
Department
Sociology
First Advisor
Ashlyn Kuersten
Second Advisor
Bradford Dennis
Abstract
Experiential learning has become an increasingly important component of undergraduate education, particularly in fields that demand high levels of professional judgment, empathy, and technical skills. This thesis examines how the Western Michigan University (WMU) Cold Case Program (CCP), in partnership with the Michigan State Police, serves as a model of experiential learning that both enriches students’ academic experiences and contributes to real-world investigative work. Drawing on literature about experiential learning as well as my firsthand participation in the program, I analyze how structured hands-on engagement with unsolved homicide and missing persons cases has shaped undergraduate development at WMU.
Key program elements, including participation in Michigan State Homicide School, observing autopsies at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, regular meetings between police detectives and the students who are working on their cases, production of investigative documents, graded coursework, public open houses, and confidentiality training. Attention is paid to the program’s emphasis on collaboration with law enforcement and a sustained focus on victims and their families. I argue that the WMU Cold Case Program demonstrates how immersive, high-responsibility experiences can deepen students’ understanding of criminal justice, enhance career readiness, and provide a replicable model for other institutions seeking to integrate meaningful experiential learning into undergraduate education.
Recommended Citation
Killips, Maura, "Exploring how experiential learning enhances undergraduate education: Insights from the WMU Cold Case Program with Michigan State Police" (2026). Honors Theses. 4086.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/4086
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access
Presentation