Director of experiential learning blazes a new trail in first year

From partnering on educational programming to facilitating engagement opportunities, College of Health Solutions Director of Experiential Learning Danielle Zelaya leads her team as they support and guide students through the process of navigating experiential learning.

After many years of working in employer partnership roles, Zelaya began work at the College of Health Solutions excited for the opportunity to mentor and lead a team. Now, it’s the college’s mission of improving health outcomes within the community and sense of purpose that motivates her every day.

“Danielle joined health solutions with tremendous energy and enthusiasm. She values collaboration and partnerships, making her an ideal fit for the role of director of experiential learning. Her caring approach has been evident in the thoughtful redesign of the internship and experiential learning processes, resulting in meaningful improvements that better support students,” said College of Health Solutions Executive Director of Student Success Ron Hicks.

Within just a year of serving in the role, Zelaya has made impressive strides within the college, winning her the "Rookie of the Year" award this summer. We had the opportunity to catch up with Zelaya and see where the last year has taken her.

Question: What does a day in the life look like?

Answer: Every day, and really every hour of the day, looks different, and I love that! Health solutions has a startup culture where everyone wears multiple hats, new initiatives move fast and we are constantly evolving to best support changing student needs. It keeps work exciting and interesting — I haven’t had a single day of being bored!

I joke with colleagues that my door is often closed, but that’s because I am constantly meeting with employers and stakeholders from health solutions and across the university. I enjoy building relationships and working collaboratively with others to improve processes and accomplish a goal. ASU as a university may be large, but health solutions is a tight-knit community with a culture where people support one another.

Q: Why the change from community placements to experiential learning?

A: If I asked most students, faculty or staff what community placements means, they would likely say something to the effect of ‘you place students in community opportunities.’ With limited exceptions, we actually don’t place students!

While much of my team’s day-to-day work involves supporting students as they navigate the internship search and corresponding compliance processes in order to receive academic credit, we also connect students with impactful experiential learning options including research, translational team opportunities, service learning courses and study abroad. Our hope is that changing our name from community placements to experiential learning will help convey the breadth of what my team offers and how students can engage with diverse cocurricular experiences.

The name change also resonates with the way experiential learning is in the DNA of our college. So much so that completing an experiential learning opportunity is literally a graduation requirement for undergraduate health solutions students!

Q: What are some of your proudest accomplishments since starting at the College of Health Solutions?

A: When I first joined, it was apparent that even though there was an amazing spirit of camaraderie, everyone on my team was in their own work bubble and very siloed. The nice thing about being new is that you get to ask lots of questions! I quickly learned that the team wanted to build a stronger sense of collaboration and to break down barriers to be able to better serve students as well as support each other. I am lucky to have a team that was willing to try out new ways of doing things in order to improve processes and remove silos. We function as a very different team now than when I started, and that is definitely thanks to each member of my team being open and putting in a lot of hard work this year.

Some of the specific accomplishments that stand out over the past year include building a strong relationship between health solutions and ASU Career Services, which has already helped embed career readiness into so many of our programs and opportunities, and revamping our spring career fair to diversify the employer audience and internship opportunities, expanding the event to include graduate students and increasing student attendance by 150%.

Q: What is the most fulfilling part of your job?

A: I am lucky to work with an exceptional team of smart and capable individuals who care deeply about student success and supporting students as they navigate experiential learning. They each bring unique talents and perspectives to their role. The most fulfilling part of my role is finding ways to uplift, motivate and encourage my team, and to see them grow and shine.

Q: How did you find out that you received the "Rookie of the Year" award?

A: I knew I was nominated ahead of time, but I didn’t find out I received the award until that day! Even when I walked up to receive the award, I couldn’t quite believe it at first.

We don’t talk about it enough, but everyone faces imposter syndrome when they start a new role — that includes me. There have been many times in the last year when I faced doubts in myself and whether I had the abilities my team needed in a director. Receiving this award represents not only an incredible honor and milestone in my career, but confirmation that I am making a positive impact with my team and at the college.

Even though the award has my name, to me this is actually an experiential learning team award. My team and my supervisor set me up for success by welcoming me right from the start and embracing the many changes and transitions that have occurred over the last year. They have each rolled up their sleeves right alongside me and approached challenges head on.

Q: Do you have a mantra that sums up your approach to your work?

A: Progress not perfection! I think the sentiment applies to lots of areas of life, including work. All we can do is keep trying and putting in our best efforts. This keeps moving the needle forward. If we aim for perfection, we may stall out in the details and lose momentum. 

Q: What are some of your hobbies outside of work?

A: I have a 3-year-old so he takes up most of my attention outside of work! Cooking is probably my main "hobby" and that is usually how I spend my Sunday afternoons. I love when there’s a birthday on my team because that means I get to bake something.