Ingenuity in Action Sponsor Overview

• Students complete an application in Handshake Experiences for an established experience or to propose their own experience. Feel free to share with your students these how-to guides for applying for an internship, an Off-Campus Studies course, or an Other Experience.
• The application is approved by the faculty/staff sponsor.
• Student completes the experience and submits final reflection through the InAct Portal if the application was completed there before January 2026 or in Moodle if the application was completed in Handshake.
• Since the faculty/staff sponsor has agreed to sponsor the student, they will have full discretion to approve or deny a student's reflection. The Ingenuity in Action committee can advise but will not approve or deny any reflections.
• Once approved, the experience will be added to the student’s transcript.

• Students need to provide contact information for themselves, their sponsors, and their academic advisor. They will also provide the start and end dates of the experience.
• For experiences that are not established, students will also need to provide a project description and rationale addressing the following questions:
  • What will you be doing during your experience related to your category?
  • How does this experience fit into your personal, academic and/or career goals?
• Applications are submitted through Handshake Experiences. Reflections are submitted in Moodle.

Students should:

• Identify appropriate sponsors and request their sponsorship prior to submitting their application.
• Initiate and maintain communication with sponsors regularly over the course of the experience, keeping track of the hours (if needed) devoted to the project using the Ingenuity in Action Hours Log.
• Complete the reflection within two weeks of the experience end date if submitted in the portal Students who submit their applications through Handshake will be instructed to submit their reflection in Moodle by the end of their experience.  

• Answer all reflection questions thoughtfully and completely.  If a reflective assignment has been required for the experience that addresses the stated questions, the student can attach this document to the reflection form rather than completing the questions separately.

Faculty and staff members will serve as sponsors for the student’s experience.

Sponsors should:

• Review and approve the student's proposal.  Experiences should meet the stated learning outcomes. Established experiences still need to be approved by the sponsor to ensure that sponsors are aware of the student’s plan and are willing to mentor this student. 
• Encourage thoughtful completion of a reflection.
• Review and approve students' reflections, making sure they articulate what they have gained from the experience and how it has enriched their education.
• Approve the reflection through the email sent by the InAct Portal (for applications submitted before January 2026) or in Moodle (if submitted in or after January 2026). Rubrics are provided in the section below.
• After grading a reflection in Moodle, fill out the Google form to upload the completed reflection and report the grades to the Registrar's Office so their staff can transcribe the experience for the student.

• If you have any questions about a particular student experience, direct those to ingenuity_in_action@cornellcollege.edu:
• Complete this established activity proposal to get your course or activity on the established list.
• If you have students who want to pursue multiple activities as part of the Ingenuity in Action experience over the course of 12 months, they must keep track of their hours using this Hours Log. By signing off on a student's Hours Log you are acknowledging that they have completed the hour requirement of the category.
• Is your course on the established list? Add the Ingenuity in Action language in the attached documents to your course syllabus to allow for easy participation:
  • Common Ingenuity in Action syllabus
  • Students must complete the InAct application within the first 3 days of the course to count the established course for InAct transcription.
  • Add the InAct reflection assignment to your course's Moodle page.
• When reviewing reflections, please use the rubrics provided:
  • Connections to Experience: Connects relevant experience and academic knowledge): Makes meaningful connections between experiences within the formal classroom and beyond. Shows evidence of a deepened understanding of one’s field of study and a broadened point of view. (Knowledge, Vocation)
    • 4 (Ample evidence)
    • 3 (Sufficient evidence)
    • 2 (Some evidence)
    • 1 (Little evidence)
    • 0 (no evidence)
  • >Reflection and Self-Assessment: Demonstration of a developing sense of self as a learner, building on prior experiences to respond to new and challenging contexts. Envisions a future self and makes plans that build on past experiences across diverse contexts (Knowledge, Vocation).
    • 4 (Ample evidence)
    • 3 (Sufficient evidence)
    • 2 (Some evidence)
    • 1 (Little evidence)
    • 0 (no evidence)
  • Communication: Recognizes the value of verbal and nonverbal communication and participates in efforts to improve communication skills (Communication).
    • 4 (Ample evidence
    • 3 (Sufficient evidence)
    • 2 (Some evidence)
    • 1 (Little evidence)
    • 0 (no evidence)

• Students will apply their knowledge and understanding through a variety of experiential opportunities. (Knowledge, Vocation)
• Students will articulate the content and value of their learning experiences through reflection. (Communication, Vocation)

In addition, each experiential learning activity will address one or more of the following Educational Priorities and Outcomes:

Reasoning - Students will evaluate evidence; interpret data; and use logical, mathematical, and statistical problem-solving tools. 

Intercultural Literacy - Students will connect with diverse ideas and with people whose experiences differ from their own and that may be separated from them by time, space, or culture.

Inquiry - Students will respond to the complexities of contemporary and enduring problems using information literacy tools, research skills, creative thinking, and analysis.

Ethical Behavior - Students will recognize personal, academic, and professional standards and act with integrity.

Citizenship - Students will collaborate with others and contribute to their communities and the larger world.

Well-being - Students will respect the ways physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual well-being may contribute to a balanced life.