A student works at a computer during a workshop.
Center for Engaged Liberal Arts

Digital Portfolio

Photo credit: Yevhen Gulenko

Connect. Curate. Communicate.

At Oberlin, students use digital portfolios to integrate their learning inside and outside the classroom, plan for the future, and present their signature accomplishments to audiences within and beyond campus.

The Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA) provides structured programming for portfolio development at all stages of a student’s journey, from First-Year Advising Portfolios through research experiences, Winter Term projects, community engagement, and summer internships. By the time of graduation, students will have developed a significant digital archive of their academic and creative work, professional materials, and more.

Location

A-012

Contact

Abe Reshad
440-775-6899
digication@oberlin.edu

It’s your story and your future. Get started.

Learn how the digital portfolio program can be a platform for reflection and action.

Explore Experience Launch

Digital Portfolio Lab

The Center for Engaged Liberal Arts, located on the lower level of the Seeley G. Mudd Center, offers dedicated drop-in support as well as workshops to help students harness the power of a learning portfolio at every stage of their college journey. Graduating seniors work with Career Exploration and Development mentors to refine their portfolio and prepare to make the most of professional opportunities.

Explore Oberlin’s Digication resources

A student works with an advisor one-on-one.
Photo credit: Matthew Lester

Oberlin’s Digital Portfolio Curriculum

Students engage with Oberlin’s digital portfolio program throughout their time on campus, from New Student Orientation through senior capstones.

First-Year Advising Portfolio

During New Student Orientation, Peer Advising Leaders (PALs) guide cohorts of new students through the process of developing their First-Year Advising Portfolios. These portfolios are then shared with each student’s academic advisor, strengthening the holistic advising approach that is a hallmark of the Oberlin experience.

Students meet in small groups.
Photo credit: Yevhen Gulenko

Sophomore and Junior Toolkits

In the Sophomore Opportunities and Academic Resources (SOAR) and Internship+ programs, students develop toolkits designed to help them navigate the important milestones of their second and third years.

Two men present to a large class. The presentation slide reads, 'Insert your idea here' followed by a blank space.
Photo credit: Dale Preston

Winter Term

The Winter Term project toolkit includes portfolio templates for students' three required Winter Term projects. CELA staff and peer advisors offer group workshops and individual mentoring sessions to support students as they plan projects and curate their achievements and experiences in portfolio pages.

A film crew works on campus in winter.
Photo credit: Mike Crupi

Integrative Concentrations

All students pursuing an integrative concentration produce a digital portfolio to document their academic work and experiential learning project. Through these portfolios, students consider how their learning inside and outside the classroom informs their personal and professional development.

A student poses by the building sign for Mercy Health Chuang Medical Center.
Photo credit: Yvonne Gay

From the Classroom to the World

The Engaged Liberal Arts at Oberlin takes what you’re learning in your courses and puts it into practice through internships, research, study away experiences, winter term, career exploration, and beyond.

Career Development & Exploration Bonner Center Study Away Undergraduate Research Winter Term
The sun rises over Memorial Arch on Tappan Square.

Next Steps

An Oberlin education puts the liberal arts to work in achieving a life of meaning and purpose.

Exterior of the Mudd Center at twilight
Photo credit: Dale Preston