Excelsior University Partners with Paul Smith’s College for Immersive Summer Course
ALBANY, N.Y. – Excelsior University has partnered with Paul Smith’s College to offer an innovative new summer course, “Humans, Health, and the Environment: A One Health Approach,” focused on teaching sustainability concepts through an immersive outdoor learning experience at Paul Smith’s campus in the Adirondack Mountains. The course explores the One Health philosophy – an approach recognizing the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment they share – with a hybrid educational program combining online coursework with a week of on-location learning in the Adirondacks.
The core of the course is a field residency at Paul Smith’s College from August 3-9, 2025, where students will connect their studies with practical applications in nature. Participants will gain hands-on experience in understanding how domestic, agricultural, and wild animal populations intersect with human communities through guided field studies and expert-led thematic campfire discussions. Topics explored during the field residency include plant identification, zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, pollinators and food security, water and human health, sustainable agriculture, and the impact of the outdoors on physical and mental health.
“This collaboration with Paul Smith’s College reflects Excelsior University’s commitment to building community and providing unique experiential learning opportunities for our students,” said David Schejbal, Excelsior University president. “Through partnerships like this, Excelsior is creating a seamless environment for learners to enhance their online education with unforgettable in-person experiences and practical skills that will serve them throughout their lives.”
“Our partnership with Excelsior University underscores Paul Smith’s College’s commitment to expanding access to hands-on, immersive education,” said Dan Kelting, President of Paul Smith’s College. “By combining our distinctive strengths with Excelsior’s expertise in online learning, we’re enabling students to enrich their virtual studies with impactful, real-world experiences. Situated in the heart of the Adirondacks, Paul Smith’s offers unparalleled access to one of the nation’s most vibrant natural classrooms, an ideal setting for this kind of collaboration. We’re excited to continue investing in partnerships that prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and agility to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world.”
The 3-credit course is enrolling students now through June 27 for Excelsior’s Summer II term, beginning June 30. The course cost of $2,751 includes tuition, meals, and housing for the one-week residential field experience. The course is open to current Excelsior students, alumni, and the general public.
For more information, visit: https://www.excelsior.edu/page/summer-course-with-paul-smiths-college.
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Media Contact Excelsior University:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu
ABOUT EXCELSIOR UNIVERSITY
Excelsior University is an accredited, not-for-profit online institution focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.
ABOUT PAUL SMITH’S COLLEGE
At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. As the only four-year college located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith’s provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences and natural resources. We are able to draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive and adventurous individuals collectively provide experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at paulsmiths.edu.
