Indiana University South Bend will receive $100,000 in funding during the next two years for career readiness initiatives.
The university was one of 16 institutions chosen to participate in the From Campus to Career, a national initiative from the Lumina Foundation based in Indianapolis. Almost 200 campuses nationwide applied for the grants.
“The grant is going to allow us to move forward with our existing high impact practices that prepare students for careers, as well as introduce new ones,” said Susan Thomas, dean of libraries at IU South Bend, in a press release.
IU South Bend plans to use the funds to create an an ePortfolio studio on campus. The space will give students opportunities to build “personalized digital collections that highlights their academic and professional experiences, and facilitates reflection, goal setting and preparation for the future.” The grant also will help continue the office of professional engagement's internship program, HIPs goals in the honors program and faculty workshops.
“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our campus team, this grant will allow IU South Bend to continue our mission of providing students with experiences that open doors and prepare them for real-world success,” Chancellor Brian Pappas said.
Campuses were chosen based on programs already in place, to strengthen not start high-impact practices that lead to career-connected learning. Lumina’s 2040 goal is to make sure 75% of the U.S. workforce has a degree or credential that leads to financial success.
“With so much changing in the nature of work, it is imperative that we ensure that all today’s college students have the opportunity to apply their developing skills in real-world settings during their educational journeys,” said Rob Shorette, strategy officer for credentials of value at Lumina, in a blog post. “We must make the connection between learning and work clearer, more intentional and more equitable.”
The grant application process included three rounds of applications over three months.
IU South Bend has 4,716 students, of which 30% are first generation. Eighty percent of graduates work in local communities.
