Strada Education Foundation recently announced the recipients of the Innovation in Career Services grant program, which supports institutions in their efforts to scale innovative guidance and career services. Athens State University was chosen as one of eight universities nationwide to receive this grant.
Strada, in partnership with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, awarded up to $300,000 to the selected institutions to help them design, implement, and evaluate innovative approaches to career services that are aligned with the principles for education-to-career guidance. Athens State received the full $300,000 award which will be co-led through Academic Affairs and Student Services.
“In proposing an innovative career development program that is embedded in several programs across the University, we are recognizing the need to place greater emphasis on moving our students along their academic paths while at the same time preparing them for the workforce,” said Dr. Alyson Gill, Athens State University Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Services. “We are known for our personalized approach to education here at Athens State, and our students value the relationships that they have with our faculty – many of whom maintain direct ties to local industry. Seven of our faculty will be piloting this program beginning this fall including Jing Chen, Letitia Bergantz, Diann Hammon, Maria Steele, Janet Willisson, Tina Camba, and Jessica Spowart.”
With the grant funds, Athens State will develop a transformational career development program, “Athens Aspire,” which will be piloted for students in Nursing, Computer Science & Information Technology, Graphic Design, Instructional Design, Human Resources Management, Management of Cybersecurity Operations, and Accounting programs. These programs were selected because of their direct ties to in-demand regional career paths. While these seven programs will lead the grant initiatives, all students will benefit.
“Preparing students to enter or advance in the job market is what Athens State does,” said Sallie McMullin, Athens State University Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services. “We are known for our highly marketable degrees, our industry connections, and our career focus in required courses. This grant reinforces our commitment to our role in providing the workforce needed in North Alabama and beyond.”
Athens Aspire will provide targeted support to aid in mentoring, networking, and building marketable career skills, as well as embed career development in specific courses, capitalize on faculty-industry relationships, award skills-based certificates (micro-credentials) in courses, and leverage experiential learning opportunities that will lead to successful employment.
