Career development fair, an event that the Pathways to Practice will help initiate more frequently.
MANHATTAN.EDU/ Website
Nick Melendez, Staff Writer
Manhattan University (MU) is expanding its career services and student success departments after receiving a $3 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The departments are working together on a new initiative called Pathways to Practice.
Although MU’s Provost Bridget Chalk, Ph.D., has held the position for just five months, changes are already underway at the university. Chalk expressed that the role has broadened her perspective on the university and higher education as a whole.
“[It’s] invigorating to step into a role like this where [I’m] thinking more about higher education as a whole, rather than just [my] discipline and my major,” Chalk said.
Federal and state grants require an application process. Chalk saw this opportunity approaching and recognized that the university could combine academic advising and career counseling into a single center.
“[It means] students would be able to get a very holistic treatment, and understand how career preparation is integral to their education from day one,” Chalk said.
The team behind the Pathways to Practice initiative currently consists of staff members in advising and academic success. With the grant funds, MU will attempt to hire an executive director for career and strategy advising. This role would oversee external employer relations, set up internships and run career fairs and industry site visits.
Merging the two offices will not require major renovations, Chalk noted. MU plans only to add some furniture and convert a conference room into a boardroom-style space where students can practice interviewing.
Chalk expressed that she hopes students are excited about the launch of the initiative, which she sees as building on the university’s existing mission and approach to education.
“[It will] provide a supercharged version of what we’ve always done here at MU, which is provide a practical education for students to become successful and ethical citizens in the world,” Chalk said.
Adriane Bilous, associate provost for administrative business and director of career and postgraduate integration, helped plan how the initiative would take shape. Bilous discussed with The Quadrangle the work involved both planning and a review of existing systems.
“We had to develop both processes and timelines, while also examining existing structures and how they could be transformed… not only to meet grant requirements, but also to better serve students,” Bilous said.
Olivia Crowley, career counselor and director of the mentor program, told The Quadrangle that many alumni are eager to help. The initiative will provide a clearer way for them to support students through industry connections.
As part of that effort, Juanita Pacheco, director of advising and success coaching, works with MU’s success coaches to develop an advising model that connects students’ academic progress with career exploration throughout their college experience.
“In success coaching, we are looking forward to providing a clear path or guide for students to follow along all four years,” Pacheco said.
The resources are available to all students at the university and are meant to help prepare them to step into the real world, with support throughout their academic careers, from their first year through graduation.