The Lumina Foundation recently selected 16 colleges and universities from across the United States to participate in “From Campus to Career,” a new initiative designed to strengthen workforce outcomes for students through engagement and experiential learning opportunities linked to clear workforce pathways.
Among the participating institutions are five historically Black universities: Bowie State University in Maryland, Claflin University in South Carolina, Norfolk State University in Virginia, North Carolina A&T State University, and Virginia State University.
“Too many students complete meaningful academic experiences without clear pathways to translate those experiences into career opportunities,” said Jasmine Haywood, strategy director for credentials of value at Lumina. “If a credential is going to hold value in the labor market, students must graduate with the ability to demonstrate the skills and competencies employers need. Career-connected high-impact practices are one of the most powerful tools we have to make that connection visible and real.”
Over the next two years, the participating colleges and universities will each receive $100,000 in funding along with tailored technical assistance and cohort-based support from national intermediaries — including Excelencia in Education, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the Center for Innovation in Postsecondary Education — who will help implement strategies to strengthen the value and return-on-investment of the participants’ bachelor’s degree programs.
