Objective 2 Project Reports
March, 2026
Objective 2: Increase students’ career readiness through intentionally designed curricular and co-curricular experiences
Below are project reports for three projects in UM's Playbook focused on Objective 2. Each report includes details about the intent of the project, why it's important, and progress made this fiscal year.
Objective 2 Project Reports
-
The project
Expand and deepen alumni, faculty, staff, and community co-curricular partnerships in support of students’ access to networks and mentorships
Project Leads: LeAnn Layton and Kyle Bocinsky
Executive Sponsor: Brad GoanWhat we’re trying to accomplish
This project is using Steppingblocks data to systematically connect students with alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners who can provide mentorship, career insights, and networking opportunities aligned with students’ academic and career pathways. The goal is to scale career-connected learning and access to professional networks, particularly for students who may lack them.
Why it matters
Access to networks and mentorship strongly influences career readiness and post-graduation outcomes, yet not all students arrive with these advantages. By leveraging alumni data to embed career connections into advising, coursework, and co-curricular experiences, UM can strengthen equity, demonstrate the return on investment of a UM degree, and better prepare students for life after graduation.
Progress
The project has delivered multiple presentations and demonstrations of Steppingblocks to academic leaders and campus partners, leading to early adoption across advising, alumni engagement, and program design. Campus-wide trainings are being scaled in partnership with OOLD, planning for Protopia is complete pending funding, and Steppingblocks data is already being used to support mentoring, panels, and career-connected programming.
-
The project
Continue to work with faculty across disciplines to integrate career readiness into the curriculum and co-curriculum
Project Leads: Andrea Vernon and Jennifer Thomsen
Executive Sponsor: John DeBoerWhat we’re trying to accomplish
This project is embedding career readiness competencies into core academic and co-curricular experiences—including General Education, academic program outcomes, student employment, and faculty development—so that all students develop and can articulate career-relevant skills. It also builds systems to track and assess how these competencies contribute to post-graduate outcomes.
Why it matters
Students increasingly expect their education to prepare them for meaningful careers, and employers value clearly articulated, transferable skills. Integrating career readiness into the curriculum improves equity of access to career development, strengthens student confidence and outcomes after graduation, and helps UM demonstrate the value and impact of its academic programs.
Progress
The project has expanded Griz Career Skills participation, supported faculty in integrating career competencies into General Education and program learning outcomes, and delivered multiple trainings and resources through the Career Champions program. While adoption has been uneven, momentum is building through improved faculty support, committee partnerships, and system-level tracking efforts such as the development of a Career Ready Competency dashboard.
More from the project leads
Dear Colleagues:
Every day across campus, faculty, staff and administrators help students connect their education to what comes next—through advising conversations, mentoring, supervision, and encouragement.
Career Champions is a campuswide community of 200 staff and faculty (and growing) designed to recognize and support that work. Sign up now to become a Career Champion and get instant access to practical tools and resources to support student career readiness in your role. The best part? There’s no time commitment required.
As a Career Champion, you’ll receive:
- Access to a curated Canvas resource hub
- A short monthly newsletter with tools and ideas you can use right away
- Invitations to career-focused events and workshops
- Opportunities to share and learn from what others are doing
- A Career Champions mug and sticker
-
The project
Adapt the academic program portfolio review process with a lens on curricular relevance
Project Leads: John DeBoer and Marc Hendrix
Executive Sponsor: Adrea LawrenceWhat we’re trying to accomplish
This project is developing a clearer, student-centered approach to assessing the relevance and value of academic programs by incorporating external indicators such as career outcomes, workforce demand, and community impact into program review. The aim is to improve transparency and decision-making about how academic programs contribute to student success and societal needs.
Why it matters
Growing federal accountability requirements and student expectations demand clearer evidence of the value of academic programs. By strengthening how UM evaluates and communicates program relevance, the university can better support informed student choice, guide strategic investment, and protect access to federal aid while sustaining mission-critical programs.
Progress
Initial analysis clarified that program relevance and value are best assessed within the seven-year BOR Program Review process rather than annual portfolio review. The project has refocused on identifying appropriate external indicators, aligning with OCHE’s parallel work, and developing a conceptual framework to guide future integration into program review, with broader piloting planned beyond FY26.
More from the project leads
Programs that are scheduled for BOR Program Review for the upcoming cycle will receive Market Analysis for their programs as a resource to respond to in preparing their self-study.