Atlantic Cape Receives National ‘Promising Practices Award’ For Career Infusion Project

MAYS LANDING—Atlantic Cape Community College recently earned the 2016 Promising Practices Award from the Student Affairs Partnering with Academic Affairs Knowledge Community of NASPA, a national student affairs organization, for a new career development initiative.
The program provides curriculum infusion of career development and was spearheaded by Dr. Mitchell A. Levy, vice president of student affairs and branch campus management, in collaboration with several college faculty members.
“Based on research done in the field, we know students who are connected with career goals are more likely to be retained and more likely to be successful,” Levy said. “We help students who have participated in our career development initiatives select majors earlier and identify transfer schools based on that career.”
“Of the 450 students who have participated in the initiative, 95 percent have responded they “have learned something new” and “are more motivated to pursue their goals,” Levy said.
The goal of the career development initiative is to provide students systemic career assessment and career development services. “By enhancing student awareness of career options and assisting students in making informed career decisions, we afford students increased empowerment and motivation, in addition to ownership of their educational goals,” Levy said.
To support this initiative, Atlantic Cape has introduced a career services office on each campus; purchased SIGI career development software; trained Peer Career Mentors to assist students in accessing career resources; implemented a career development outreach initiative for students with 60 or more credits; added career development workshops during College Awareness Day serving area high school students; and incorporated the curricular infusion project into many courses across the college.
Sixteen Atlantic cape faculty currently participate in the program and the college is expanding it to the math curriculum.
Others involved in the development of the program include Janet Marler, associate dean, academic support services; and faculty members Michael Kammer, Sue DePhilippis, Maryann McCall, Judith Otterburn-Martinez, Gwen McIntyre, Michael Sargente, Tammy DeFranco, Michele Leacott, Kelly Herbst, Mary McWilliams, Erica DiRenzo and Afton Koontz.
“This has been a rewarding and successful partnership between academics and student affairs,” Levy said.
Atlantic Cape’s program was selected over 12 others nominated from across the country. For more information on Atlantic Cape’s Student Success Initiatives, visit www.atlantic.edu/atd.