Innovation and Creativity: The Art of ACCESS Goal 1: Develop clear pathways into and through the university to ensure equitable access to higher education, enhance student engagement and success, and improve retention and graduation rates.
grown, reflecting increased student awareness and need, and reinforcing our commitment to equitable access and support. Contributors :: Katrina Whitney, Kristen Paton, Bruce Simpson, Aaron Woods, Merridy Rennick, Jessica Thomas, Andrew Burr, Dale Larson, Lizette Santos
Initiative 1.5: Map inclusive, evidence-based, and pedagogically sound High-Impact Practices (HIPs) to our academic and student engagement programs in a developmental way throughout a student’s journey. Career Services at Central Washington University has embraced innovation and creativity to expand equitable access to career development, aligning with Goal 1 of the university’s strategic plan. Our mission is to empower CWU’s diverse students with the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary to thrive in today’s demanding global job market. Through assessment and data-driven decisions, including student feedback, national trends, and analytics from our Virtual Career Center (VCC), we have identified service gaps and implemented extended advising hours, interactive workshops, and tech-integrated resources to meet students where they are. Innovation has meant more than adopting tools—it’s involved building authentic relationships across campus, saying “yes” to creative ideas, and infusing fun into our approach, such as our game-show-style orientation programming. Key initiatives like the VCC and the Professional Clothing Closet (PCC) illustrate our commitment to removing barriers to access and supporting every student’s journey. With strategic partnerships across colleges, student support programs, and faculty, we’ve created integrated pathways through career pages, embedded learning experiences, and scholarship support such as the Lalley Fellows and ANCHOR program (collaborative partnership with HR). From providing free professional attire to collaborating on career-integrated student employment, we continue to open doors and make meaningful connections that help students see themselves as career-ready. Our efforts reflect an ongoing evolution, driven by creativity, collaboration, and a deep belief in the transformative power of access. Since its launch in September 2024, our Virtual Career Center has seen strong engagement, with over 59,000 page views, 20,572 total users, and 20,478 active users across 34,133 sessions and 17,680 engaged sessions. This platform has significantly expanded access to career resources, meeting students where they are and supporting them on their path to career readiness. Our ANCHOR partnership with Human Resources has further strengthened this effort by connecting on-campus employment with academic coursework and critical career development skills. Additionally, usage of our Professional Clothing Closet has
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