Funding Friday: Safe Communities and College Readiness
Posted on September 20, 2024
The latest research announcements at UNCG serve the initiatives of faculty and staff working in all areas of campus, including Student Success, the Center for New North Carolinians, and Information, Library, and Research Sciences.
UNCG’s Career & Professional Development engages with students from day one on campus, helping them with career exploration, resum...
Annual FERPA Training Begins in October
Posted on September 19, 2024
As we begin the new academic year, an updated version of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) training will be available to all UNCG administrators, faculty, and staff in October 2024. FERPA is a federal law that safeguards the privacy of student education records. Annual completion of this online training is mandatory for all UNCG personnel to ensure compliance and protect our students’ privacy.
We listened to your feedback and incorporated many of your suggestions from last year’s training module into this year’s version. UNCG remains committed to providing a learning experience that is both thorough and user-friendly. Training in this area is essential for understanding the types of information we are permitted to disclose, ensuring that we all adhere to federal regulations while fulfilling our responsibilities.
Please make sure to complete the updated training promptly once it becomes available. Thank you for your continued commitment to upholding these important standards.
UNCG’s Career & Professional Development engages with students from day one on campus, helping them with career exploration, resum...
Spartans Thrive Thursday: Career Readiness Begins Today
Posted on September 19, 2024
No matter your major, the goal of every student is a successful, enriching career, and it is never too early to think about professional development.
UNC Greensboro’s Career & Professional Development (CPD) services are here to help students find a path to a career they’ll love and one that maximizes their earnings, but don’t wait until you’re about to graduate to take advantage of this help. Here are five ways that CPD’s resources can boost student’s career readiness now.
1. Score a Part-time Job
Over half of UNCG students have at least one job. Working not only makes college expenses more manageable, but it gives students experience that hones their career choices and builds skills to make them more marketable after graduation.
CPD links students with on and off campus job opportunities through Handshake. Handshake is CPD’s career management platform, which features over 400,000 employers with internships and job opportunities. The software promotes jobs to students whose profiles match the job description. Over 900,000 employers globally utilize Handshake. UNCG is strategically connected with over 22,000 of them, and over 4,100 are in North Carolina.
“There are thousands of job opportunities on Handshake, and companies are posting new jobs every single day,” says Megan Walters, CPD Director. “If you see a job on Handshake, it’s because that company asked permission to post specifically at UNCG, and our team agrees that it’s a good opportunity for you! Nothing is an accident on Handshake.”
2. Decide on a Major
College is the time to explore career paths. It’s the perfect environment to thoughtfully consider your passions, skills, and values. Take classes, join clubs, or work a part-time job to test out careers. Research hiring trends and salaries, and when you need help culling your options, consult a CPD advisor.
CPD’s resources can guide you toward a fulfilling career. First- and second-years can consult the Interest Profiler or Skills Matcher to consider different majors, and career coaches like Justin Golding are available for appointments about major and career exploration.
“We’ll ask the right questions to help you find clarity in your next steps,” Golding says. “My job is to help you be successful!”
3. Build Your Resume and Interview Skills
Photo by Martin Kane.
Whether you’re seeking an internship, a part-time job to help with college expenses, or your first job after graduation, the competition is fierce. Submitting a resume that stands out and taking time to prepare for an interview moves the needle in your favor, and that’s where CPD can help:
Make an appointment with a career coach to strengthen your resume and cover letter, prepare for interviews, plan for graduate school, and more.
Use tools like VMock to virtually review your resume and receive real-time feedback based on presentation, competencies, and impact.
Big Interview is a great tool to learn about and practice interviewing. Use this tool to sharpen your interview answers and get real time feedback.
4. Land an Internship
Aside from placing students in internships through Handshake, CPD also has connections with various organizations that work with employers to fill internship positions for students. The earlier you can share your career aspirations with the folks at CPD, the better your chances are of landing a coveted internship.
As graduation looms closer for students, “what’s next?” is a common question. Last year, more than 2,200 seniors engaged with CPD through appointments, career fairs, tech platforms, and workshops.
“We want Spartans to have their next steps determined before they cross the stage at graduation,” says Walters. “Whether you enroll in a graduate program, transition from an intern to a full-time employee, or land a new career position, we are here to support you. Let us help you identify and secure your next opportunity!”
There are several platforms they recommend for keeping your job search organized. Apps like GoinGlobal help students who want to find an international job after graduation. Career Shift searches postings across several boards in one convenient location for students.
Finally, look out for career fairs which bring employers to campus for recruiting events. Attending a career fair is a great way to browse opportunities and practice networking. They are open to students from all class years and all majors. The Fall Career Fair planned for Thursday, September 26 at the Kaplan Center is your next chance to engage with employees looking for bright Spartans to hire. Don’t miss it!
Fall Career Fair
Thursday, Sept. 26, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Kaplan Recreation and Wellness Center
100 employers & graduate schools will be attending with 1,200+ opportunities available.
More than half of registered companies are seeking interns.
Professional headshots will be available during the career fair.
Get Connected
Whatever your professional development needs, there are lots of ways to tap into CPD’s services:
Photo by David Lee Row.
Accessing Handshake with your student credentials is your first step to leveraging CPD’s resources. Here, you can find jobs and internships, connect with employers, register for events, and schedule coaching appointments.
Check the CPD’s DIY Career page for links and apps that will help you research jobs and careers on your own.
Drop by the Career & Professional Development office on the first floor of the EUC for in-person career coaching.
UNCG’s Career & Professional Development engages with students from day one on campus, helping them with career exploration, resum...
Growing UNCG Animation Program Moves into New Space
Posted on September 18, 2024
Students work on 2D, 3D, and interactive projects in this state-of-the-art studio in UNCG’s Gatewood Studio Arts Building. In just two years since it began, the BFA Studio Arts Animation Concentration has grown by leaps and bounds.
UNCG’s Career & Professional Development engages with students from day one on campus, helping them with career exploration, resum...
Upcoming Changes & Working Group Announced for Communications and Marketing
Posted on September 17, 2024
Following months of diligent work in Spring 2023, the Chancellor’s Task Force on Financial Sustainability recommended centralizing key institutional functions to improve quality and efficiency, including the communications and marketing functions. In connection with that recommendation, the University worked with Segal, a highly regarded higher education organizational firm, to conduct a comprehensive assessment. After extensive engagement, Segal recommended strategic reorganization and centralization of communications and marketing to ensure university-wide communications alignment, reduce redundancy and costs, and position the University well to meet current and future key stakeholder demands.
With feedback from campus leadership, the Chancellor made the following key decisions on those recommendations.
The University Communications Division will be retained and will continue reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications, with a search for that Vice Chancellor launching this spring.
An operational plan will be initiated to begin centralizing marketing and communications positions from allcampus units other than Advancement, Athletics, Bryan School, and Enrollment Management. Those units are directed to work in closer partnership with University Communications, particularly around branding, use of external vendors, and advertising spending.
The Chancellor has appointed a working group to design a new operational model. Throughout the fall semester, the working group will clearly define marketing and communications structures and roles, reporting relationships, processes, practices, and funding. The plan will be submitted to the Chancellor by January. Members of the working group are:
Craig Biles, University Digital Design and Mobile Communications Director, University Communications and Information Technology Services
Myla Edmond, Interim Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications
Lindsay Draper, Associate Professor, Professional Track and Director of Faculty Credentialing, Compliance, & Special Initiatives, School of Nursing; Provost’s Fellow
Kristy Howell, Associate Director, Community Engagement, Institute for Community and Economic Engagement
Tim Johnson, Director of Housing, Student Affairs
Dominic Lombardi, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advancement Operations
Patricia Lynch, Director of Employee Relations, Office of Human Resources
Katie MacInnes, Director of Enrollment Communication
Stuart Markovitch, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Scott Milman, Associate Vice Chancellor, Budget and Finance
Larissa Witmer, Assistant Dean for Projects and Programs, School of Health and Human Sciences
UNCG’s Career & Professional Development engages with students from day one on campus, helping them with career exploration, resum...
UNCG Joins Higher Ed Network Enhancing Mental Health for Students
Posted on September 17, 2024
Be Well Stay Well.
UNC Greensboro is proud to announce its designation as a JED Campus, joining a distinguished network of higher education institutions committed to enhancing mental health awareness and resources available to students. UNCG leaders understand the direct impact that well-being has on student success and want to ensure all students have every opportunity to thrive as Spartans.
The JED Campus program, an initiative of the JED Foundation, is designed to support colleges and universities in creating a campus culture that promotes mental health and well-being. This designation underscores UNCG’s dedication to fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes the mental health of its student body.
The eight dimensions of wellness promoted by Spartans Thrive.
“We are excited to collaborate with the JED Foundation to further strengthen our campus community and ensure that we have all of the support and safety nets available to our students,” said Cathy Akens, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. “We know our students are managing so much and so mental health and well-being is a subject we talk about openly and prioritize in the student experience.”
“The college years are the age when many mental health issues first manifest, and it can be a time of significant stress and pressure,” said John MacPhee, Chief Executive Officer of JED. “JED Campus helps schools by working with them to evaluate what their college or university is doing to support student emotional health and well-being and find practical ways to augment these efforts in a comprehensive way. We believe that the implementation of a campus-wide approach to mental health will lead to safer, healthier communities, and likely greater student retention.”
UNCG’s membership in JED Campus begins with establishing an interdisciplinary, campus-wide team to assess, support and implement program, policy, and system improvements and completing a confidential, self-assessment survey on its mental health promotion, substance use, and suicide prevention efforts. Upon completion of the assessment, JED subject matter experts will provide UNCG with a comprehensive feedback report identifying successes and opportunities for enhancements. UNCG will collaborate with JED over the next four years to help implement these enhancements.
That committee will be chaired by Dean of Students and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Brett Carter and Sociology Professor Sarah Daynes.
UNCG’s Career & Professional Development engages with students from day one on campus, helping them with career exploration, resum...
Strategic Plan Open Forums Announced
Posted on September 16, 2024
Following the release of the Draft Refresh of the Strategic Plan, Faculty and Staff are invited to give feedback during two rounds of open forums. The first round will occur Sept 23 and 24. The second will be Oct 21 and 22. Details and links to join the forums are found below.
UNCG’s Career & Professional Development engages with students from day one on campus, helping them with career exploration, resum...
Space Open for Child Assessments and Therapy
Posted on September 16, 2024
The UNC Greensboro Psychology Clinic has been providing therapy and assessment services to the UNCG and Greensboro community for over 45 years. It currently has openings with immediate availability (until spaces are full) for therapy services for children and adolescents, as well as providing parenting support.
UNCG faculty and staff receive 50 percent discounts on services and all are welcome to apply for financial assistance to receive a reduced rate for services on the clinic’s sliding scale. As a training clinic within the Department of Psychology, clinicians at this clinic are graduate students in the clinical psychology PhD program, closely supervised by licensed clinical faculty. That means receiving services at our clinic is mutually beneficial for families as well as UNCG students. The clinic provides short-term (12-16 sessions) of evidence-based care, which means the treatments have been scientifically demonstrated to help individuals with similar concerns.
Common issues seen at the clinic include, but are not limited to:
Anxiety (difficulty with transitions, separations, or new experiences)
ADHD (managing youth’s challenges with attention, excess energy, and time management)
Complying with expectations from parents and teachers
Managing emotions (anger, sadness)
Self-esteem
Depression
Anyone who might like to employ these services may submit an Interest Form or call at 336.334.5662 to get more information.
UNCG’s Career & Professional Development engages with students from day one on campus, helping them with career exploration, resum...
Mix and Mingle Lets Campus Meet Visiting Fulbright Teachers
Posted on September 16, 2024
2024 Fulbright TEA Program's Participants.
The UNCG community can get to know the visiting Fulbright teachers during the annual International Mix & Mingle hosted by the School of Education.
Monday, September 23 3-4:30 p.m. Teaching Resources Center School of Education Building, Room 310
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to join this global engagement opportunity to network with our UNCG, local, and international communities. They will have the chance to meet visiting Fulbright teachers. Refreshments will be served.
UNCG’s Career & Professional Development engages with students from day one on campus, helping them with career exploration, resum...
UNCG Honors Senior Hones Drive for International Relations
Posted on September 17, 2024
UNCG senior Jia Emaus is active in the Lloyd International Honors College and a recipient of the Katherine Smith Reynolds Scholarship.
UNCG senior Jia Li Emaus has been part of a multicultural family since she was three. She immigrated from China into an adopted family that celebrated diversity. Her six siblings are from Guatemala, Russia, Ethiopia, and the U.S.
It was right under her childhood roof where Emaus’ curiosity for culture blossomed.
“We’re a bunch of siblings from all over the world. I learned about different cultures and that family isn’t always necessarily blood,” Emaus says. “Family can be people from different areas, backgrounds, and walks of life forming a community.”
These are impressive accomplishments for any student, but especially for one who started college as an introvert.
“I was a bit nervous coming to UNCG, but I really found a place here – not just academically but also within the community,” Emaus says.
Embracing Greensboro’s Diversity
Emaus’ drive to surround herself with diversity led her to UNCG’s Lloyd International Honors College and into the broader Greensboro community.
“In high school, I did a year abroad in Ecuador, and that really sparked my interest in international relations and learning about other countries and global citizenship,” she says. “The Honors College just felt like the right path for me to take to broaden those interests.”
When Emaus arrived at UNCG, she was determined to say yes to as many opportunities as she could, from making friends with other students in her dorm (she now shares an apartment with her freshman roommate and fellow stand-out senior Natalia Fagundez) to service.
Emaus (left) and Fagundez (right) have been roommates since their freshmen year.Emaus (left) and Natalia Fagundez (right) walk out of the Lloyd International Honors College.
UNCG’s Office of Leadership & Civic Engagement connected Emaus with the Greensboro community and helped her grow as a leader. Emaus has spent over 300 hours volunteering, focusing mostly on organizations that serve immigrants, including the UNCG Center for New North Carolinians, Real World English, and North Carolina for Community and Justice.
“I didn’t really know much about Greensboro before coming to college, but now, I think the city is so cool,” she says. “Greensboro has such rich culture and diversity and so many stories to tell.”
A highlight of Emaus’ volunteering experiences has been connecting with children, whether teaching them English or facilitating citizenship classes.
“I started speaking Spanish to them, and they’re surprised: ‘Oh my gosh you can speak Spanish. This is relieving,”’ she says. “I can connect with them on that aspect, and it’s rewarding to use a skill I’m very passionate about to give back to the community.”
Pursuing a passion for political science
Emaus has also stepped out of her comfort zone academically. As a first year, she was initially apprehensive about attending office hours, but soon realized her professors were in her corner.
Emaus is a double major in Political Science and International and Global Studies and double minors in Spanish and Chinese.
“The professors here have been so passionate and also compassionate, and they really connect with their students in ways I don’t think I would get at other universities,” she says. “They’ve helped me so much – not just academically but also personally.”
One of Emaus’ mentors has been Dr. Michael Broache, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science. Emaus says she was drawn to Broache’s engaging lecture style that incorporates current research and sparks discussion. Broache also says Emaus stood out.
“I’ve taught Jia in multiple courses during her time at UNCG, and I’ve been consistently impressed with her thoroughness, willingness to ask questions, and love for learning,” he says.
Emaus worked with Broache to restart UNCG’s Model United Nations Club. She is also working with him on multiple research projects, including examining how local governments have responded to international conflict.
“We are hoping to contribute to knowledge about the relationship between local and international politics, as well as the potential influence of local governments on the foreign policy decision-making of national governments,” Broache says.
While in the early stages of this research, Emaus says she has enjoyed applying concepts she has learned in her courses, including data input and finding credible resources.
“Research is a great opportunity to not just learn something, but to use what I’m learning in a real way,” she says.
Emaus plans to continue this research for her capstone project this coming year. In the meantime, she will finalize her post-graduation plans to pursue international relations.
Wherever her next step takes her, Emaus will be graduating UNCG with a stronger voice and a place in a broader community.
“I feel like UNCG has definitely helped me to become a more extroverted person – and a person who is willing to take initiative and opportunities,” she says. “I’m now willing to take that extra step and initiative for something that I’m passionate about.”
Story by Rachel Damiani Photography by Sean Norona
