Career Champions Program

Empowering Faculty to Integrate Career Readiness Across Campus

Faculty are instrumental in helping students connect academic learning with career development. The Faculty Champions Program recognizes and supports UTRGV faculty who actively promote career readiness within their classrooms, departments, and colleges.

Through intentional collaboration with the Career Center, Faculty Champions serve as advocates, connectors, and mentors who help students translate their education into meaningful career pathways.

A Faculty Champion is a faculty member who partners with the Career Center to enhance student engagement with career readiness resources, events, and experiences. Champions help bridge the gap between academics and career preparation by embedding career development concepts into the student learning experience.

Faculty Champions may:

• Encourage students to engage with Career Center services and resources (12twenty, workshops, and career fairs).
• Integrate NACE Career Readiness Competencies into course discussions and assignments.
• Collaborate with Career Center staff to develop discipline-specific programming.
• Share career and internship opportunities within their departments.
• Provide feedback on Career Center initiatives to strengthen campus partnerships.

Benefits of Becoming a Faculty Champion

Faculty Champions gain access to:

• Professional Development: Learn strategies to embed career readiness into academic curriculum.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with other faculty champions, employers, and Career Center staff.
• Early Access to Resources: Receive updates on internships, events, and employer partnerships.
• Recognition: Highlighted as a Faculty Champion through Career Center communications, newsletters, and campus events.

Student Success Impact: Contribute directly to the employability and lifelong success of UTRGV students.

1. Nominate Yourself or a Colleague
   Interested in serving as a Faculty Champion? Complete the Faculty Champions Interest Form to share your interest or nominate a colleague.
2. Collaborate with the Career Center
   Work with Career Center staff to identify opportunities to align career readiness with your course content or student organization involvement.
3. Promote Career Readiness Initiatives
   Share information about upcoming events, workshops, and internship opportunities with your students and peers.
4. Share Student Success Stories
   Help highlight student achievements by sharing stories of successful internships, career placements, or experiential learning.

Each year, the Career Center recognizes Faculty Champions who demonstrate exceptional commitment to student career development through:

• Integration of career readiness into curriculum.
• Collaboration on experiential learning initiatives.
• Active promotion of Career Center programs and events.

Faculty Champions help build a culture of career readiness at UTRGV — ensuring every student graduates prepared to thrive in an evolving workforce.

Interested in becoming a Faculty Champion or learning more about the program? 📧 Email: careercenter@utrgv.edu