About the Pathways Program
The Pathways to Innovation and Leadership Program aims to help students develop their innovation, leadership, and other practical skills needed for success in the modern world. Any student participating in the program can pave their own path with support for participating in various hands-on learning opportunities, building community, receiving mentoring, and deeply understanding their experiences through intentional reflection activities.
Personalized & Flexible
You're in control of crafting your own path based on what you're studying, what gets you excited, and where you see yourself in the future. Self-paced learning means moving at your own speed and tailoring your experience to fit your schedule and dreams.
Community
Besides all the cool learning experiences, you can also join a team of like-minded peers to work on projects focused on innovation and leadership in the Spring semester. It's a chance to learn, grow, and make a real impact with your ideas.
Meaningful Learning
You've got the power to shape your college experience in amazing ways! Dive into different learning activities, receive valuable feedback, and take time for self-reflection. There's so much you can do to enhance your education.
Networking
Get ready to expand your network in exciting ways! Whether it's connecting with other students, chatting with faculty and staff, or meeting alumni and industry leaders, there are so many cool people you can connect with, learn from them, and get inspired by their experiences.
Micro-credentials
Did you know you can level up your resumé and LinkedIn profile with digital badges? Yep, it's true! By completing various engagement activities, you can earn these badges to show off your skills and accomplishments.
Scholarships & Awards
Here's some exciting news: as a program participant, you are eligible for special Pathways scholarships. That's right – your hard work and dedication could pay off in more than one way. So, don't miss out on this awesome opportunity.
How the Program Works
The Pathways to Innovation and Leadership program supports your Innovation and Leadership journey with three ways of engagement: Discovery, Connections, and Change. Completion of any of these engagement levels earns you a digital badge.
Innovation and Leadership Discovery
Everyone will start with the Discovery to get a basic understanding of each competency and how it can be applied in the real world.
Innovation and Leadership Connections
After completion of the Discovery, anyone can take the Connections pathway to earn individual competency badges and integrate their learning and skills by getting involved in hands-on learning opportunities.
After or with the Connections, participants can join the Change pathway to work closely with a team of like-minded peers and mentors to make a real difference.
How do I get started?
Step 1: Submit your application
You'll be notified within a matter of days whether you have been admitted into the Pathways program. At that time, you will be added to a Canvas "course" called Pathways Program: Innovation and Leadership Discovery.
Step 2: Complete the Discovery badge on Canvas
You can complete the Discovery badge at your own pace. The modules in this micro-credential ask you to engage in foundational materials of innovation and leadership, and reflect on your strength assessment and other learning experiences. This is a fully online pathway.
Step 3: Proceed to the Connections and Change badges.
After a successful completion of the Discovery badge, you will be invited to enroll in the Connections badge program. Connections Badge modules ask you to engage in both online and in-person learning activities. If you're already involved in many programs on campus, you can incorporate them into your badge-earning process. What is special about the Connections Badge is that you get to choose your own area of specialization and earn extra digital badges, such as written communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and self-development. The Connections badge is offered throughout the year.
Step 4: Join a cohort program in the Spring semester.
After or during the Connections badge program, you can join a semester-long project-based learning opportunity to work collaboratively on a real-life problem with fellow students, faculty, and staff members. This Change badge is only offered during Spring semesters.
Step 5: Celebrate your success at an annual banquet in May.
Whether you have completed just the Discovery badge, or all the badges, all Pathways participants are invited to join the annual celebration of collective success and accomplishments. The Innovator and Leader badge will be awarded to participants who completed all three micro-credentials.
Explore some sample pathways here
Why the Pathways Program?
The purpose of the Pathways program is to enable students to develop competencies required for their careers and beyond.
Primary competencies: Innovation and Leadership
Supporting competencies: Critical thinking, Problem-solving, Self-development, Communication, Collaboration, and more.