Mandel Grant

Mandel foundation logo

Mandel Grant at NOVA: Humanities to Career

NOVA has been awarded a three-year, grant by the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation to establish a Humanities to Career Program. Through the grant we are strengthening the humanities/liberal arts (HLA) pathways at NOVA with intentional career-based programming.

How did we begin and where are we heading?

LASS faculty employ innovative approaches to provide equitable access to affordable and exceptional higher education and workforce programs. We are driven to transform the lives of our students and advancing opportunities in our communities, as a result we are embracing the questions: What are the liberal arts and social science related career opportunities in this region and how can we expand our student’s access to those opportunities?

We know students often have four goals:

  1. Obtaining new knowledge and skills
  2. Creating influence and leverage by earning a credential (or more), expanding access to employment and transfer opportunities
  3. Transferring to a four-year college and/or finding gainful employment.
    Through the Mandel Humanities to Careers grant, we will dedicate the next three years to building stronger connections for LASS majors to the region’s employers and enhancing student awareness of the skills required to succeed in today’s job market.
  4. Community.
    We began by identifying industry leaders to support the work of developing career readiness initiatives for our students. Regional industry leaders with connections to LASS program plans were asked to identify key durable skills required to find workplace success in their respective industries.Based that the feedback, faculty began developing programming to prepare students for the capstone experience: a micro-internship.

Areas of focus

Students in group study

What is a Micro-internship?

Micro-internships are short-term, project-based professional assignments offered by employers from a wide variety of industries to college students.

NOVA has partnered with Parker Dewey, a nationally recognized leader in the field of micro-internships.

The micro-internship will be the capstone experience and offer unique shorter-term, real-world projects. Before and during the micro-internships, student participants will strengthen durable skills as well as technical skills. Students will add portfolio building skills and experiences to their resumes.

Languages, Arts and Social Sciences (LASS)
Career and Leadership Readiness Institute (CLRI)

Students in library

The LASS Career and Leadership Readiness Institute (LASS-CLRI) is a dynamic in-person and virtual professional development experience. Through workshops and information sessions, students will network with regional industry leaders as they share details about their respective industries and the skills required for workplace success.

Workshops for the Fall:

  • Careers in museums
  • Careers in philanthropy and development
  • Careers in federal work: A State Department professional provides insights and resources
  • Careers in interior design
  • Careers in media: Sinclair Broadcast Group and the many roles behind the camera
  • Workplace expectations
  • Preparing for micro-internships
  • Customer Service 101
  • Mock Interviews

Languages, Arts and Social Sciences (LASS)
Micro-credentials 

Student on campus

The LASS faculty are pleased to offer micro-credentials.

What is a micro-credential? A micro-credential is a short, competency-based learning experience. At NOVA, students may earn micro-credentials through designated course assignments as well as through participation in our CLRI workshops. The micro-credentials are a form of recognition students may earn as they explore topics connected with a career based, durable skills. 

Defining workplace qualities. What are durable skills? Many local and national organizations are giving considerable time and energy to the discussion and implementation of skill-based initiatives to support today and tomorrow’s workforce. Terminology like: employability skills, soft skills, technical skills and durable skills are often used to describe similar professional attributes. We like the definition offered by America Succeeds: Durable Skills include a combination of how you use what you know – skills like critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity as well as character skills like fortitude, growth mindset and leaderships. 

Contact Us

Questions?

Contact Nicole Evans at nevans@nvcc.edu

About the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation

Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel established their first foundation in 1953 in their hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Their philanthropic legacy is continued through the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation.

The work of the Foundations is grounded in the belief that exceptional leaders, inspired by powerful ideas, are key to improving society and the lives of people around the world. The Foundations have identified five areas of engagement that receive support, which include: leadership development, management of nonprofits, humanities, Jewish life and urban engagement.

For more information, please visit their website.