In June, Willamette University’s Career Center received another national award in recognition of the quality of its services and programs.
Director Jerry Houser believes that Career Services has earned more national awards and recognitions in the past five years than any other university in the country.
“It’s not only a testament to the hard work and creativity of our staff, but of Willamette’s great culture where we are encouraged to experiment and push boundaries without fear of failure,” he says.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the Mountain Pacific Association of Colleges and Employers (MPACE) granted the following awards:
• Chevron Award — Received in June from NACE, the industry’s highest award recognizes Willamette’s Passport to Professionalism program.
• Career Services Excellence Award, finalist — Willamette earned praise from NACE for its efforts in creating a three-tiered vocational and career preparation model that guides students through four years of college.
• Two 3i Innovation awards by MPACE and the NACE Technology award — These honors recognized creative use of technology in the university’s Career Roadmap, Passport to Professionalism and Don’t Cancel That Class programs.
Houser has consulted with, visited and made presentations to Willamette faculty and staff about his office’s services. He and his staff have also presented at every NACE and MPACE conference during the past four years, and they’re working with other universities interested in replicating Willamette’s programs.