Career Champions
Career & Internship Services (CIS) strives to support students in developing and achieving career goals that lead to meaningful work. We believe that this goal can only be achieved with the support of our dedicated campus partners (faculty and staff) as well as industry professionals who guide students as they explore majors, learn to articulate their strengths, and build professional networks.
To more publicly recognize the value of these partners, CIS is excited to announce our annual student-nominated Career Champion Award, which recognizes members of our community who intentionally impact a student’s career development.
Objectives
- To share career resources with our Career & Internship Services faculty, staff and industry partners
- To empower faculty, staff, and industry partners to see themselves as career influencers
- To increase career integration in the classroom, extracurricular activities, and informal spaces so that students can access valuable career exploration and development with multiple entry points
A total of six Career Champions will be recognized each year - one faculty/staff member each from CCAPS, CDes, and CFANS, as well as three industry professionals. Recipients will be awarded a plaque. Faculty/staff recipients from CCAPS, CDes, and CFANS will also receive a small monetary award. Career & Internship Services staff and CIS adjunct instructors are NOT eligible for this award.
Examples of how faculty, staff, and professional partners might support students in their career development journey might include:
- Sharing your own professional development journey with a student
- Conducting an informational interview with a student
- Connecting a student with someone in your professional network
- Inviting an industry professional to speak in your class
- Volunteering to speak in a class or serve as a mentor
Nomination Process
All candidates must be nominated by a current undergraduate or graduate student in one of the colleges served by CIS (CCAPS, CDes, CFANS). After the nomination deadline, a small committee consisting of Career & Internship Services staff and student workers will select the final award recipients. Award recipients will be notified in April/May.
The nomination deadline is March 7, 2025.
Questions?
Contact Brian Green at [email protected]
2025 Career Champions
CCAPS
Jeremiah Cunningham, Instructor, Construction Management
Comments from nomination: Professor Cunningham’s journey into construction was particularly unique, and his advice and life stories left a lasting impact on me—far beyond the classroom. He reassured us that it’s never too late to change career paths, sharing that he entered the construction industry and returned to school in his 30s. He emphasized that while we’re all working toward goals like building careers, attending school, or starting families, we are still young and should take the time to explore life’s possibilities without rushing to the next step. He reminded us to celebrate each accomplishment, noting that life isn’t just about moving on to the next thing, but about savoring the present moment. He encouraged us to slow down and appreciate life as we have plenty of time ahead. This especially impacted me and my career development since I felt that I was far behind most of my peers when it came to school and starting a career, but in reality, his words of advice made me realize that I am exactly where I need to be.
CDes
Rebecca Krinke, Professor, Landscape Architecture
Comments from nomination: Professor Krinke is the perfect candidate for this award. She loves to be a connector. Last year when several of my classmates were graduating and looking for full time work, Rebecca met with all of them several times during her sabbatical. She gave them advice and connected them to professionals who could help them find a job. She has been a great mentor for the masters of landscape architecture students for years. Last year when I was applying for summer internships, Rebecca connected me with one of the partners at a firm I was applying to - ultimately landing me the job.
CFANS
Morgan Bartlett, Coordinator, President’s Emerging Scholars program
Comments from nomination: Since freshman year, I had been certain that I wanted to go to veterinary school, but there were times when I wondered about other options and possibilities. Morgan would meet with me to listen to my thoughts and provide insights on how they related to some of her professional experiences, while also continuing to support my exploration and encouraging me in my goal of applying to veterinary school. Last spring, I applied to the University of Minnesota's VetFAST program, and she wrote one of my letters of recommendation. She was easily the first person I asked in making this career decision, as she had been so supportive as a mentor in career exploration.