Morehead State faculty and students benefit from Level UP program
Through its Level UP program, Morehead State University ensures graduates are prepared for career success. MSU faculty helps mentor students to become career-ready by providing hands-on opportunities in courses that build the critical skills employers are looking for in new hires.
Level UP program students agree that the courses prepare them for career success. Last academic year, 800 students improved their career readiness by taking one of more than 60 Level UP courses taught by 50 faculty and staff members.
Taylor Bishop, a junior from Greensburg double-majoring in history and political science, had the opportunity to study abroad in Hungary and Romania over spring break.
"I undoubtedly think because of this opportunity to take a Level UP class, I got the push I needed to develop more professional critical thinking skills that my career goals of working for the state department are no longer an 'if' but a 'when,'" he said.
Regardless of their major, students are motivated and engaged when they can apply the theories they learn in the classroom in a hands-on way.
Isabella Gilvin, a senior early elementary education major from Maysville, said one standout project from the semester involved collaborating with classmates on a social studies poster and craft activity to engage elementary students and their families at Tilden Hogge Elementary School's Kentucky History Night.
"Seeing the excitement and engagement on the students' faces as they created their own banjos was truly heartwarming. It was a moment of genuine connection and shared creativity, knowing that our efforts had made a positive impact on their learning experience. This hands-on interaction reinforced the importance of education and community engagement for me, leaving me feeling satisfied and with purpose," Gilvin said.
"My education Level UP service-learning and teamwork-focused course served as a cornerstone in my academic journey, pushing me outside of my comfort zone and providing me with invaluable experiences that have undoubtedly shaped my future career plans."
Faculty and staff who teach Level UP courses and provide support were recognized at a ceremony last month. The event highlighted the achievements of students and the experiences they’ve gained through the program.
Megan Boone, director of the Center for Career Development & Experiential Education and co-director of the Level UP program, said the game changer is that faculty also teach students to articulate their skills through an interview response technique called the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) Method so that students are prepared to impress in an interview situation."
"Level UP faculty are to be applauded for their work as the results show that students enrolled in these courses are improving skills in ways that employers value," Boone said
Level UP is an initiative to ensure students can engage in experiences that prepare them for success, including undergraduate research, education abroad, service learning, and internships within the courses in their major. The courses further focus on building in-demand career skills like oral communication, written communication, professionalism, critical thinking, and teamwork. Level UP further focuses on training students to convey evidence of these career skills that are highly desirable to employers across disciplines.
For more information on the Level UP program, contact the Center for Career Development & Experiential Education at levelup@moreheadstate.edu or 606-783-2233.
