The Program Partners Initiative was launched by the IUP Career and Professional Development Center in spring 2021 and was deemed a success by students and CPDC staff. The program was designed to provide student clubs, organizations, and athletic teams a chance to partner on career-related events and programs that the CPDC hosts during the academic year.

Any recognized student organization or team is eligible to participate by signing up via a Qualtrics form sent out at the start of each semester. Groups are able to select the date and program they want to participate as a Program Partner, then are asked to promote the program to their members, others, and on social media. In return, the CPDC recognizes groups in marketing materials and at the event.

Since it started, it has been a great way for the CPDC to partner and interact with a variety of organizations across campus. “We are very fortunate to have had such a positive response to our Program Partners Initiative since its inception in spring 2021,” said Kelsey Thompson, associate director of IUP CPDC. “Organizations and teams have been fantastic to work with, and we have seen an increase in engagement and attendance at our programming since launching it.”

During its first semester in spring 2021, seven organizations participated and this past fall, 12 organizations participated. This spring, the CPDC has 13 different events that organizations can choose from.

CPDC Director Tammy Manko remains excited about this program sharing. “We started this initiative in response to student organizations reaching out to ask if they could cosponsor our programs. ‘Program Partners’ seemed like a good approach to having student organizations and their members involved in engaging, career-relevant programming. We remain excited about this initiative and love that we see other departments on campus using this idea to promote their programs as well!”

For more information about the IUP Career and Professional Development Center and its programs and events, please call 724-357-2235, email career-development@iup.edu, or check out the Career and Professional Development Center website.