Monmouth College is expanding opportunities for students through the brand-new Monmouth Edge: President’s Innovation Fund for Career & Credentials program, which was created to enhance the student experience through innovative credentials, career preparation, and new pathways to student success.
There are seven projects within the program, giving students the opportunity for either a credential if completed or an internship. Among the projects is the Information Literacy Foundations and Micro credential Framework, developed by Sarah Henderson and Ryan Colclasure. The credential will lead students through six modules based on the concepts of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. Students will explore core concepts, practice applying their knowledge, and synthesize information from both empirical and AI-derived sources.
“Information literacy is an essential skill that helps students locate, evaluate, and use information effectively, not only during their academic career but in their everyday lives,” said Professor Ryan Colclasure.
The credential was created to help students get the tools necessary to help them succeed in any career. This project was created to impact students not only during their time at Monmouth, but also in their everyday lives.
“This micro credential will help students to navigate through a complex and ever-changing digital world, including the rapidly changing world of AI,” Colclasure said.
The Information Literacy Foundations initiative is just one of several projects selected through the Monmouth Edge. Other projects include internships in art, marketing, strength and conditioning, sports information, and even the chance to do marketing for our very own spirit store, Tartan Threads. There is also another credential within the Communications Department headed by Professor Chris Goble.
The Media Toolkit Certificate and Media Savvy Badge will provide students with opportunities to gain practical experience in media creation, including radio, video and journalism. Students who complete the communication practicum sequence will automatically earn the badge.
“The more in your toolkit across the board, the more experience you have, the more things that you can show them that you can do, the more desirable you are to them,” Goble said.
The Media Savvy Badge is designed to be accessible to students across majors. Students who earn the badge will be able to share it on their LinkedIn as well as include it on their resume.
“To use an old saying, you know how the sausage is made. When you understand how the sausage is made, you better understand the thing, whatever it is, and can make better choices,” said Goble.
Together, these seven projects work to reflect Monmouth’s commitment to providing students with additional opportunities to develop practical skills and prepare for successful futures.
The Monmouth Edge projects in place for this semester are…
Information Literacy Foundations and Micro credential Framework– Sarah Henderson and Ryan Colclasure
Media Toolkit Certificate & Media Savvy Badge – Chris Goble
Art Internship: Mural Painting – Janis Wunderlich and AJ Furness
Marketing Communications and Sports Information Apprenticeship Program – Keri Dodson, Nathan Baliva and Chris Goble
Strength & Conditioning Internship Program – Neil Mecagni and Sean Schumm
Tartan Threads Marketing Internship – Amanda Pilger and Tom Prince
Athletic Department Strength & Conditioning Initiative – Neil Mecagni and Roger Haynes
For more information on a specific project, contact the above listed organizers. Another round of Monmouth Edge projects will be announced in January.
