A Renovated Home for the Impact Center

Muskingum University's Impact Center began the 2024-2025 academic year in newly renovated and expanded space on the second floor of the Quad Center. Funded through a Department of Education Title III Strengthening Institutions grant, the transformation provides increased accessibility and enhanced delivery of career preparation programming.

"The renovations have created a new space for centralized career development, community connections, and workforce partnerships," said Molly Dunn, Executive Director of the Impact Center. "Previously, elements of the Impact Center were housed in various locations across the campus. This investment in bringing everything together demonstrates the University's distinctive commitment to comprehensively preparing students for the workforce."

The Impact Center's home now includes a learning lab, state-of-the art meeting and workshop spaces, and a virtual interview room offering a private, quiet, and professional space for students to engage with prospective employers and internship providers. Upgraded technology includes new software that aids students with career planning and can be accessed at any time from any location.

"The Impact Center is also the hub and catalyst for providing students with high-impact experiences such as work-related learning, civic engagement, research, leadership development, and study away," Ms. Dunn said. "We connect with faculty and facilitate these opportunities, which help students translate their skills into career competencies and articulate them to potential employers."

During the Fall 2024 semester, the Impact Center will offer more than 30 career development programs, including the annual Khanna Career Connections Conference.

Upcoming events, many of which feature Muskingum alumni sharing their expertise and advice. The programs include:

• First Friday Professional Headshots - the first Friday of each month, students can receive a free professional headshot for uploading to digital career platforms.
• Professional Development Workshops and Lunch and Learn sessions on a wide variety of career development topics.
• Professional Clothing Pop-Ups where students find free, gently used professional clothing and accessories to help them look and feel their best when attending interviews, career fairs, networking events, and other career-related activities.
• Career Conversations - on the last Friday of each month, students can drop in without an appointment for informal career conversations and advice.
• Ask Me Anything - virtual alumni panels on career focused topics.
• Annual Professional Etiquette Dinner where students practice their social skills, with alumni and local business and industry partners serving as table hosts.