Encouraging student involvement outside the classroom

Co-curricular involvement is an important part of the student experience at PNW. Studies have shown students who actively engage in campus activities outside the classroom enhance their personal and academic success. To help students find, track and recognize their involvement in co-curricular activities and programs, PNW’s Office of Student Life has developed the Co-Curricular Record (CCR).

“This initiative is part of a statewide program across Indiana’s colleges and universities,” says Jinai Gordon, director of Student Life. “It’s aimed at fostering a new generation of students equipped with valuable experiences for the workplace.”

The CCR is a personalized, university-approved record of facilitated activities that students participate in throughout their time at PNW. The program, accessible through MyPNWLife, helps students explore opportunities for involvement in campus activities and events that will complement and enhance classroom learning. It then captures and records, in an official university document, the student’s participation and learning outcomes in those activities, which can then be used in furthering their employment and educational goals.

This program provides numerous benefits to students, including tracking personal growth and encouraging reflection; providing a tangible record of campus involvement; identifying skills gained through co-curricular activities; offering a directory of activities and events to participate in; motivating students to get involved on campus; and providing a tool to market themselves to employers or graduate schools.

Within the CCR, students are able to earn digital badges that showcase the skills and knowledge gained through participation in various co-curricular activities and events. These badges can be shared on their LinkedIn profiles and with future employers.

Badges available include:

• Career Ready Badge: Recognizes students who practice workplace habits that make them sought-after employees.
• Community Service Badge: Recognizes students who apply their PNW-acquired skills and knowledge in service of others.
• Diversity and Cultural Competency Badge: Recognizes students who demonstrate a commitment to respecting the diversity of the human experience and rights of others.
• Global Engagement Badge: Recognizes students who challenge themselves to learn about other cultures.
• Health and Wellness Badge: Recognizes students who work towards developing healthy habits through physical and mental health and wellness.
• Leadership Badge: Recognizes students who engage as leaders in the campus community.
• Campus Engagement Badge: Recognizes students that actively participate in campus events, are part of an organization and help build a strong campus community.

Several badge categories have sub-badges that can also be earned. Students may not realize they are already working on fulfilling badges for their co-curricular record. However, they can find and edit their CCR through MyPNWLife.

“Faculty and staff participation is vital in supporting our students’ growth and development,” says Gordon. “Entering programs and events into myPNWLife will ensure student attendance is counted toward various badges.”

Encouraging students to participate in co-curricular activities and events that contribute to their personal and professional growth is another way to make an impact, as well as serving as an advisor for a Registered Student Organization (RSO). Advisors have a chance to engage with students on a deeper level and play a crucial role in supporting student leadership and development and guiding student groups to success.

PNW’s Office of Student Life is actively seeking full-time, benefits-eligible faculty and staff to serve as RSO advisors. In addition, they are building a catalog of advisors that student organizations can turn to if the current RSO is unable to continue in the role. If interested in helping shape the future leaders of PNW, complete the New RSO Advisors Interest Form. For additional information, visit pnw.edu/student-life or contact the Student Life office at studentlife@pnw.edu or (219) 989-2148.