On September 30, 2024, the students at PNW were witnessed around a baja car while one of them was sitting in the driver’s seat, another one was crouched down, leaning against the car, and the third one was standing behind the car. This is no unusual sight at the PNW campus, where co-curricular involvement is considered an essential part of student life.
Research shows that students at PNW who participate actively in campus events outside the classroom, tend to enhance their personal and academic success. As a way to encourage this, the Office of Student Life at PNW has come up with the Co-Curricular Record (CCR).
The CCR has been rolled out as a part of a statewide program across all colleges and universities of Indiana. The main idea is to promote a new generation of students, providing them with valuable experiences for their future workplace.
The CCR is a detailed and university-approved record of all the facilitated activities that students partake in throughout their time at PNW. Through this unique program, students are given a unique platform to explore opportunities for involvement in campus activities and events. The CCR also enhances their classroom learning by recording students’ participation and learning outcomes in various activities.
Apart from contributing to personal growth, the CCR program offers a range of benefits to students, such as tracking personal growth, providing a real record of campus involvement, identifying the skills developed through co-curricular activities, and providing a tool for students to market themselves: giving them an edge when applying for jobs or graduate schools.
One exciting aspect of the CCR is that students can earn digital badges to display the skills and knowledge they have obtained through their involvement in different co-curricular activities and events. The badges can then be shared on their LinkedIn profiles and with future employers.
The available badges are quite diverse and interesting, such as the “Career Ready Badge,” which acknowledges students who demonstrate good workplace habits. The “Community Service Badge” is for those who use their acquired skills and knowledge for the benefit of others. In addition, there are badges like the “Diversity and Cultural Competency Badge,” “Global Engagement Badge,” “Health and Wellness Badge,” “Leadership Badge,” and “Campus Engagement Badge”.
It’s not uncommon for students to be unaware that they are already working on earning these badges. By checking their progress on their CCR, they can not only monitor their progress but also target specific badges.
In the pursuit of promoting co-curricular activities and events, the role of faculty and staff remains crucial. Their active participation ensures ample student engagement and provides a count of student attendance at various events.
Furthermore, serving as an advisor for a Registered Student Organization (RSO) provides another opportunity for faculty members to connect with students on a deeper level and contribute to their development. Advisors guide student groups towards success and substantial growth.
The Office of Student Life at PNW strongly encourages full-time, benefits-eligible faculty and staff to act as RSO advisors. They are also building a catalog of advisors that student organizations can refer to if the current RSO is incapable of continuing in their role. By doing so, the PNW intends to shape the future leaders effectively. For any additional information, individuals are suggested to contact the Student Life office.
