In its ongoing efforts to develop students into confident, ethical leaders as per its strategic plan, Wittenberg University is excited to announce that its Career Engagement operation will become the Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD). This new center, which will include 1:1 counseling and assessment, begins operations today, Oct. 1.

Grounded in Wittenberg’s Lutheran tradition as an ELCA-affiliated institution, the CPPD will include the same career engagement support historically provided, as well as new additional coaching to help students explore their purpose and discern their calling. The new center will also offer structured and informal opportunities for self-reflection, conversations about vocation and calling, goal setting, and skill-building. Group coaching sessions, workshops, guest speakers, identity-building activities, and professional, experiential-learning opportunities will be among the available options in the new CPPD.

“Through the CPPD, we are deepening and expanding our support for students as they discover their calling, develop their purpose, and prepare for their future career and a life of meaning and purpose,” said President Christian M. M. Brady.

Within the CPPD, staff will work closely with students as they explore their calling, while also building skills and competencies for future employment opportunities.

“Thinking about life after Wittenberg can be difficult for students because their focus is on navigating current Wittenberg classes, sports, engagement in organizations, and more. Our strategy is to introduce this important work of discernment and career preparation to students before their junior and senior years,” said Vice President and Dean of Student Engagement Joi Garrett Scales, who led this initiative.

Committed to cross-campus collaboration, the CPPD expects to work closely with the new Office of Campus Ministries, along with the Office of Alumni Engagement, the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Civic and Urban Engagement, and COMPASS: Sweet Success Center.

Currently located in the Thomas Library next to COMPASS, the CPPD is planning to move eventually to the first floor of Krieg Hall. The move will provide CPPD staff with adequate office spaces, a dedicated conference room for student and external partner meetings, and interview spaces, as well as room to hold small and medium-sized workshops and events.

To support the integrated work underway, Wittenberg has begun the search process for a CPPD director and the associate director of external partnerships/lead PPD coach. To apply or learn more, visit www.wittenberg.edu and search for employment opportunities.