California Baptist University Enhances Career Development with Modern Woodmen Partnership
California Baptist University (CBU) in Riverside, California, has recently made significant strides in enhancing career services for its students. The university has officially renamed its Career Center to the Center for Career and Professional Development, reflecting its commitment to offering more than just job placements. The change underscores the importance of a holistic approach to professional growth, which integrates skills development that students need before, during, and after obtaining their first jobs.
Respected representatives announced this strategic upgrade on September 2, 2026, during a grand opening event where Lisa Blair, the director of the new center, emphasized that professional development should be viewed as a transformative process, rather than just transactional. She pointed out that the skills acquired through this journey are crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in today’s workforce.
The Center for Career and Professional Development is set to provide a wide array of services to students, including personalized career assessments, one-on-one appointments, and comprehensive reviews of résumés and cover letters. Additionally, students will receive guidance on creating and optimizing their LinkedIn profiles, participate in mock interviews, and gain access to tools for internship and job searches. This academic year alone, the center has recorded over 4,260 student appointments and facilitated 1,550 mock interviews. Moreover, nine career fairs attracted 951 employers, thus enhancing students' opportunities to engage with diverse industries.
As part of its initiative for continuous improvement, the center is planning to launch a new one-unit elective course titled "Foundations of Career Readiness" in spring 2027. This course will encompass essential topics such as professional decision-making, personal branding, networking strategies, and interviewing techniques, further enriching students' readiness for the job market.
The partnership with Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial is a notable highlight of the university’s effort to bolster student career preparation. This collaboration traces back to 2018, when Modern Woodmen first participated in CBU’s career fairs. The managing director of Modern Woodmen, Bennett L. Sperber III, articulated the alignment between the organization's values and those upheld by CBU. He praised the students for their preparedness and understanding of employer expectations, signifying why CBU is a logical choice for Modern Woodmen to invest in ongoing relationships.
Dr. Charles D. Sands, CBU’s provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, echoed this sentiment by emphasizing that student success is the ultimate goal of all initiatives undertaken by the university. He acknowledged that while CBU strives to provide educational excellence, it is also critical for students to prepare for their post-graduation journeys, which extends beyond classroom learning. The cohesive collaboration with community partners, such as Modern Woodmen, facilitates opportunities for students to cultivate professional competencies and establish meaningful connections—key elements for their future success.
Founded in 1950, California Baptist University stands as the largest Christian university in California, offering a robust selection of over 106 undergraduate and 44 graduate programs, as well as 11 doctoral programs, available both on-campus and online.
Modern Woodmen of America, established in 1883 and headquartered in Rock Island, Illinois, is a fraternal financial services entity that serves nearly 700,000 members across the nation. The organization specializes in life insurance, annuities, and retirement planning, while also actively investing in community initiatives and fraternal programs.
Respected representatives announced this strategic upgrade on September 2, 2026, during a grand opening event where Lisa Blair, the director of the new center, emphasized that professional development should be viewed as a transformative process, rather than just transactional. She pointed out that the skills acquired through this journey are crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in today’s workforce.
The Center for Career and Professional Development is set to provide a wide array of services to students, including personalized career assessments, one-on-one appointments, and comprehensive reviews of résumés and cover letters. Additionally, students will receive guidance on creating and optimizing their LinkedIn profiles, participate in mock interviews, and gain access to tools for internship and job searches. This academic year alone, the center has recorded over 4,260 student appointments and facilitated 1,550 mock interviews. Moreover, nine career fairs attracted 951 employers, thus enhancing students' opportunities to engage with diverse industries.
As part of its initiative for continuous improvement, the center is planning to launch a new one-unit elective course titled "Foundations of Career Readiness" in spring 2027. This course will encompass essential topics such as professional decision-making, personal branding, networking strategies, and interviewing techniques, further enriching students' readiness for the job market.
The partnership with Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial is a notable highlight of the university’s effort to bolster student career preparation. This collaboration traces back to 2018, when Modern Woodmen first participated in CBU’s career fairs. The managing director of Modern Woodmen, Bennett L. Sperber III, articulated the alignment between the organization's values and those upheld by CBU. He praised the students for their preparedness and understanding of employer expectations, signifying why CBU is a logical choice for Modern Woodmen to invest in ongoing relationships.
Dr. Charles D. Sands, CBU’s provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, echoed this sentiment by emphasizing that student success is the ultimate goal of all initiatives undertaken by the university. He acknowledged that while CBU strives to provide educational excellence, it is also critical for students to prepare for their post-graduation journeys, which extends beyond classroom learning. The cohesive collaboration with community partners, such as Modern Woodmen, facilitates opportunities for students to cultivate professional competencies and establish meaningful connections—key elements for their future success.
Founded in 1950, California Baptist University stands as the largest Christian university in California, offering a robust selection of over 106 undergraduate and 44 graduate programs, as well as 11 doctoral programs, available both on-campus and online.
Modern Woodmen of America, established in 1883 and headquartered in Rock Island, Illinois, is a fraternal financial services entity that serves nearly 700,000 members across the nation. The organization specializes in life insurance, annuities, and retirement planning, while also actively investing in community initiatives and fraternal programs.
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