Before the semester wrapped up, MTSU’s Career Development Center held its inaugural Career Influencer Awards luncheon to recognize the community’s career influencers and advisers.

Six MTSU faculty members as well as one employer partner were presented with awards for their outstanding commitment to the professional development of Middle Tennessee State University students. Those attending included award winners and members of the internal and external Career Advisory Boards.

MTSU’s Career Development Center recognized six faculty members and one employer partner during its its inaugural Career Influencer Awards luncheon held April 27 at the MT Center in the Ingram Building. Pictured, from left, are 2021-2022 winners are Leah Soule, English lecturer; Laura Buckner, master marketing instructor; employer partner Nikki Little of Enterprise Holdings; Beka Crocket, director, MTSU Career Development Center; David Clark, health and human performance instructor; Carla Hatfield, university studies instructor; and Brandon Grubbs, health and human performance assistant professor. Not pictured is awardee Richard Moffett, psychology professor. (Submitted photo)

The award winners for 2021-2022 are David Clark, instructor in the Health and Human Performance Department; Brandon Grubbs, assistant professor in Health and Human Performance; Carla Hatfield, instructor in University Studies; Richard Moffett, professor in the Psychology Department; Laura Buckner, master instructor in the Marketing Department; Leah Soule, lecturer in the English Department; and employer partner Nikki Little, talent acquisition manager for Enterprise Holdings.

In addition, Chase Poole and Jason Wasilewski, two student employees at the Career Development Center, were recognized for their accomplishments during their time at MTSU, and for their upcoming graduation.

Along with the awards presented, Career Development Center Director Beka Crocket announced the launch of Career 365, a new initiative that empowers both career influencers and students to engage in career conversations even outside of a professional office.

Career 365 puts a focus on the fact that many students begin career conversations with MTSU faculty and/or staff members before coming to the Career Development Center. To bridge the gap between students and the center, “it was imperative to create a network of professionals who are willing and ready to encourage students to learn more about their career competencies and take full advantage of their professional skills,” Crocket said.

Beka Crocket, director of the MTSU Career Development Center, discusses the new Career 365 initiative during the center’s its inaugural Career Influencer Awards luncheon held April 27 at the MT Center in the Ingram Building. The new initiative empowers both career influencers and students to engage in career conversations even outside of a professional office. (Submitted photo)

“With the rising cost of higher education, the emphasis on return of investment for a degree is increasing. In addition, 64% of students state that a professor was a mentor to them during college and an additional 10% identified a university staff member as a mentor. The need to have the Career Development Center work closely with faculty and staff to provide the most up to date resources, trends, data and information is becoming more and more apparent.”

The April 27 recognition luncheon, held at the MT Center inside the Ingram Building, provided important information on the future of career development, as well as an opportunity for growing the career influencer network.

Those who are interested in becoming career influencers and participating in future events are encouraged to visit the Career Development Center website at https://mtsu.edu/career/career365.php  to learn more about their possible role.

— Story by Rebekah Barnard and Jimmy Hart