LDS Business College Honored as a “Model of Efficiency”

Contributed By By D. Louise Brown, LDS Business College director of public affairs

  • 5 August 2013

LDS Business College has been honored by University Business magazine's Models of Efficiency national recognition program for its new career development business model. 

Article Highlights

  • LDS Business College is being honored by University Business magazine’s Models of Efficiency national recognition program.
  • The program recognizes innovative approaches for streamlining higher education operations through technology or business process improvements.
  • LDSBC’s innovative new career development business model helps prepare students for their post-graduate job searches.

“LDSBC’s new career development business model is an industry game changer. The revamped career education program’s improvements serve as a great role model for other higher ed. institutions to follow.” —Tim Goral, senior editor of University Business

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

LDS Business College is one of eight colleges and universities nationwide being honored by University Business magazine in its summer 2013 Models of Efficiency national recognition program.

Sponsored by Higher One, a leader in providing services to higher education administrators and students at more than 1,600 campuses across the U.S., the Models of Efficiency program recognizes innovative approaches for streamlining higher education operations through technology or business process improvements.

“LDSBC’s new career development business model is an industry game changer,” said Tim Goral, senior editor of University Business. “The revamped career education program’s improvements serve as a great role model for other higher ed. institutions to follow.”

LDS Business College’s Career Services Department, staffed with 1–2 counselors, is responsible for preparing the college’s 2,200 students for the post-college job search. They help students craft résumés and cover letters and practice interviews through career preparation courses and individual appointments. The center also holds semiannual job fairs on campus, which draw around 100 students.

Challenged to reach more students more effectively, the college revamped Career Services and sought the help of the Student Development Center. Leveraging existing curricula, they focused on courses into which career preparation lessons could be incorporated. School career counselor Barbara Thompson developed 13 career development milestones and wove them into the 2012 curriculum.

New units on networking and presenting oneself professionally in person and online were added. Faculty could teach the lessons in class, assign them as homework, ask Thompson to guest teach, or send students to an on-site career development conference. Each milestone required 1–2 hours of study.

Thompson also made online career preparation resources such as YouTube videos and Lynda.com available to students and faculty, created a training course for faculty and volunteers, and centralized resources to help students better prepare for a scheduled consultation.

In 2012 the college abandoned the career fair model and created the Career Development Conference, working with faculty, HR professionals, and local industry experts to provide more useful instruction and connections. The two-day event, which replaced classes, attracted 2,000 students.

Now students are taught how to fix their own résumés and they prepare for counseling sessions by watching videos and completing online modules in advance. Spreading responsibility for preparing students for careers throughout the college curriculum has increased student involvement in the process and enhanced the quality of the services they receive, without adding staff or technology.

In addition to LDS Business College, summer 2013 Models of Efficiency honorees include American Public University System (West Virginia), which is being honored for two efforts; Carthage College (Wisconsin); Ivy Tech Community College (Indiana); the University of Oklahoma; Royal Roads University (Canada); Texas A&M Health Science Center; and Walsh College (Michigan).

Models of Efficiency is an ongoing recognition program. Higher education institutions can participate in upcoming rounds by visiting www.universitybusiness.com/moe.

The program is sponsored by Higher One, a leading company that offers a wide array of technological services on campus, ranging from streamlining the institution’s performance analytics and financial aid refund processes to offering students innovative banking services, tuition payment plans, and the basics of financial management. Higher One works closely with colleges and universities to allocate resources more efficiently to provide a higher quality of service and education to students.

“The summer 2013 Models of Efficiency honorees have shown tremendous creativity, collaboration, and insight in their efforts to streamline and improve operations,” said Miles Lasater, president and CEO of Higher One. “We are proud to stand with University Business to support and recognize these higher ed. institutions for their successful efforts.”

University Business is the leading publication for senior managers at colleges and universities throughout the United States, reaching 82,000 leaders who manage enrollment, technology, business, finance, facilities, and academic affairs. More information is available at www.universitybusiness.com.

Founded in 2000 on a college campus by students, Higher One now serves more than half of the higher education market, providing its services to over 1,600 campuses and more than 13 million students at distinguished public and private institutions nationwide. More information about Higher One can be found at HigherOne.com.

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