On Oct. 31, 2025, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) was officially honored with a Career-Connected Campus designation from the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE).  

This designation marks a significant milestone in the university’s long-standing commitment to student career readiness, reflecting years of coordinated effort to prepare students for success after graduation. It was made possible by the work of UNC’s Center for Career Readiness in collaboration with over 50 faculty and staff from across campus. Leaders of the Committee Task Force included Chris Marston, Ph.D., Clare Buttry, Diana Saade and Colleen Sonnentag, Ph.D., as well as Tim Nellett, director of Career and Experiential Learning at UNC. For Nellett, this designation is significant for students at all stages, from prospective Bears to current students and alumni. 

Nellett commented, “For our Bears who aren't already utilizing the Center for Career Readiness or connecting with others across campus who can support their career development, this designation showcases the level of dedication our center, staff and faculty have to tying the college experience to real career readiness.”  

Examples of student support include engaging in career fairs, developing career competencies through coursework and gaining valuable on-the-job experience through internships and student employment. The Center for Career Readiness also uses Handshake, a job and internship search platform designed for institutions of higher education, to help Bears find opportunities. 

 “It all ties into career readiness,” said Nellett. 

Nellett added that earning the Career Connected Campus designation gives UNC a platform to strengthen its message to prospective students, their families and their support networks. The designation allows the university to highlight its commitment to the return on investment of a college education, now backed by statewide recognition of its career readiness efforts.  

Looking ahead, Nellett affirmed that his team at the Center for Career Readiness will continue to deepen partnerships with New Student Orientation and Alumni Relations to reinforce a strong career readiness pipeline from the moment students arrive through their transition into the post-grad world.  

Additionally, on the faculty side, Nellett promised continued expansion of the Career Readiness Faculty Fellows program — a yearlong professional development opportunity funded by the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) and the Lumina Foundation. Its purpose is to help faculty intentionally integrate career readiness skills into their courses so that students are better prepared for life after graduation. This popular and rapidly growing program launched with a cohort of eight faculty members in 2024 and expanded to 30 faculty in 2025.  

“[The growth of the Faculty Fellows program] speaks volumes to how our faculty understand the importance of connecting careers to the curriculum and better preparing students for entering the world of work after graduation,” Nellett said. “When bringing career readiness into the classroom, faculty don't ask why they should get involved; they ask how. I think that illustrates the importance of this work across campus, and how on board our faculty are to help build career-ready Bears.” 

Furthermore, Nellett sees UNC playing a direct role in meeting Colorado’s workforce needs, particularly as the university prepares to launch the proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine. Due to population increases and an aging physician workforce, the state and nation alike are facing physician shortages that will worsen over the next decade. As of 2025, only 34.6% of Colorado’s demand for physicians is currently being met.  

The creation of the medical school at UNC will aid in addressing that gap while building on the strength of the university’s existing health sciences programs, like its nationally-ranked Nursing program. With substantial state investment and strong community support, UNC is poised to expand its ability to provide career-connected learning at a moment when it is critically needed.  

Nellett emphasized that many UNC students come from Colorado and remain here after graduation, meaning that the university is not only educating students but also helping build a well-trained and well-prepared workforce in Colorado.  

As UNC celebrates its recognition as a Career Connected Campus, the university is leaning into the momentum it has built and doubling down on its commitment to student success. For Nellett and the many partners invested in this work, the designation is a catalyst that will continue to guide the university’s mission to graduate career-ready Bears who are prepared to thrive in their communities and professions.