Transcript certification programs, such as the Global Awareness, Research Experience, and Service Learning programs, are reaching their highest numbers of student involvement in University history. GAP and Service Learning have exceeded their yearly goal and Research Experience’s numbers are expected to do the same. This year 815 students were certified in the programs.

Transcript certification is an additional credential that students receive after the completion of a specialized program such as research or community service.

Linda Luckey, assistant to the provost, tracks numbers and progress of the three programs. She said the increase in students was due to student initiative. Luckey said there were a lot of students who wanted individual time with faculty and understood the value of having the extra certification of research, international issues or community service.

Luckey said she hoped the University would be adding several other certification programs, such as leadership studies, which is currently offered as a minor, in the future. Here’s a breakdown of how the University’s three certification programs work.

GAP

To earn GAP certification, students must complete two of three requirements: international experience such as study abroad, an academic component such as foreign language, or international courses and co-curricular activities such as attending exhibits or lectures with an international focus.

Jenna Hunter, GAP program coordinator, said students liked having something certifiable on their transcripts. She said it was a way for students to distinguish themselves and to enhance their resume in addition to academic work.

“They feel like it benefits them in the future,” Hunter said.

Hunter said she thought students participated in GAP to get involved in international activities on campus and to connect with other students with international interests. She said it was also important to show graduate schools and employers that a student had a basic knowledge of global issues and cross-cultural communication.

“I think in today’s world having some point of reference and having a knowledge of world history is advantageous to anyone in any field,” Hunter said.

Some students participate in the program for their own enjoyment rather than a way to enhance their resume. Ava Dinges, 2009 graduate, found a job as a TV meteorologist, and said she didn’t think her GAP certification had much of an influence on her being hired.

“So really, getting the GAP certification was more for myself because I’m interested in international affairs, rather than something to boost my resume,” Dinges said.

Dinges said that in the future she wanted to go into bilingual broadcasting, and that maybe her certification would hold more weight there.

Peter Mussatto, Osage City senior, said that when he graduates in May 2010, his certification will be invaluable. He said that he would like to work for an advertising agency and that international experiences would be an asset to agencies that work with international clients.

“Since the U.S. economy is becoming more global, I believe employers are looking for people with this kind of international experience,” Mussatto said.

GAP is open to undergraduate students of any major. Hunter said the most common majors she saw were Spanish, political science, English, business administration and psychology.

GAP certified 303 students for the 2008-2009 school year — its highest number in history. The previous year 227 students were certified and 941 students have been certified since GAP started in fall of 2004.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

The Research Experience certification process consists of coursework or a faculty-led research experience, and one independent project such as a work of art, written thesis or research project.

John Augusto, REP coordinator, said one of the most beneficial aspects of the program was the opportunity for students to do research in their department in cooperation with a faculty member. He said it gave students the opportunity to say they’ve done not only coursework, but also research.

“Whether it’s graduate school or a job, any type of employer wants someone who can walk in and say they’ve done certifiable research,” Augusto said.

The program is open to undergraduate students in more than 20 participating departments.

Augusto said many honors students, McNair Scholars and Dean’s Scholars participated in the program.

Luckey said she estimated the program’s 2008-2009 numbers at 250 students. During the 2007-2008 school year, the number was 200.

SERVICE LEARNING

Service Learning certification consists of classroom experience, an independent project, directed readings and a reflection.

According to the Center for Service Learning’s website, service learning is an educational experience in which students participate in activities that meet identified community needs.

Luckey said past service learning projects included business students helping self-employed artists and performers with their taxes, and an English class helping female inmates learn better writing skills by writing biographies.

Mark Darling, 2009 graduate, coordinated a benefit concert to raise money for Jubilee Cafe, a program through the Center for Community Outreach, for his independent project. He said the experience of the project was more important to him rather than the actual certification.

“I did not list ‘Certified in Service Learning’ in my resume,” Darling said in an e-mail. “Rather I listed ‘Community Service Project: Organized, promoted and supervised a benefit concert for a local charity.’”

Darling said that in college, he was active in several organizations but that he was most proud of his service learning project.

In the 2008-2009 school year 261 students were certified. In 2007-2008, 182 students were certified.