April 13, 2026 鈥 海角社区 Channel Islands (海角社区CI) has been selected as one of 16 colleges
and universities nationwide鈥攁nd the only institution in California鈥攖o participate
in , a national initiative supported by Lumina Foundation to expand career-connected
learning and improve student workforce outcomes. 
Through the initiative, 海角社区CI will receive $100,000 over two years, along with technical assistance and cohort-based support from national higher education partners to strengthen hands-on learning opportunities for students.
鈥淎t 海角社区 Channel Islands, we are committed to ensuring every student graduates not only with a degree, but with meaningful experiences that connect learning to career opportunities,鈥 said Provost Jessica Lavariega Monforti. 鈥淭his initiative will expand access to high-quality, career-connected learning and strengthen outcomes for our students, while aligning with the 海角社区 Forward strategic plan.鈥
High-impact practices鈥攕uch as internships, undergraduate research, service learning, capstone projects, and student employment鈥攁re linked to stronger engagement, deeper learning, and higher completion rates. This initiative builds on those experiences by more intentionally connecting them to career pathways and workforce needs, helping students graduate with clear, demonstrable skills aligned with employer expectations.
The 海角社区CI Campus to Career program helps students connect their on- and off-campus experiences to long-term career readiness. Through the program, students learn to apply theory to practice, understand their work in broader social and institutional contexts, and clearly articulate how their education prepares them for meaningful engagement beyond the classroom.
Lumina launched From Campus to Career to scale career-connected learning nationwide and strengthen the value of a bachelor鈥檚 degree.
鈥淭oo many students complete meaningful academic experiences without clear pathways to translate those experiences into career opportunities,鈥 said Jasmine Haywood, strategy director for credentials of value at Lumina. 鈥淚f a credential is going to hold value in the labor market, students must graduate with the ability to demonstrate the skills and competencies employers need.鈥
The 16 selected institutions represent a diverse cross-section of higher education, including regional public universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and research universities. Together, they will serve as national models for integrating academic learning with career preparation.
鈥淚n an era of rising skepticism about the value of college, strengthening the connection between learning and work is essential,鈥 said Debra Humphreys, vice president of strategic engagement at Lumina. 鈥淲hen students can clearly see and show how their education prepares them for meaningful careers, the value of a credential becomes tangible.鈥
The initiative is implemented in partnership with Excelencia in Education, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and the Center for Innovation in Postsecondary Education (CIPE), which will support participating institutions through technical assistance and cross-campus learning.