Rebel Career Champions Network
Empower students for success!
What is the Rebel Career Champions Network?
The 51ԹϺ Rebel Career Champions Network (RCCN) is dedicated to providing intentional and scalable career development resources by leveraging the relationships between faculty, staff, administrators, and student leaders. We aim to support student success by integrating the Career Everywhere initiative, which focuses on fostering a campus culture where career readiness is a shared goal, and students are equipped with the skills and knowledge to thrive in their chosen professions. The RCCN, composed of a network of trained Career Champions, offers guidance to elevate student experiences and encourage successful transitions into post-secondary careers.
“Career-ready graduates contribute significantly to a region's economy by filling in-demand jobs and stimulating innovation.”
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
Objectives
- Integrate career conversations and professional development experiences into the curriculum and co-curricular activities throughout the student lifecycle.
- Provide consistent, accessible, and engaging career readiness support to all students inclusively and equitably.
- Equip staff, student leaders, and faculty with career readiness resources, trends, and data to aid in students’ career exploration and preparation for career success.
- Standardize language for discussing career-related topics, life design, and workforce-aligned academic experiences.
- Promote and support available career and professional development resources to students.
Structure & Leadership
Chairs
The network is led by up to three chairs, all 51ԹϺ faculty and staff experts in career development. They provide leadership, direct network goals, lead steering committee meetings, consult with university leaders to advance initiatives, and make an impact on Career Everywhere at 51ԹϺ.
- Jenna Heath, Director of Student and Community Engagement, College of Liberal Arts
- Maggie Hausbeck, Assistant Dean of External Relations, College of Hospitality
- Kass Moore, Director of Career & Life Design, Career Services & Workforce Development
Steering Committee
The steering committee comprises professionals from across campus dedicated to advancing career and life design at 51ԹϺ. They support the chairs in decision-making, facilitate planning and operations, and develop strategies to boost RCCN engagement across campus.
- Eileen McGarry, Executive Director of Career Services, Career Services & Workforce Development
- Janelle Yasukochi, Academic Advising Coordinator, Office of the Associate Vice Provost for Student and Academic Success
- Nicole Hudson, Executive Director of Workforce Education, Career Services & Workforce Development
- Jake Thompson, Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and High-Impact Practices
- Karen Violanti, Executive Director of First-Year Experience, Office of the Associate Vice Provost for Student and Academic Success
- Lindsay Erdem, Campus Relations Manager and Part-Time Instructor, Office of Online Education
Sub Committees
Liaisons are assigned to subcommittees to help the network achieve its goals at 51ԹϺ. These 4 areas are critical in ensuring that Career Everywhere is possible at 51ԹϺ.
The Resources Subcommittee focuses on developing intentional, scalable career development resources and opportunities by leveraging relationships among faculty, staff, administrators, and student leaders. This subcommittee aims to expand RCCN liaisons on campus and provide accessible career and professional development tools and resources to faculty and staff campus-wide.
The Curriculum and Internship Subcommittee of the 51ԹϺ Rebel Career Champions Network (RCCN) is dedicated to providing intentional, scalable career development resources and opportunities throughout the curriculum. We strive to enhance student experiences by creating a scaffolded approach to career development that aligns with identified career competencies. By enriching existing programs and building additional internship and experiential learning opportunities, we aim to educate students about these experiences and ensure accessibility for all.
The External Engagement Subcommittee builds industry partnerships to enhance career exploration and readiness activities for students. It focuses on expanding RCCN liaisons on campus and collaborating with external partners to offer intentional, scalable career development resources and opportunities for students.
The Student Subcommittee of the 51ԹϺ Rebel Career Champions Network (RCCN) is dedicated to empowering students by fostering a culture of career readiness and professional growth. We aim to provide accessible, intentional, and scalable career development resources and opportunities that enhance student engagement and support successful transitions into post-secondary careers. Through collaboration with peers, faculty, and community partners, we seek to cultivate a network of experiential learning, mentorship, and skill-building that equips students with the competencies needed to thrive in their future endeavors.
What It Means to Be an RCCN Liaison
Engage with RCCN
- Participate in events and meetings.
- Share ideas, best practices, and career opportunities with other liaisons.
- Post upcoming events and career opportunities in the RCCN Google Group/Google Chat.
- Stay informed by reading and responding to RCCN updates and information.
Serve as the Primary Contact for Your Unit and College/Department Leadership Team
- Raise awareness of RCCN within your unit and among colleagues.
- Communicate essential information and updates in a timely manner.
- Develop and implement an information-sharing protocol (e.g., staff meetings, Google Group, emails, newsletters, etc.).
Recruit and Involve Faculty and Staff
- Help recruit faculty and staff for upcoming RCCN liaison cohorts.
- Develop strategies to connect students, faculty, and staff with RCCN events and resources.
- Share details about upcoming RCCN career and professional development events.
Minimum Requirements to Be an RCCN Liaison
- Complete the RCCN training course on Canvas (approximately 3-4 hours).
- Serve as a member of one of the RCCN subcommittees and regularly attend subcommittee meetings.
- Participate in the Career Champions Partners Program (30-minute monthly meetings).
- Attend as many professional development training sessions per semester as you can.
- Attend the 3 celebration events per year.
Interested in joining RCCN? Contact us at rccn@unlv.edu to learn more about how you can get involved.