Program architecture: 

• Year 1: Vantage Foundations – Discover purpose, build core skills 

• Year 2: Vanage Ascent – Explore industries, deepen competencies 

• Year 3: Vantage Launch – Secure hands-on experience, leadership & impact 

• Year 4: Vantage Leadership – Capstone, executive mentorship, employment  outcomes 

Guiding principles: cura personalis (whole person development), purpose driven learning,  equity & access, experiential learning, and data informed support. 

Year 1 - Vantage Foundations (First-Year Students) 

Goal: Establish identity, purpose, and career readiness basics while easing the transition to  college. 

Core components 

• Purpose Pathways (Exploration Labs): Short modules that preview five thematic  tracks: Social Impact, Corporate Innovation, Creative Industries & Media, Public Policy  & Government, and Entrepreneurship & Startups. 

• Career Design Micro-Seminar (8–10 weeks): 

o VICC framework (Value, Confidence, Intent & Credibility) 

o Digital communication and presence (professional email, Slack/Teams etiquette,  Zoom video call presence) 

o Resilience & emotional readiness 

• AI Literacy On-Ramp: 

o IBM SkillsBuild, Getting Started with AI (intro credential) 

o Microsoft Copilot Essentials (productivity prompts) 

• Mentorship Circles (Peer + Alumni): Monthly small group sessions led by trained  upper-class “Guides,” supported by alumni via PeopleGrove. Peer mentors are  matched as soon as student commits to the University. 

• Micro-Projects: Design thinking sprints tied to community needs; reflective briefs  uploaded to the Co-Curricular Transcript.

Milestones (Fall → Spring) 

• Fall: Kickoff retreat; complete career assessment, IBM intro credential; publish a basic  LinkedIn & PeopleGrove profile. 

• Spring: Complete Foundations micro seminar; first informational interviews; select a  tentative Purpose Pathway. 

Assessment & badges 

• Foundations badge (NACE competencies: Communication, Teamwork, Professionalism). • AI Literacy badge (IBM & Copilot). 

Year 2 - Vantage Ascent (Sophomores) 

Goal: Move from exploration to informed choice; build technical & human skills; begin  portfolio. 

Core components 

• Industry Discovery Studios: Faculty & employer led mini courses/projects (4–6 weeks  each) aligned to Purpose Pathways. 

• AI CRM for Business Leaders (Salesforce Trailhead): 

o Predictive analytics, automation, ethics in use 

o Applied Trailhead “superbadges” tied to studio deliverables 

• Skill Sprints: Data storytelling, project management, negotiation basics, inclusive  leadership. 

• Shadow Day & Job Site Visits: Coordinated via alumni and employer partners. • Portfolio Start: Artifacts from studios and sprints (case write ups, dashboards, analyses,  creative reels). 

Milestones 

• Complete 2-3 Industry Discovery Studios. 

• Earn Salesforce AI Trailhead badges. 

• Conduct at least one alumni shadow experience. 

Assessment & badges 

• Ascent badge (NACE: Technology, Critical Thinking). 

• Salesforce AI badges integrated into PeopleGrove credentials.

Year 3 - Vantage Launch (Juniors) 

Goal: Secure and excel in experiential learning (internship, co-op, research, service),  demonstrate leadership, and advance industry credentials. 

Core components 

• Experiential Placement: Internship/co-op or community-engaged project; tracked in  PeopleGrove and captured on the Co-Curricular Transcript. 

• Azure AI Fundamentals (Microsoft Learn): 

o Cloud AI services, responsible AI; optional advanced modules (Vision, Language,  Responsible AI) 

• Career Accelerator Workshops: Behavioral interviewing, case/technical interviews,  salary negotiations, executive presence, storytelling & portfolio refinement. • Leadership in Action: Lead a Mentorship Circle for underclassmen or chair a student led project team. 

• ALUMNI Helping STUDENTS Signature Event: Juniors pitch projects and network with  alumni/employers. 

Milestones 

• Complete Azure AI Fundamentals credential. 

• Internship/co-op secured (Spring) and/or completed (Summer). 

• Portfolio updated with internship outcomes and leadership reflections. Assessment & badges 

• Launch badge (NACE: Leadership, Career & Self-Development). 

• Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals badge recorded in RamConnect.

Year 4 - Vantage Early Career (Seniors) 

Goal: Execute a capstone impact project, receive executive-level mentorship, and secure a first  destination outcome (employment or graduate study). 

Core components 

• Vantage Seminar: Advanced career design, ethics of AI, stakeholder engagement,  impact measurement. 

• Executive Mentorship: Monthly 1:1s with alumni executives; alumni-in-residence office  hours. 

• Impact Capstone: 

o Options: Venture launch, consulting engagement, policy proposal, product  prototype, or creative portfolio. 

o Required: AI integration (IBM/Trailhead/Azure), stakeholder brief, outcome  metrics. 

• Career Outcomes Guarantee (12-month support): Continued access to coaches,  alumni mentors, and job search resources post-graduation. 

• ALUMNI Helping STUDENTS Signature 2: RamConnect Competency Quest, Networking,  Workshops 

Milestones 

• Vantage Impact Summit (April/May): Public showcase to alumni, donors, and  employer partners. 

• Offer Tracking (real-time): RamConnect dashboard; referrals and microgrants for final stage needs (travel, attire, certification exam fees). 

Assessment & badges 

• Leadership badge + Capstone credential. 

• First Destination Outcome recorded (job/grad school).

Data & Accountability (All Years) 

• PeopleGrove Dashboard + Handshake: Engagement, credential  completion, internship pipeline, first-destination outcomes. 

• Co-Curricular Transcript: Automatic artifact capture (projects, badges, reflections). 

• Equity Lens: Disaggregate outcomes (major, identity, first-gen, Pell) to ensure access  and impact. 

• Early Warning & Nudges: Behavioral nudges (SMS/email) for students falling behind  on key milestones. 

Integrated AI Credential Path (Stackable) 

• Year 1: IBM SkillsBuild (Intro AI) + Microsoft Copilot Essentials 

• Year 2: Salesforce Trailhead (AI + CRM superbadges) 

• Year 3: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (+ optional advanced modules) 

• Year 4: Applied AI in Capstone (choose IBM, Salesforce, Azure, or other stack based on  project) 

Partnerships & Experiences 

• Alumni-in-Residence: Rotating weekly hours (finance, tech, media, healthcare,  nonprofit/government). 

• Alumni Engagement: Mentorship Circles, Shadow Days, project sponsors; integrate  with the alumni engagement dashboard. 

• Faculty Collaboration: Industry Discovery Studios co-taught by faculty and  practitioners; capstone advising committees. 

Sample Yearly Timeline & Milestones 

Fall (Aug–Dec) 

• Year 1: Kickoff Retreat; IBM SkillBuild intro; Mentorship Circles start 

• Year 2: Industry Discovery Studios #1-2; Salesforce Trailhead badges 

• Year 3: Internship search; Azure AI prep; Leadership-in-Action roles 

• Year 4: Leadership seminar; capstone scoping; alumni-in-residence series

Spring (Jan–May) 

• Year 1: Career Design micro seminar; informational interviews 

• Year 2: Studios #3-4; shadow day; portfolio build-out 

• Year 3: Internship secured; Azure AI Fundamentals; mock interviews 

• Year 4: Capstone execution; Impact Summit; offer negotiation coaching 

Summer (Jun–Aug) 

• Year 3: Internship/co-op, reflection artifacts uploaded 

• Year 4: Post-grad support (12 months); continued coaching and mentoring 

Outcomes Targets (by Year)

• Y1: 90% complete Foundations badge; 80% complete IBM intro; 70% conduct ≥1  informational interview 

• Y2: 75% complete ≥2 Studios; 65% earn Salesforce AI badge(s); 60% participate in  shadow day 

• Y3: 80% secure internship/co-op; 70% earn Azure AI Fundamentals; 70% lead a peer  activity 

• Y4: 90% complete capstone; 85% first-destination outcome (job/grad) within 6 months;  70% maintain alumni mentor engagement post-graduation 

How Vantage Integrates With Existing University Assets 

• PeopleGrove: Matching, tracking, dashboards, alumni pipeline. • Co-Curricular Transcript: Auto-captures milestones, badges, and artifacts. • ALUMNI Helping STUDENTS: Signature networking and project pitch event. • Human-Centered Design Sprint: Embed sprints in Year 1 & Year 2 studios. • IBM AI All-Freshmen Initiative: Formalize as the Year 1 AI onboarding. 

Next Steps (Quick Wins) 

1. Branding & Naming: Confirm Vantage 

Foundations/Ascent/Launch/Leadership and visual identity. 

2. Pilot Cohort: Launch with 75–100 first-year students in first term (Foundations). 

3. Partnerships: Lock IBM/Salesforce/Microsoft credential pathways and alumni-in residence calendar.

4. Dashboard Setup: Configure PeopleGrove fields for badges, artifacts, and outcomes. 

5. Funding Plan: Identify budget and/or 3–5 flagship sponsors and alumni donors for  microgrants and capstone funding. 

Core Pillars 

1. Purpose Pathways 

Students select a career pathway aligned with their values and goals: 

• Social Impact & Nonprofit Leadership 

• Corporate Innovation & Strategy 

• Creative Industries & Media 

• Public Policy & Government 

• Entrepreneurship & Startups 

• Health & Human Services 

• Education & Advocacy 

Each pathway includes curated experiences, alumni mentors, and tailored career coaching. 

2. Career Design Studio 

A seminar focused on: 

• Personal branding (VICC framework) 

• Emotional readiness & resilience 

• AI tools for job search and productivity 

• SOLVE Method for critical thinking 

• Portfolio and storytelling development 

Includes guest speakers, design thinking sprints, and peer feedback. 

3. Mentorship Circles 

Small groups of students matched with alumni mentors for: 

• Weekly career conversations 

• Mock interviews and resume reviews

• Networking strategy development 

• Real-world insights from industry leaders 

Powered by PeopleGrove and supported by PeopleGrove analytics. 

What Makes It Unique: 

• Purpose Pathways: Participants choose a “purpose pathway” to explore meaningful  work aligned with their values and interests. 

• Interdisciplinary Learning: Students take courses across Fordham’s graduate schools  (business, law, education, etc.). 

• Community & Mentorship: The program fosters deep peer-to-peer learning and  mentorship from students, faculty, and alumni. 

• Wellness & Renewal: Emphasizes holistic development; mental, physical, and  emotional well-being as part of career preparation. 

• Social Impact Focus: Many students will pivot into nonprofit leadership, public service,  or entrepreneurial ventures with a mission driven lens.