Dawn McCaw (center), assistant director of the Career Resource Center, works with a group of students in the center’s new conference room, which comes complete with Internet connection and a projection screen. Later this summer, a digital signage system will be installed outside the center to advertise programs, events and resources. The center has collaborated with Instructional Media Services on both projects.

The Career Resource Center staff has seen a sharp increase in student drop-in visits since moving to the Humanities Building in January.

Tonda Highley, associate dean of student advising and director of the Career Resource Center, attributes the more than 57 percent increase to the new visibility of the center on the academic side of campus. Highley said students pass the new center in Humanities room 105 every day and they are more apt to stop in to speak with a counselor, use the center’s computers or practice their interviewing techniques.

“We are so enthusiastic about being among the students and faculty,” said Highley.

Visits to the new offices have not been limited to students. According to Highley, faculty members often stop in to request information for students or develop fieldwork opportunities for their classes. Also, the center is now included as a “hot spot” on the Admission Department’s campus tours.

“We all feel such a positive sense when we come in here,” Highley said of her staff’s new space with its green walls, windowed walls and increased space.

The center’s move from the seventh floor of the Haggerty Administration Building (which is now home to the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach) coincided with a shift in the center’s mission. While helping students obtain internships and secure employment after graduation has always been a part of the staff’s work, these elements are now the driving force of their efforts.