What's Happening?
Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) in Springfield, Illinois, has been awarded a $10,000 Pathways Step Grant from the Modern Language Association (MLA). This grant aims to strengthen the connection between classroom learning in humanities courses and the development
of career-ready skills. LLCC was the only community college to receive this distinction in the current grant cycle. The project, titled 'Thinking, Deciding and Connecting From Classroom to Career: Amplifying Humanities’ Durable Skills,' will involve students in hands-on undergraduate research projects designed to build critical thinking, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving abilities. These pilot courses are being led by LLCC faculty members Marlene Emmons, Karen Sisk, Eric Stachera, and Cara Swafford. Students will have the opportunity to showcase these skills to community workforce partners at a research symposium scheduled for December 10.
Why It's Important?
This grant is significant because it addresses a common perception gap between humanities education and workforce readiness. By explicitly linking humanities coursework to 'durable skills' such as critical thinking and communication, LLCC is demonstrating the practical value of these disciplines in the modern job market. This initiative can help students articulate the relevance of their humanities education to potential employers, thereby enhancing their career prospects. For community colleges, which often serve as direct pathways to local workforces, this program can serve as a model for integrating academic rigor with vocational relevance. It also highlights the Modern Language Association's commitment to advocating for the value of humanities education beyond traditional academic paths, recognizing its contribution to a well-rounded and adaptable workforce.
What's Next?
The project will culminate in a research symposium on December 10, where students will present their work to community workforce partners, demonstrating their acquired skills. Additionally, students from Professor Laura Anderson’s graphic design class will contribute to creating digital and print guidebooks. These guidebooks will highlight the long-term value of humanities education and illustrate how classroom experiences translate into career opportunities. The success of this pilot program could lead to its expansion within LLCC and potentially inspire similar initiatives at other community colleges nationwide. The MLA's continued support for such projects suggests a growing emphasis on demonstrating the tangible benefits of humanities education in a career-focused landscape.
Beyond the Headlines
This initiative touches upon a broader national conversation about the purpose and value of higher education, particularly the humanities, in an increasingly skills-driven economy. It challenges the notion that humanities degrees are less practical than STEM fields by explicitly demonstrating their role in developing essential 'soft skills' that are highly valued by employers. The project's focus on undergraduate research and direct engagement with workforce partners fosters a more dynamic and responsive educational model. Furthermore, the creation of guidebooks by graphic design students exemplifies interdisciplinary collaboration, showcasing how different academic areas can converge to produce practical and impactful outcomes. This approach could contribute to a more holistic understanding of education's role in preparing individuals for diverse career paths and civic engagement.
