Category Archives: Things to Know

Leader Certificate Program

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Does your student want to learn more about how to lead themselves and others during these complex and uncertain times? Would they like to make a positive impact in their local, national, and global communities? Do they want to set themselves apart when applying for service opportunities, internships, and jobs? Would they like to develop leader habits such as being more courageous and motivational?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, the Franz Center Leader Certificate Program might be a good fit for your student! The Leader Certificate Program is designed to provide leaders with the tools, knowledge, and ability to impact and inspire their followers using the key leader habits. Check out this video from students who have participated in the Leader Certificate Program to learn more.

Students can register for Spring Semester leadership course. Courses are 1 credit and meet once per week in the spring. All students can register for the first course in the program (LDR 225: Foundations of Leadership), and all majors are welcome!

Students who enroll in the Leader Certificate Program receive priority in the RA selection process with Residence Life. Students who enroll in the Leader Certificate Program (by taking LDR 225) also receive priority in the selection process for the popular Global Perspectives on Leadership course. Most recently, students in this course have traveled to amazing locations such as New Zealand. (Check out our 1-second-every-day-style video from May 2019!) We hope to be back on campus and exploring the world again as soon as it is safe to do so. Your student can be ready when the time comes to apply for these opportunities (and many more) by strengthening their leadership now.  

Due to popularity, we are offering 5 sections of LDR 225 for Spring Semester 2021: Mondays at 1:35 p.m. (with Dr. Jennette Lovejoy), Mondays at 7:10 p.m. (with Mike Wode), Tuesdays at 11:20 a.m. (with Kallan Picha), Wednesdays at 4:10 p.m. (Dr. Dave Houglum), and Thursdays at 4:10 p.m. (Dr. Jeromy Koffler). 

If your student is interested in participating but in need of financial assistance, encourage them to complete the leadership scholarship application. Scholarship applications are due by Friday, December 4 at 5 p.m. Students must be enrolled in LDR 225 (Foundations of Leadership), to be eligible to receive financial assistance. 

Encourage your student to contact Dr. Dave Houglum at houglum@up.edu for more information or questions.

Here is what University of Portland students are saying about the Leader Certificate Program:

“The leadership course experience has been an important component of my education here as it’s helped me see leadership in the little things. From my experiences in leadership positions on campus to the moments of leadership just sitting in class, I’ve learned how to reflect, use my strengths and grow as a human being to approach different aspects of life.”

– Samantha van den Berg

“None of my major-oriented classes have been as beneficial as the Leader Certificate Program in relation to my education and my career. The Leader Certificate Program adds valuable life skills to any major –skills that are often overlooked within specific fields of study.” 

– Gabe Ablin

Watch a video to see the difference the Leader Certificate Program made for one of the graduates of the program.

Hear what leadership speaker and author Mark Sanborn has to say about why students should get involved in the Leader Certificate Program at UP.

Updates from the Office of Student Accounts

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Office of Student Accounts Important Dates

  • Spring tuition due: January 4, 2021 (the difference between financial aid and charges)
  • First day of class for spring semester: January 25, 2021
  • Last day to withdraw from spring courses with:
    • 100% tuition refund: January 29, 2021
    • 75% tuition refund: February 5, 2021
    • 50% tuition refund: February 12, 2021
    • 25% tuition refund: February 19, 2021
  • Late fees for all unpaid balances:
    • First Late Fee: January 29, 2021
    • Second Late Fee:  February 26, 2021

Health Insurance Waiver

  • The deadline to complete the waiver for Spring 2021 is January 29, 2021 at 2 p.m. (PST).*

*Only applicable to new, first-time students, students with denied fall waivers, or returning students who were not enrolled on campus for the fall semester but are planning to live on campus for the spring semester.

  • The health insurance waiver site will be available mid-December. Encourage your student to monitor this page for the spring semester waiver link. 

1098-T Tuition Statement

The University of Portland has partnered with ECSI (Educational Computer Systems, Inc.) to offer your student the opportunity to receive their 1098-T Tuition Statement electronically this year. If your student would like to receive their 1098-T form electronically, please encourage them to give their consent by following the steps below. 1098-T’s will be provided by the end of January 2021. If electronic consent is not received by January 1, 2021, the 1098-T will be mailed to the current address on file.

To give consent to receive the 1098-T form electronically, your student will need to click on the link below and follow the simple instructions to sign up!

The benefits to receiving electronic notification are:

  • Online delivery provides access to the form 1098-T earlier than the traditional mailing process.
  • Online delivery eliminates the chance that the 1098-T will get lost, misdirected or delayed during delivery, or misplaced once the student receives it.
  • Signing up for online delivery is easy and secure.
  • Students can receive their 1098-T form while traveling or away from their home address.

If you have any questions, please visit the ECSI FAQ page for information regarding your student’s tax documents and to obtain contact information for ECSI.

Office of Student Accounts Contact Information

Virtual Networking 101

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As college students begin to navigate the world of work, meeting with professionals is an important step in learning more about industries, companies, and internship and job opportunities. What often comes to mind is traditional forms of networking activities, such as meetings that take place over a cup of coffee or a meal, events attended by people who share common interests, professional association conferences, and career fairs where job seekers meet with recruiters. These in-person activities provide the chance to have authentic conversations and often lead to continued communication.

Benefits of Virtual Networking

While there may be no replacement for face-to face opportunities, the current circumstances have also created some new opportunities for virtual networking. Virtual networking breaks down some of the barriers that may have existed in the past, opening new doors for students who may have been limited by geography, resources, and time.

Virtual networking is new for all of us, including our staff, students, and employers. The Career Center just finished hosting two virtual career fairs through our online platform Handshake, where students learned more about internships or jobs, and heard from employers during group sessions and individual meetings. With the ubiquity of online communication today, there are even more opportunities than virtual career fairs to network with professionals.

For many students, building a network virtually provides the opportunity to develop new skills as they stretch their comfort zones. It provides them with the chance to demonstrate their flexibility, adaptability, communication, and perseverance. Networking in a virtual setting requires students to take initiative to reach out to professionals for informational interviews via video, phone, and email. Students also need to have a strong digital presence on Handshake and LinkedIn, where they can connect with alumni and employers, find job/internship opportunities, and participate in virtual events.

Virtual Networking Tips

With the semester more than halfway over, students may feel saturated by virtual learning and may need some encouragement to take advantage of virtual networking opportunities. Remind them that they are not alone and the Career Center is here to help! Students can access staff for individual appointments and during Open Office Hours. Knowing that parents and family members are often the first people students talk to, here are some recommendations you can provide:

  1. Be active in online professional networks. The Career Center utilizes Handshake as the centralized system for internship and job postings, a calendar of virtual employer events, and general advice and support. LinkedIn provides students an opportunity to find internship and job postings, to make connections and strengthen professional relationships, and to learn skills.
  2. Update your digital profiles on Handshake and LinkedIn. Be sure to highlight skills, applied experiences, and interests. Connect with and follow companies.
  3. Take initiative and reach out to professionals for a (virtual) coffee chat. Be patient and persistent (it may take more than one try) when requesting to connect. Be mindful of time zones.
  4. Attend virtual professional networking events. Check out the calendar of events on Handshake and Engage.
  5. Be prepared when you show up to a networking event! Prepare an elevator pitch and questions to ask.
  6. Follow up after a conversation or interview. Say thank you and keep in touch.
  7. Practice wellness. The pandemic has impacted everyone. Take time to breathe and acknowledge where you are. Utilize resources such as the Health & Counseling Center wellness resources.
  8. Not sure where to get started? Schedule an appointment or visit the Career Center Open Office Hours.

Amy Cavanaugh serves as the Director of the UP Career Education Center. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from St. Mary’s College and master’s degrees in both Organizational Communication and Business Administration. During her own college years, Amy completed a variety of experiential learning opportunities including study abroad, community engagement, research, and internships. Her first destination was participating in post-graduate service through Holy Cross Associates where she was introduced to careers in education. Amy leads the Career Center team by integrating career education and readiness into the student experience, collaborating with colleagues to guide students to develop as a whole person, and partnering with alumni and professionals to make connections that lead to meaningful opportunities for students.