Humanities to Career

In support of its commitment to expanding access to the humanities, the Mandel Foundation awarded three grants totaling $2.7 million to establish Humanities to Career pilot programs at Lorain County Community College (LCCC), Bunker Hill Community College, and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). This initiative was part of the Foundation’s strategic plan, prioritizing community colleges to advance humanities education. Partnering with Jobs for the Future, the Foundation’s funding allows LCCC to target students majoring in English, Art and Education and redesign core courses with professional skills development, a capstone project, and new paid internships. Bunker Hill in Boston, MA, is extending its guided pathways and career development into its humanities and liberal arts programs. NOVA, near Washington, D.C., is addressing a 33% decline in Associate of Arts majors over the past four years by developing certificates for professional skills and providing micro-internships for students in the liberal arts.