Table B: Rebuilding Public Trust Through Degree-Embedded Career Learning and Planning

At State University of New York at Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta), rebuilding public trust in higher education begins with a student-centered vision rooted in an inclusive strategic planning process, which identified experiential learning as a cornerstone of academic and career success, aligning student development with local workforce needs. The cornerstone of this is the Purposeful Endeavors initiative, where all students complete at least two experiential learning opportunities as part of their degree. This work, launched during SUNY Oneonta’s participation in AAC&U’s 2024 Institute on Engaged and Integrative Learning, has grown into a comprehensive framework that includes the Oneonta OpenLab ePortfolio project, the Experiential Learning Project Portal, the Future Ready program, and a new course on narrative-building. Together, these initiatives help students connect their learning to National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Competencies and articulate their value in professional settings. This collaborative cross-campus effort exemplifies constructive engagement and demonstrates higher education’s role in advancing student success, inclusivity, and public good.