Embedded Files
KEY PROGRAMMING
KEY PROGRAMMING
The Matthews Center is dedicated to encouraging every student to participate in immersive educational experiences. Experiential learning allows students to connect their academic work with direct experience and provides the opportunity to apply problem-solving, critical-thinking, and communication skills in industry settings.
145 workshops and presentations offered for professional development
1,070 unique current students and Davidson alumni attended these events
115+ students participated in Training the Street workshops, including 3 in person workshops covering an introduction to banking, corporate valuation/financial statement analysis, and technical interview prep. These workshops, and others covering Excel and financial modeling, were also offered in an online format for students.
SPOTLIGHT: Since its inception in Spring 2023, 29 students have successfully completed the NEXT Level program, a program in partnership with the Hurt Hub@Davidson, designed to offer up to 14 first-generation sophomore students mentorship, through professional guidance, and paid project work, through real-world experience. This year’s Fall 2023 cohort welcomed 9 students and the Spring 2024 cohort welcomed 8 students. Students were matched with a company or entrepreneur in the Davidson area that provided a paid short-term project through the Gig-Hub program. Over eight weeks, working 5 hours a week, students completed their project. NEXT Level students met with their client once a week to discuss progress on the project and engage in a mentoring session.
Over the last year, both cohorts completed the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment to uncover and harness their individual talents and strengths. Following this assessment, each student participated in personalized one-on-one coaching sessions designed to align their strengths with their academic and career aspirations. In addition to project-based work, students engaged in impactful experiential learning sessions. Highlights included a workshop with James Webb, Assistant Professor of Theater at Davidson College, where students developed their public speaking and presentation skills.
Over the last year, both cohorts completed the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment to uncover and harness their individual talents and strengths. Following this assessment, each student participated in personalized one-on-one coaching sessions designed to align their strengths with their academic and career aspirations. In addition to project-based work, students engaged in impactful experiential learning sessions. Highlights included a workshop with James Webb, Assistant Professor of Theater at Davidson College, where students developed their public speaking and presentation skills.
Summer Internship Grants
Summer Internship Grants
Thanks to the generosity of numerous alumni, parents and friends, we were able to provide summer internship grants to students with unpaid or low paying summer internships, making it possible for Davidson students to pursue an enriching summer experience.
$3,416 average grant amount
$194,700 awarded to students to facilitate low-paying and unpaid summer internship, research experiences, and career related certifications and programs for Summer 2023.
87 eligible applicants
66% of applicants funded through 19 available grants
8 committee members across multiple campus departments reviewed and scored applications
Professional Development Grants
Professional Development Grants
The Matthews Center provides professional development funding to support high-impact, career related professional development experiences through the generous support of donors. Opportunities for students include, professional certifications, industry specific training, conferences, and graduate, medical, and law school testing prep programs. During the 2024 academic year over $62,400 was provided to 94 students.
Greater Charlotte Law School Fair
Greater Charlotte Law School Fair
In November, Davidson College hosted the Greater Charlotte Law School Fair. Law school admission representatives from 50 different schools were eager to return to campus where they met with over 90+ students and alums of Davidson College and local colleges and universities.
Prelaw Advising & Programming
Prelaw Advising & Programming
Prelaw Advisor Kelli Robinson held appointments with students and alums to discuss their interests in and preparation for law school. Programming focused on preparing for the application process and learning about working in the law profession. Guest presenters invited by the Matthews Center included the Assistant Director of Admissions at Duke University School of Law, and Davidson alum Sarah Boyce (‘07), Deputy Solicitor General for North Carolina (in collaboration with the English Department). The Davidson College Prelaw Society also hosted events including a Law School Mock Admissions Panel comprised of law school admission representatives and programs featuring Davidson alums completing their first year of law school as well as alums working in various law-focused roles.
Pre-Health & Sciences Programming
Pre-Health & Sciences Programming
Pre-Health & Sciences Advisor Aisling Zaccarelli led a new charge of programming for pre-health and science students this year, adding 7 new and/or updated programs and offered 17 repeat programs to students, including programs to focus on shadowing, research, gap year opportunities, interview tips, clinical experiences, and more! A total of 483 total appointments were held this past academic year with 266 unique students receiving 1:1 advising assistance.
Health Careers Fair
Health Careers Fair
In March 2024, Davidson College hosted a new Health Careers fair which brought representatives from 40 different employers and graduate schools together to meet with 120 students and alums to explore careers and postgraduate options.
Secure the Bag: Resumania
Secure the Bag: Resumania
In October, we hosted our third annual #Resumania, an event designed to prepare students for upcoming applications through resume reviews and elevate their individual brands with professional headshots. Advisers were stationed in the Alvarez College Student Union Atrium from 10am-6pm offering 15-minute resume review appointments. Students were able to pre-register for a time slot or drop-in. We also offered two 30-minute resume workshops to assist students in learning the basic resume formatting principles and transitioning from a high school resume and/or creating a professional resume. Davidson College student photographers were on site offering professional headshots. The event was a huge success, as 137 students attended and received personalized advice for their resume/CV!
Senior Career Kickoff!
Senior Career Kickoff!
Completing job and graduate/professional school applications can be a daunting task during senior year. Often, simply “getting started” can be the biggest challenge for students. To help make this process less intimidating, we hosted our first Senior Career Kickoff event in September. This drop-in event held in the Alvarez College Student Union Atrium allowed students to learn more about LinkedIn, Networking, Handshake, and Resume Building - based on where they felt they were at in the career process. Our team was thrilled to meet with 78 seniors to help discuss their unique journeys and provide tangible next steps to complete after the event.
Davidson in Washington
Davidson in Washington
Hosted by the Political Science department, 33 students participated in the eight week program that took Davidson students to Washington, D.C. to complete one of two seminars and professional experience (Internship, career networking meetings, etc.). Matthews Center adviser, Kelli Robinson, assisted students with their internship preparation and searches. Robinson, along with Associate Director, Josh King, represented the Matthews Center team at the annual Davidson in Washington networking reception in July 2023.
Davidson in East Asia
Davidson in East Asia
A group of 17 students embarked on an enriching journey through the East Asia Internship Program, exploring diverse countries in the region. They ventured into fields spanning from Bioinformatics to social work and education, gaining valuable work experience. Alongside their professional growth, these students had the privilege to immerse themselves in the captivating East Asian culture, broadening their horizons and advancing their career goals.
First Generation Senior Pinning Ceremony
First Generation Senior Pinning Ceremony
In partnership with the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion and Office of Alumni and Family Engagement, we hosted our 3rd Annual First Things First Pinning Ceremony to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Davidson’s 54 first-generation graduating seniors. Dr. Donna Molinek and Dr. Tiffany Hollis '04 shared remarks during the ceremony. First-generation alumni, faculty, and staff members participated in the ceremony presenting each student with a pin and certificate. A reception was held following the ceremony.
Career Compass and Resume Workshops
Career Compass and Resume Workshops
Formerly known as Exploration Academy, our freshly branded Career Compass program offered both virtual summer options as well as an-person cohort in January 2024. Our virtual cohort saw 88 student check-ins across 8 events throughout the summer. The first-ever in-person Career Compass cohort saw 15 students attend the half-day program. Both programs provide exploring students with helpful tools to navigate the career exploration process through assessments, workshops, and individual guidance. Session topics include: Understanding the Career Exploration Process, Wise Wandering, Tools & Resources for Maximizing Your Career Exploration Journey, and an Overview of Industries with Matthews Center Advisers.
Over the course of the year, 75 students attended the “From High School to Professional: A Resume Workshop” program to build and enhance their resumes in preparation for internship, research, job, and fellowship applications.
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