Huskies Advance

The Basics

What is HuskiesAdvance? 

HuskiesAdvance is a unique St. Cloud State University program that helps you connect your classroom, campus, and community experiences with your passion in one of six topic areas (tracks).  With the guidance of a faculty/staff mentor, you create a unique learning plan, to purposefully build your knowledge and skills, while earning a digital credential and transcript notation.

Is HuskiesAdvance for me? 

If you have at least two semesters until you complete your undergraduate degree, yes, the program is for you! While you will submit a form to join the program, all undergraduate students with at least two semesters before graduation are welcome to participate.

If there are only a few semesters until your undergraduate graduation, there will not be enough time to complete HuskiesAdvance. We encourage you to seek guidance from your advisor, faculty, and the Career Center as you prepare for your graduation and career.

Graduate students are encouraged to seek out mentoring and individualized learning opportunities provided by their program and faculty, but are not able to participate in HuskiesAdvance.

How much time will it take to complete HuskiesAdvance?

If you do one experience each semester, you will complete your track in two years. Keep in mind you may have already completed activities that count and you can do experiences during the summer. During semesters you are not doing an experience, mentoring time can focus on your personal and professional goals. 

HuskiesAdvance Tracks and Experiences

What tracks can I choose from? 

You will choose one of the following tracks: 

• Leadership
• Social Justice
• Environmental Sustainability
• Entrepreneurship
• Civic Engagement
• International Engagement

Although other students will be in the same track, the experiences you do in your track are individual to you, reflecting your goals and interests.   

How do I know which track is right for me?

The track you choose depends on your interests, major, and future goals. HuskiesAdvance staff can help you identify the track best for you. Schedule a meeting when submitting the Interest Form at the bottom of this webpage to discuss your goals and interests with us.

How do I complete a HuskiesAdvance track? 

You collaborate with your faculty/staff mentor to identify four learning experiences that align with your track topic and interests. Previous educational, volunteer, and work experiences may count; many students are already engaged in activities they can use for their plan. Although your HuskiesAdvance plan will be unique, reflecting your personal and career goals, every plan will contain:

• One curricular experience (typically a class from your LEP or major requirements) 
• One campus-based, co-curricular activity (for example: Student Government, student organization leadership, research with faculty, Resident Advisor, Peer Advisor, or campus employment) 
• One activity that extends beyond the campus (for example: internship, student teaching, volunteering, Education Abroad, community involvement)
• One experience of your choice

How do I choose my HuskiesAdvance experiences?

You and your mentor select which experiences fit your interests and goals. Since your plan is unique to you, it may include attending a conference, volunteering in your hometown, doing a book club with your mentor, or engaging in a creative project that advances your learning goals. Many HuskiesAdvance students complete an experience through their LEP or major requirements, or participation in campus activities before even joining the program.  

Why You Should Join

What does a mentor do?

The HuskiesAdvance staff will pair you with a faculty/staff mentor based on shared interests and goals. Our mentors are passionate about the track topic and want to share their knowledge and skills with you. Your mentor will be in your corner, know your story, and be invested in your success through your graduation.

Your mentor will help you personalize your track, learn from your experiences, and articulate your personal and professional growth.

100% of recent HuskiesAdvance graduates strongly agreed their mentor helped them achieve their goals and was invested in their success.

Why should I be in HuskiesAdvance instead of learning on my own?

Our graduates share they got the most out of these benefits from being in HuskiesAdvance:

• Creating a personalized learning plan
• Connecting all their learning experiences
• Working with a mentor
• Networking with faculty, staff, and students in their track
• Using $250 for professional development activities
• Getting a cord to wear at commencement and a certificate of completion
• Receiving a digital credential to share on their social media platforms
• Having their accomplishment noted at the top of their transcript

Who can answer my questions?

The HuskiesAdvance staff are ready to help answer any questions you may have, show you how the program can help you achieve your goals, and get you started. To connect with us, submit the Interest Form or contact us at huskiesadvance@stcloudstate.edu.