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CAS ADVANTAGE BADGES

What Are CAS Advantage Badges?

CAS Advantage badges recognize your growth in key competencies essential for academic and professional success. These credentials can be added to your resume, LinkedIn profile, and e-portfolio.

By completing just one CAS Advantage course, you’ll begin earning badges that showcase your achievements. Complete the full program to receive special graduation regalia recognizing your accomplishment. Each time you take a class, you’ll continue to refine your skills, develop new strategies, and deepen your expertise.

Communication

Communication Badge

Develop and refine your ability to convey ideas effectively in written and verbal formats. Gain experience in public speaking, professional writing, and active listening to enhance your ability to engage with diverse audiences.

  • What You’ll Do: Practice written, verbal, and professional communication skills.
  • Why It Matters: Clear communication opens doors in every career.
  • Requirements: 
    • Attend a communication skills workshop (e.g., public speaking, effective email writing).
    • Activity: Participate in a group discussion or deliver a short presentation.
    • Assignment: Submit a reflection on your communication experience, including challenges and lessons learned.
    • Reflection Paper
    • Create and submit e-Portfolio
Community

Community Badge

Engage with diverse perspectives and contribute meaningfully to your communities. Learn strategies for civic engagement, cultural awareness, and ethical decision-making to make a positive impact in both local and global contexts.

  • What You’ll Do: Engage in service, campus life, or civic activities that strengthen community connections.
  • Why It Matters: Employers value well-rounded graduates who can contribute beyond the workplace.
  • Requirements: 
    • Activity: Attend a campus event and participate in a group activity, such as volunteering or joining a student organization.
    • Assignment: Develop a plan for continued involvement in campus life or community service.
    • Reflection Paper
    • Create and submit e-Portfolio
Critical & Creative Thinking

Critical & Creative Thinking Badge

Enhance your ability to analyze complex problems and generate innovative solutions. Develop reasoning, problem-solving, and creativity skills to approach challenges with confidence and adaptability.

  • What You’ll Do: Participate in workshops, apply problem-solving to real scenarios, and reflect on your growth.
  • Why It Matters: Employers rank critical thinking as one of the top career skills.
  • Requirements:
    • Assignment: Submit a reflection on how you solved a problem or adapted to a challenging situation in college.
    • Reflection Paper 
    • Create and submit e-Portfolio
Career & Life Design

Career & Life Design Badge

Plan for your future by developing skills in goal-setting, networking, and adaptability. Learn how to craft a compelling personal brand, navigate career transitions, and make informed decisions about your professional journey.

  • What You’ll Do: Explore career paths, design your personal and professional goals, and develop action plans.
  • Why It Matters: Helps you graduate with confidence in your next step.
  • Requirements:
    • Workshop: Attend a freshman career exploration session or major discovery workshop.
    • Activity: Create a basic resume or a list of academic and personal goals.
    • Assignment: Submit your resume and a reflection on your career and journey map for the next year.
    • Reflection Paper Due
    • Create and submit e-Portfolio
Collaboration

Collaboration Badge

Work effectively in teams, demonstrating leadership and cooperative problem-solving skills. Gain experience in conflict resolution, group dynamics, and project management to succeed in professional and academic settings.

  • What You’ll Do: Take part in group experiences, leadership activities, or teamwork projects.
  • Why It Matters: Teams drive today’s workplaces — collaboration sets you apart.
  • Requirements:
    • Activity: Join a campus club or participate in a freshman cohort project.
    • Assignment: Reflect on your group activity and submit your thoughts on teamwork and collaboration.
    • Reflection Paper
    • Create and submit e-Portfolio

College of Arts and Sciences Advising

100 Fitzgerald House
614 Pioneer Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-4567

 

College of Arts and Sciences
Dean's Office

Varner Hall, Room 217
371 Varner Drive
Rochester , MI 48309-4485
(location map)
(248) 370-2140
Fax: (248) 370-4280
[email protected]

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