Academics

The SkillPath Professional Development and Career Readiness Center

The SkillPath Professional Development and Career Readiness Center helps Graceland University students prepare for success after graduation by integrating career readiness across the academic curriculum. Since all first year students in the residential program complete both a primary major and a second major in Transformational Leadership, Graceland is in a unique position to ensure all students become career ready as part of their academic experience. This includes guiding students through milestones such as developing a résumé and LinkedIn profile, building a professional portfolio, attending networking events, and connecting with a professional mentor.

About the Center Director

Catharine Craig, MEd
Catharine Craig serves as Director of the SkillPath Professional Development and Career Readiness Center at Graceland University, where she helps students navigate their professional journeys with purpose. A three-time certified resume writer and recipient of multiple TORI (Toast of the Resume Industry) awards, she draws on more than 18 years of experience in career services and professional writing. In addition to helping to connect students with alumni and employers, Catharine helps them craft stand-out career documents that position them for success after graduation. Her private-sector portfolio includes collaborations with professionals and executives from organizations including Google, Amazon, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Microsoft. A former member of the National Résumé Writers’ Association (NRWA) Board of Directors, she has also been a featured speaker at the NRWA and Career Thought Leaders Association’s national conferences.

Catharine Craig

Graceland Student Resources

How to Talk about Your Transformational Leadership major.

INTERVIEW: As part of the answer to the “Tell me about yourself question”
- Alongside my ___________ major at Graceland, I also completed the Transformational Leadership major. Over four years, I didn’t just study leadership—I practiced it. The program was built into my classes and my campus involvement, giving me real opportunities to strengthen my self-leadership, work effectively in groups, lead organizations, and complete a capstone leadership experience with a mentor.
- My Transformational Leadership major gave me the chance to step into campus leadership every year. I took on several roles, worked on group projects, and collaborated with others to solve problems and achieve goals.
- At Graceland, every student completes the Transformational Leadership major, and it was a great complement to what I was learning in my _________ major. It helped me connect with alumni, build a professional portfolio, and get real experience leading teams, managing conflict, and driving positive change.
COVER LETTER: Paragraph Example

Through my Transformational Leadership major, I gained leadership experience that progressed from identifying my strengths to leading organizations and mentoring others. The program combined coursework with campus roles, service projects, and a capstone portfolio, giving me real experience leading teams, managing challenges, and strengthening organizational culture. I graduated with a strong academic foundation and practical leadership skills that prepare me to contribute to your team right away.
HOW TO INCLUDE IN A RESUME: Example

Bachelor of Arts Degree: Psychology & Transformational Leadership
Graceland University, Lamoni, IA, GPA: 3.73/4.00 Anticipated 5/26
HOW TO HIGHLIGHT A GROUP PROJECT IN A RESUME: Examples
Transformational Leadership Highlights
- Led a student team of 5 to help plan and execute a campus-wide homecoming event (Airband), engaging 250+ students and fostering community, inclusion, and meaningful connection.
- Applied leadership models to resolve conflicts, delegate responsibilities, and achieve project goals.
- Collaborated with classmates to develop and pitch a project in the Do Good for Graceland Challenge, an initiative that awards university funding for campus projects strengthening academic and social culture.
- Coordinated community outreach for ENACTUS events, engaging hundreds of students and Lamoni residents in two key events. “Livin’ on Linden” and “Trunk or Treat” have become examples of strong partnership between the university and the people of Lamoni.