A new position in the Civic, Global and Professional Opportunities offices was filled to unify the program and take it to the next level.
Raj Bellani was appointed Dean of Experiential Learning and Career Planning on July 1 and started this new role on campus July 16. Bellani has an idea of where he would like to see DePauw go in terms of helping students determine what they will do after their four years are over.
"I believe by senior year the student should have so many options that the question is 'What should I do,' not 'What can I do,'" Bellani said.
The search for Bellani's position began last spring after the relocation and joining of all the separate elements that create CGPOpps.
"[With the relocation came] enormous visibility for offices that weren't getting a lot of traffic," said David Harvey, Vice President of Academic Affairs. "The total traffic increased seven to ten fold. This created a need for management. We were looking for someone with leadership that could provide the best opportunity for our students."
President Brian Casey knows the importance of CGPOpps and the service it provides to students.
"Career services and Winter Term are all very important offices that are supposed to help students figure out the trajectory of their lives," Casey said.
Harvey believes that the experiences Bellani has had at other institutions will give him the tools to create a program that will help DePauw students.
"Raj will be bringing his experience," Harvey said. "He has seen other programs, he'll have knowledge of the best practices for DePauw."
After eight years holding many different positions at Colgate University and then most recently at Rhode Island School of Design, Bellani has moved to the Midwest and looks to help DePauw students realize the opportunities that are available to them. Bellani knows the importance of understanding his new community.
"First thing I want to do is actively listen to the DePauw community, the students, faculty, alumni and friends of DePauw, those that hire our student and accept them into grad school," Bellani said.
Once information is gathered on what the goals of students are and what is making them successful. Bellani wants to move even further by giving students the support, advisement and preparation for exams to expand their options. He believes that if students are given the correct tools and support not only will they succeed, but they will reach new levels.
Bellani's plans and hopes fall in line with what Harvey imagined the position would provide for students.
"We need someone who can really help generate resources and communication to students and alumni," Harvey said. "Someone to work at assessing and generating data."
To help students reach the higher level of achievement Bellani is aiming for, he suggests conversations about life after DePauw start well before senior year.
"Students should be talking to alumni in their first year," Bellani said. "I want to give them access to the rich alumni network early."
Before all the action takes place, Bellani is taking a moment to get to know DePauw and see what would work best in this environment.
"I need to learn, then take action," Bellani said. "Liberal arts is all about the philosopher going to medical school. [Right now] the bag is far too limited. I want to expand the bag."