RIVERSIDE, Calif., Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — California Baptist University has renamed its Career Center the Center for Career and Professional Development and announced Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial as the Center’s new sponsor, reflecting an expanded emphasis on career preparation throughout the student experience.
“The name change stresses the importance of overall professional development, not just job placement,” said Lisa Blair, director of the Center. “Professional development is not transactional but transformational and covers the ongoing skills, habits and competencies students need to build before, during and after that initial interaction to stay competitive in the workforce.”
The Center supports students with career assessments, individualized appointments, résumé and cover letter reviews, LinkedIn assistance, mock interviews, internship and job search preparation and other professional development resources.
During the 2025–26 academic year, the Center provided 4,260 student appointments and 1,550 mock interviews. A total of 951 employers came to campus through nine career fairs and other opportunities, connecting CBU students with organizations across a variety of industries.
The Center will further expand its career preparation efforts in spring 2027 with Foundations of Career Readiness, a new one-unit elective course focused on career decision-making, professional branding, networking, interviewing and other career skills.
Modern Woodmen’s sponsorship builds on a relationship with CBU that began through the university’s career fairs and employer engagement opportunities in 2018.
“CBU has been an integral part of our recruiting efforts since we first came to campus in 2018,” said Bennett L. Sperber III, managing director at Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial. “We see strong alignment between CBU’s values and our own, but we also see students who are exceptionally prepared. They understand what future employers expect of them and are ready to contribute. That makes CBU a place where we want to continue investing and building relationships.”
“Student success is ultimately the outcome we are working toward,” said Dr. Charles D. Sands, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “We work hard to provide an exceptional educational experience, but preparing students for what comes next takes more than what happens in the classroom. The Center for Career and Professional Development, along with the support of partners in our community, creates opportunities for students to grow their skills, build professional relationships and prepare to serve well beyond graduation.”
About California Baptist University
Founded in 1950, California Baptist University is the largest Christian university in California. CBU offers more than 106 bachelor’s programs, 44 graduate programs and 11 doctoral programs, on campus and online.
About Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial
Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal financial services organization founded in 1883 and headquartered in Rock Island, Illinois. Serving nearly 700,000 members nationwide, Modern Woodmen offers life insurance, annuities and retirement planning while investing in members’ communities through local volunteer and fraternal programs.
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SOURCE California Baptist University
