The Pathway to Empowerment (P2E) signature program takes students on a journey of transformation that leads to a life of personal significance and professional success. This program is designed to empower our students to reach their full potential at Lake Erie College and beyond. To get there, we guide students through four key developmental stages that prepare them for the post-collegiate world intellectually, personally and professionally.

Networking and Friendship

In January 2020, Power-Up students Lauren Nehoda and Kirsten Wilson attended a Lunch with Leaders event at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! During this event, they were able to network with CEOs and leaders in Northeast Ohio. After the experience, Nehoda stated, "At this event, I learned to always take an opportunity that’s presented to you. I plan to use what I learned in the future to get an internship as well as to hopefully work for a nonprofit company."

Kirsten Wilson ('23) and Lauren Nehoda ('21)

PHASE 1: SELF DISCOVERY

HU 110: Introducing the Pathway to Empowerment (P2E)

All Incoming freshman are required to complete this course in the fall. In this course, students get an introduction to college life including success strategies, self-assessment, informational interviews and more.

• Power-Up students will enroll in HU111: Applications of Self-Discovery, a course that runs in the spring. This course will help students build an ePortfolio and get individualized plans for their personal and professional development.

PHASE 2: DEVELOPING STRONG PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Students build upon Self-Discovery insights by attending personal and professional development workshops, engaging in informational interviews or job shadowing, and other forms of significant experiential learning preparation.

• Power-Up Students will learn about how to harness their unique gifts using their StrengthsQuest assessment results and tailored feedback to achieve their goals.

PHASE 3: CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING

Students will work to identify needs and develop innovative solutions to make a positive impact in the community through significant experiential learning.

Students will seek out local professionals or alumni mentors and begin growing in a network of empowering relationships that will position them for real world success.

• Laurel Society society students work in small groups to carefully plan out Legacy Service Projects during their junior year.

PHASE 4: BALANCING PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL GOALS WITH THE NEEDS OF OTHERS

Students demonstrate leadership by serving as mentors to other students, scholarship by being able to communicate applied learning, and service through their engagement in the local community.

In this step, students are able to finalize their ePortfolios and are able to effectively communicate their strong attributes as they prepare to embark on their journey after graduation.

• Laurel Society students carry out their Legacy Service Projects to positively impact the local community during their senior year.

Why is P2E essential to a student's college experience?

Each year, LEC students will add experiences and reflections to an e-portfolio. By the time students reach their senior year, they will be prepared for the rigors of the job hunt, skilled at the interview process, and have a deeper understanding of both personal and professional goals and how to achieve them.