CBU unveils Center for Career and Professional Development

Riverside, Calif. (Aug. 31, 2026) — As they prepare for life after graduation, California Baptist University students have access to career preparation throughout their college experience through the newly renamed Center for Career and Professional Development.

Formerly the CBU Career Center, the new name reflects the Center’s broader role in helping students develop the skills, experiences and professional connections they need to successfully transition from college to career. The Center also welcomes a new sponsor, Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, whose support will help enhance its services and programming for students.

“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.”

Students can use the Center for career assessments and individualized appointments; résumé, cover letter and LinkedIn assistance; mock interviews; internship and job search preparation; professional headshots; and access to a professional clothing closet.

During the 2025–26 academic year, the Center provided 4,260 student appointments – which includes resume, cover letter and career guidance – and conducted 1,550 mock interviews. It also welcomed 951 employers to campus through nine career fairs and other opportunities.

Several career fairs are tailored to specific colleges and disciplines. The College of Engineering Career Fair, among the largest, brings 60 to 70 employers and more than 300 students together each year. The fair provides the students an opportunity to share their achievements, said Dr. Phil van Haaster, dean of the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering.

“Our students are humble and understand deeply that their talents are a gift from God,” he said. “Having the Engineering Career Fair helps them overcome a hesitation to brag and realize that there is a professional time and place to share their engineering skills.”

Those connections can translate directly into career opportunities.

As a junior, Josh Bromby (’23) connected with a CBU alumnus working in his field through an internship preparation course. Their relationship developed into a professional mentorship that continued as Bromby applied for jobs and helped him build credibility in the competitive defense manufacturing industry.

“The Center taught me to approach my career intentionally and to build relationships before I needed something from someone,” Bromby said. “Their guidance led me to a mentor who helped me navigate the job search and opened doors in an industry where credibility and relationships matter.”

Favor Khaoya (’25) turned to the Center for help articulating how her skills and experiences connected to the career she wanted to pursue. After working with a career counselor and attending several CBU career fairs, she landed a job at her final fair before graduation.

“The Center taught me how to tell my story in a way that made sense and helped me see that all my experiences were part of the path that brought me here,” Khaoya said.

The Center will expand its offerings in spring 2027 with Foundations of Career Readiness, a new one-unit elective covering career decision-making, professional branding, networking strategies and interview preparation.

Modern Woodmen’s sponsorship builds on a relationship with CBU that began through career fairs and employer engagement.

“We see a strong alignment between CBU’s values and our own, but we also see students who are exceptionally prepared,” said Bennett L. Sperber III, managing director at Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial. “They understand what future employers expect of them and are ready to contribute.”

The new name, expanded programming and employer partnerships reflect CBU’s commitment to preparing students to take what they learn in the classroom into their professions and communities.