Langston University Educators Call for Proof of Career Readiness
News related to:AGSM Consulting LLC · 2 min read
After the midterm elections, Dr. Daryl D. Green, a scholar-practitioner and former dean of the Langston University School of Business, along with educators Dr. Heidi O’Donnell and Professor Malayna Hasmanis, called for proof of career readiness at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Dr. Green, who has been in academia for over 20 years, emphasized the need for tangible evidence of students' preparedness for the workforce.
To address this, Green and O’Donnell redesigned Langston’s required business internship course, BA 4993, transforming it from a self-guided process into a structured experience. This new approach included coaching, professional portfolios, mock interviews, AI literacy, supervisor feedback, and assessments aligned with the eight career-readiness competencies of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). The course aimed to prepare students for a world of disruption and ensure they were battle-tested and ready for the challenges ahead.
In spring 2026, the approach yielded positive results. Students' self-assessments in all eight NACE competencies showed significant improvement. For instance, technology skills climbed from 3.19 to 3.65 on a four-point scale. While these findings reflected perceived competency growth, they did not yet include independently verified hiring or employment outcomes.
Professor Hasmanis, Langston’s Second Chance Pell Program Coordinator, highlighted the transformative power of education. In August 2026, seven students earned their business degrees at Oklahoma’s Dick Conner Correctional Center, underscoring the belief that education can transform lives and systems.
Hasmanis also discussed how elements of competency-based career preparation could be adapted for justice-impacted learners. This proposed application remained in development and had not yet been evaluated as an employment-readiness intervention.
The presenters shared five steps that other institutions could adapt to enhance career readiness among their students: 1. Define career competencies 2. Assess students before and after learning experiences 3. Build work samples students can show employers 4. Obtain actionable supervisor feedback 5. Refine at least one practice each semester
This initiative at Langston University represents a practical model for other campuses to follow, emphasizing the importance of measurable outcomes in preparing students for the workforce.