The University of Indianapolis’ Philosophy and Religion department received the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) grant from The Council of Independent Colleges for its “Vocation and Calling” series.
The grant’s purpose is to “increase the capacity of independent colleges and universities to support their undergraduate students as they explore and discern their many callings in life,” according to NetVUE. James Willis, UIndy Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion, said the grant is just under $20,000 per year and that UIndy is in a group of schools that are eligible to apply for vocational discernment and programming. The hope with the “Vocations and Calling” series, according to Willis, is that it will bridge together different elements of campus to work with students through several types of discernment models.
Willis said that oftentimes students need assistance while working through the details of selecting an academic major that applies to a potential job. Data shows that many people take on jobs that “are very different from their major in college,” according to Willis, so what this series is meant for is for faculty to guide students toward the career they are called to.
“We’re operating on a fellows model, and what that means is that faculty and staff applied earlier this year and received a small stipend in order to participate because it is a little bit beyond the normal duties of faculty and staff,” Willis said. “Between the programming costs and stipends, we are also able to purchase books like ‘Leading Lives That Matter’ and a compendium of various texts that talk about what it means to have a meaningful life.”
Willis said he is in charge of overseeing the day-to-day operations for the series with Jonathan Evans, UIndy Philosophy and Religion Department Chair and Professor. Willis said that James Williams, the Honors College Dean and Associate Professor of History, is providing additional advisory support. Kevin Whiteacre, Department Chair and Professor of Criminal Justice, is serving as the director of assessment for the series. There is also an advisory panel of various people who are in administration and faculty roles that are assisting with the series, according to Willis.
“The NetVUE Scriptural Reasoning grant represents a significant opportunity for our department and the broader UIndy community,” UIndy Philosophy and Religion Co-Department Chair Nathan Johnson said. “By fostering deep, meaningful dialogue across different faith traditions and grounded in their holy writ, this project underscores our commitment to vocational exploration, global citizenship and critical thinking. We are thrilled to see our students engage with these vital texts in ways that prepare them for a diverse and interconnected world.”
