September 1, 2026
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) has presented its Professional Development Award to Professor of History James Frusetta through its Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE). The grant is designed to enhance vocational advising at the College.
Funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., the Professional Development Award is presented to NetVUE member institutions to support “initiatives that develop campus conversations about vocation and deepen the capacity of those who lead vocational exploration efforts,” according to the CIC. Frusetta’s winning proposal will foster discussion and develop training modules that facilitate vocational advising with the support of the $19,900 NetVUE award.
“This grant will help advisors deepen and broaden how we advise, refining how we ask students not just ‘what do you want to do?’ but also ‘who do you want to be?’" says Frusetta. “One of the things that H-SC does very well is advising students academically. There's plenty of engagement. Historically, though, we've underappreciated the vocation part in terms of allocating resources, and this grant helps address that.”
Now active for 13 years, NetVUE is a collective of roughly 350 colleges and universities from across the country, managed by the CIC. It seeks to advance a stronger understanding of professional direction and self-awareness among undergraduate students. In addition to Hampden-Sydney, 45 member institutions received Professional Development Awards this year.
College officials see an excellent opportunity in advancing vocational exploration as “good men and good citizens” formed “in an atmosphere of sound learning” are ever increasingly needed in all facets of American society.
The new funding stands to enrich the H-SC student experience through increased professional awareness and self-discovery, ensuring that Tigers graduate not only ready to build successful careers, but also equipped to lead lives of purpose and impact.