A Career Spark

Seattle University is a recipient of the 2025 Handshake Career Spark Award, placing the institution among the Top 2 percent of more than 1,500 higher education partners nationwide using the Handshake career platform.

The award recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate excellence in student and employer engagement and the use of data and analytics to support career readiness.

At Seattle University, the recognition reflects a campus-wide effort led by the Career Engagement Office to integrate career readiness throughout the student experience. A key part of this approach has been ensuring students gain early access to career tools, with every incoming student receiving a Handshake account at least 60 days before their first day on campus.

Handshake plays a central role in how career support operates at the university. The platform serves as the applicant tracking system for all on-campus student jobs and is also used to manage beneficial career events such as job fairs and workshops. Over the past year, students applied for more than 3,500 jobs through Handshake, more than 1,800 students attended career-related events and more than 900 employers reached out directly to students through the platform.

“This award is a powerful affirmation of Seattle University’s commitment to ensuring every student has early, equitable and meaningful access to career opportunities,” says Carol Lwali, director of the Career Engagement Office. “It reflects the intentional, behind-the-scenes work our team and campus partners have invested to create a seamless and data-informed experience that truly supports student success.”

A significant part of the work behind the recognition involved closely examining how Handshake was being used across campus.

“We took a comprehensive look at how we were using Handshake, reviewing student engagement, employer interactions and the data behind it, to identify gaps and opportunities,” says Christian Russell, assistant director of external relations and operations.

That review led to improvements in data accuracy, system alignment and long-term processes to ensure information remained clean and consistent. The effort required close collaboration with campus partners, including Information Technology Services, Student Employment and the Albers Career Center, resulting in a more streamlined and reliable experience for students, staff and employers.

The Career Engagement Office also worked to make Handshake more accessible to students by curating employer collections that group together opportunities by interest and need. These groupings highlight employers with strong alumni representation, organizations that hire international students and careers in the arts, for example. Analytics from the platform help the team identify gaps in engagement and adjust outreach to better support diverse student populations.

On the employer side, improved data accuracy has made it easier to identify and connect with students who are a strong fit for their organization or company. Employers also use Handshake to host targeted engagement opportunities and events, strengthening relationships between industry partners and the university.

The engagement with Handshake doesn’t end once a student graduates. Seattle University has extended Handshake access to alumni for up to five years, supporting graduates as they transition into early career roles and continue exploring professional opportunities.

“What sets Seattle University apart is our holistic, campus-wide ecosystem approach to professional formation,” says Lwali. “We don’t wait for students to come to us. We embed career readiness into the fabric of the student experience from day one, partnering closely with academic and campus life units, student organizations and employers to create pathways that are personal, accessible and mission-driven.”