CO-CURRICULAR PORTFOLIO
Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the purpose of the Co-Curricular Portfolio?

a. To provide students with official documentation of involvement in Co-Curricular activities that would be of value when applying for graduate school or a professional position.

b. To help students develop personal contacts with professional staff from Student Affairs and faculty  across campus who would be of assistance to them in choosing areas of involvement which will meet personal and career goals.

c. To provide an opportunity for personal critique and reflection of extracurricular activities.

2. How is the Co-Curricular Portfolio used?
The official copies of the Co-Curricular Portfolio are used to complement your resume and academic transcript for graduate school admission, internship opportunities or job applications.

3. What type of activities should be submitted?
The Co-Curricular Portfolio is divided into six sections: Leadership Activities; Paraprofessional Work Experience; Honors, Awards and Recognition; Professional or Educational Development; Participation in Student Organizations and Activities; and Service Learning and Volunteer Experiences. Below is the list of these categories with examples of involvement given.

a. Leadership Activities: Includes positions of leadership (Rush Chairperson, Vice- President, Special Events Chair)

b. Paraprofessional Work Experience: Includes on-campus work experience (Resident Assistant, Peer Educator, Student Director, Peer Mentor)

c. Honors, Awards and Recognition: Includes any formal recognition given by the University (Who's Who, Dean's list, Outstanding Student Leader, etc.)

d. Professional or Educational Development Participation in workshops, seminars, conferences (Leadership Conference, Professional conferences, SAIL programs, training, workshops)

e. Participation in Student Organizations and Activities: Includes membership in any group on campus or participation in an extracurricular activity (Fraternity/Sorority member, Black Student Union member, Homecoming , etc.)

f. Service Learning and Volunteer Experiences: Includes involvement in volunteer experiences coordinated through the office of Service Learning and Volunteer Programs or through an external agency with a letter of verification (Adopt-a-block, Dance Marathon, Martin Luther King Day of Service)

 

4. May I include entries for off-campus activities?

Yes, but they must be WCU related activities, within the parameters of the six categories, and able to be validated.

5. When should entries be submitted?

The Entry and Validation form should be submitted either at the completion of the activity, by the stated due date each semester or at least two months prior to graduation.

6. Why not wait until my senior year to complete the forms?

Experience with the Co-Curricular Portfolio indicates that your portfolio will be more complete and accurate if you submit entries each year or at the end of each involvement activity.

7. What will my Co-Curricular Portfolio look like?

See the sample provided.

 

8. How do I submit entries for my portfolio?

Complete the entry form and send via email to portfolio@wcupa.edu, or bring them to Sykes 215 or 238.

 9. Can I make changes to my portfolio?
Yes, please email portfolio@wcupa.edu to make changes.

 10. May I submit the same entry if I continue participation in the group or hold the same office or a number of offices?
Yes. You should submit entries each year. Redundant entries will be avoided by noting an additional year of participation, and all office positions will be noted on the final portfolio.

12. Who can validate my entries?
Validation must be provided by a non-student official or representative directly associated with the activity, (i.e., staff, advisors, faculty) and will be done by the CCP staff.

 13. When will my Co-Curricular Portfolio be completed and reproduced?
You will receive a copy at the end of each school year, but if a copy is needed at an earlier date, a request can be submitted at any time with 14 days advance notice.

14. How do I order copies of my portfolio?
Complete the order form (provided or on the website), send through email to portfolio@wcupa.edu, or drop off in 238 Sykes Union.

 15. Should I make my own copies of the portfolio?
No. Each office portfolio will be an original that is signed by the Vice President of Student Affairs.

16. May I have my portfolio mailed to employers or graduate schools?
No, Co-Curricular Portfolios will only be delivered to the student. They may be picked up in 238 Sykes Union or mailed to the student for a fee of $2.00.

 17. How long are my records kept after graduation?
Records are kept for three years after you have graduated.

18. Who has access to my Co-Curricular Portfolio?
You and the staff working within the program have access. We suggest that you included only information that you feel comfortable documenting with the student staff at the program and recipients of the portfolio.