Empowering Belongingness and Servingness at St. Mary’s University

These badges provide a foundation, or a BASE, for your success at St. Mary’s University. Through this initiative, students can earn one or more of our competency-based digital badges, designed to deepen their sense of belongingness and servingness while preparing them for post-baccalaureate success. These badges are a valuable addition to the portfolio, LinkedIn and social media profiles, showcasing students’ development in key areas such as leadership, communication and cultural competency. While not required, earning these badges is highly encouraged to help students connect with the St. Mary’s community and build a strong foundation for their academic and professional journey.

What Digital Badges Are Available and How Do Students Earn Them?

Below is an overview of the digital badges offered through the BASE program and a link to the specific earning criteria for each badge, which includes participating in designated activities or events and submitting a brief reflection.

Students can check out Canvas Credentials for the latest activities and events related to the BASE Digital Badges and start building a strong sense of belonging and academic success at St. Mary’s University.

Self-Development Badge

First Year: Personal Growth

Complete the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) assessments and attend an event focused on self-awareness, such as those sponsored by the Wellness Center. Reflect on your growth and how it relates to your assessment results in a one-page reflection.

Earning Requirements

Critical Thinking Badge

First Year: Analytical Skills

Participate in activities that enhance critical thinking, such as attending library or Rattler Success Center workshops. Share your experience on social media or submit a published research link to your First Year Seminar professor.

Earning Requirements

Renovando la Comunidad Badge

First Year: Community Renewal

Participate in the Zaragoza First Year Seminar session or provide feedback during a “Renovando La Comunidad” session. Reflect on your contributions and how they can improve the First Year Seminar experience for future students.

Earning Requirements

Technological Adaptation Badge

First Year: Tech Proficiency

Attend a technology workshop or create a multimedia project (like a video or podcast) about your life or St. Mary’s University. Submit your project and reflect on your new technological skills.

Earning Requirements

Cultural Competency Badge

First Year: Inclusion and Equity

Attend an event that promotes cultural competency, such as a workshop by the Office of Inclusive Excellence or a minority RSO event. Document your participation with photos and submit a reflection on the experience to your First Year Seminar professor via Canvas.

Earning Requirements

Community Engagement Badge

First Year: Service and Community

Participate in two community service experiences through GivePulse or engage in events like Continuing the Heritage Day of Service. Reflect on how these activities enriched your understanding of service and submit your reflection via Canvas.

Earning Requirements

Teamwork Badge

First Year: Collaborative Skills

Participate in a team-based project, whether academic or extracurricular. Reflect on your teamwork experience, discussing the challenges and growth it facilitated and submit your reflection via Canvas.

Earning Requirements

Leadership Badge

First Year: Leadership Development

Complete the Clifton Strengths test and participate in a leadership activity, such as joining an RSO or attending a Student Life Leadership Series event. Reflect on how you will develop your leadership strengths and submit your reflection via Canvas.

Earning Requirements

Professional Development Badge

First Year: Career Readiness

Complete your Digital Profile on Handshake and participate in one of the career-focused activities, such as attending a Career Fair or workshop. Reflect on your experience and submit a one-page reflection to your First Year Seminar professor.

Earning Requirements

Communication Badge

First Year: Effective Communication

Engage in communication-focused activities like visiting all your professors during office hours or completing an oral presentation. Reflect on how these experiences improved your communication skills and submit your reflection via Canvas.

Earning Requirements

  • Contact Us

    Betsy Smith
    Chair and Associate Professor of Political Science and Associate Dean
    St. Louis Hall, Room 316
    210-431-2186
    bsmith27@stmarytx.edu

    Carolyn Tubbs
    Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
    Charles Francis Hall, Room 224
    210-438-6418
    ctubbs@stmarytx.edu

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