May 14, 2021

VINCENNES, Ind. – Students in Vincennes University’s national award-winning Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) College Success Program dominated a state competition while showcasing their skills and demonstrating their career readiness.

VU students swept the top three places in the College Success Program category during Indiana’s annual JAG Career Development Conference held virtually at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis on May 7.

Competitors in the event delivered presentations explaining their career pathway and shared how participating in the JAG College Success Program benefits them. JAG is a state-based national organization committed to supporting young people of great promise and focuses on helping them reach economic and academic success.

VU’s Mason Caudill of North Judson, Indiana won first place. Emily Carrico of Winslow, Indiana finished as the runner-up. Gretchen McCrary of Winslow, Indiana took third.

Mason Caudill

"It was an honor to be able to compete in the state JAG CDC against so many other good competitors,” Caudill said. “I was just so happy I won. I enjoyed sharing my story about how the VU JAG College Success Program has helped me. I really want to thank Shaun Brames for all the help he has given me with homework and career planning over the past two years and for talking me into competing in the CDC."

Caudill and McCrary are Conservation Law Enforcement majors. Carrico is majoring in Psychology and Homeland Security.

VU students Cailey Furman and Shania Cremeans, both of Petersburg, Indiana, earned honorable mention honors in the competition.

Shaun Brames

VU JAG College Success Program Manager Shaun Brames was thrilled by all of their achievements.

“I am so proud of these students for all of the work they put into their presentations and then giving them over Zoom,” Brames said. “I am proud of all five of our competitors, all of whom I have been working with for years.”

For numerous reasons, VU’s JAG College Success Program is a standout.

The program won a National Educational Leadership Award in 2020. University representatives received the award during a JAG Board of Directors Meeting in Washington D.C. Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb serves on the Board.

VU hosts the JAG Summer Academy, an immersive college experience, for around 200 high school students annually on the Vincennes Campus. For the second consecutive summer, the weeklong residential event will take place virtually. The Academy focuses on college survival strategies, college readiness, and leadership development activities. It also highlights the outstanding opportunities offered at VU.

Explore the JAG College Success Program at VU. Learn more about VU’s more than 180 bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and certificates. Apply to VU.

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