The Griffin Edge

Your Distinctive Mercy Experience
 

The world is constantly shifting and changing, and tomorrow’s leaders need to be able to assess, adapt, and respond to challenges they face, no matter how difficult.

You might be thinking: “That’s intimidating. I want to be successful and make a difference, but how can I overcome obstacles I face?”

The answer starts with The Griffin Edge. 

The Griffin Edge is a personalized journey that will help you connect the dots between your GMercyU experiences and your future aspirations. The five E's that make up The Griffin Edge -- Excellence, Engagement, Experience, Empathy, and Encouragement -- become the backdrop for understanding and telling your story in concrete and meaningful ways, so you can ace future job interviews and launch a successful career.
 

Here’s how the Griffin Edge works:

Excellence: What you learn and who you learn from is crucial. With curricula that are designed to help you develop the skills employers most want and need, and faculty who are truly invested in your success, you will have the tools you need to succeed. Programs such as the Griffin Student Leadership Institute and the Honors Program help you further expand your horizons, so that when you’re in your career, you can make the maximum impact.

Engagement: Closely tied to Excellence, Engagement is all about what you do in addition to your studies. Making long-lasting connections with professors and classmates, taking part in activities and clubs, and serving the community are all ways that Engagement shapes who you become once you graduate.

Experience: You can’t learn everything in the classroom. The most successful graduates gain hands-on experience that can directly translate into skills that they’ll need in their careers. As a part of the Griffin Edge, there are endless possibilities to gain experience, from clinicals, student teaching, undergraduate research, study abroad, internships, and more!

Empathy: Mercy is our middle name. Addressing the needs of others is what we do. As a GMercyU Griffin, you'll have the opportunity to participate in experiences that are directly connected to our University Mission and Core Values. Whether it's participating in Alternative Spring Break and other community service opportunities, or refining your leadership style as part of one of our many clubs or organizations, you will develop the tools -- and values -- to make a difference for yourself and for others.

Encouragement: Last, but certainly not least, Encouragement is the final piece of the puzzle of the Griffin Edge. To find your passion, it takes risks. Encouragement gives you the support to take that courageous step. The Griffin Edge helps develop and nurture your enthusiasm, for both your profession and the community around you through faculty and staff mentors, student support services, and so much more! We'll be there to guide you every step of the way.

The Griffin Edge is here to help you get to where you want to go and make real, meaningful change both for yourself and for others.

The Griffin Edge E-Portfolio 

Unlike many e-portfolios that simply become a place where students store projects and other coursework, your Griffin Edge E-Portfolio is a place where you can take ownership of your educational journey and develop your personal story – a story that you can ultimately share with future employers in a meaningful and impactful way. 

How It Works 

Students are encouraged to make meaningful choices in academic and co-curricular experiences where they will develop personally and professionally. Through distinctive Mercy “touchstone” experiences in and out of the classroom, students will learn to make connections and articulate what they are learning. 

• Upload multi-media coursework, projects, and personal reflections about your in-classroom and out-of-classroom experiences
• Capture your thoughts on how these experiences can shape your future
• Engage in dialogue and receive feedback from faculty, staff, peers, and mentors about where you are and where you want to go

Why It Matters

• Reflecting on what you’re doing while you’re doing it will provide focus and purpose to your educational journey
  • It will confirm that you chose the right major – or help you find one that plays better to your strengths and interests
  • It will help you identify and talk about your strengths, experiences and aspirations
  • It will help you fill in any gaps in knowledge or experience that can help you achieve your goals
• The ability to tell your story – in concrete and meaningful ways – will help you stand out from the crowd. 
  • For example, a student might say in a job interview: "I conducted research at the undergraduate level."
  • But a Griffin Edge student might say: "The opportunity to conduct my own research alongside expert faculty taught me the importance of being exact in my data collection and analysis. I was even able to present my findings at our annual research conference! I know this is the career for me."

College is about so much more than going to class, making friends, and joining clubs and organizations.  It’s about figuring out how you want to live your life.  The Griffin Edge will help you set the right course.

That's the Griffin Edge. Your Distinctive Mercy Experience.