Students in the Laurie Riley ’82 Center for Career Success. Photo by Nick Chismar ’20

BETHLEHEM, PA, May 13, 2026: Today, Moravian University announced that the Laurie Riley ’82 Center for Career Success (the Riley Center) has been named the recipient of the Career Readiness Excellence Award by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). This prestigious award recognizes innovative best practices in career services that intentionally integrate career readiness competencies into work with students and alumni, strengthening preparation for internships and post-graduate careers. Only one award is granted each year.

NACE, the leading source of information on the employment of the college-educated, selects award recipients based on demonstrated success in preparing students for the workforce the Riley Center was recognized for its integration of NACE’s eight Career ReadinessCompetencies, including critical thinking, communication, and technology, into the Moravian University Elevate undergraduate experience.

In fall 2025, Elevate engaged 1,412 Moravian University students, representing 81% of the student body, with more than 20,500 digital badge submissions and 875 advising appointments, demonstrating both scale and sustained engagement across campus.

“Receiving the Career Readiness Excellence Award is a testament to the transformative work being done by our team at the Riley Center,” said Nicole Loyd, chief operating officer, executive vice president, and dean of students at Moravian University. “At Moravian, we don’t just want our students to graduate; we want them to be career-ready from day one. This national recognition from NACE confirms that our approach to career development is setting the standard for all of higher education.”

Under the leadership of the Riley Center, Moravian University has advanced several initiatives that contributed to this recognition, including:

  • Career Readiness Digital Badges: A program that enables students to connect co-curricular experiences to the NACE competencies while building marketable micro-credentials, powered by Suitable
  • Career-Focused Partnerships: A strategic employer partnership model that connects regional and national employers directly with Moravian talent.
  • Career Readiness Curriculum: A structured approach that prepares students to enter the workforce with confidence and the ability to make an immediate impact.

“This award belongs to our students, faculty, and employer partners who have embraced the vision that career success starts the moment a student steps onto campus,” said Kristin Eicholtz, dean for the Center of Career Success. “Being recognized by NACE for excellence in best practices validates our commitment to providing a meaningful career journey for every student.”

The Laurie Riley ‘82 Center for Career Success team includes: Kristin Eicholtz, Ryan Smolko, Christina Crawford, Amy Hudock, Kelly Gallagher, Taylor Patino, Jaclyn Rodick, Josh Knepp, Emily Overholt, Jennifer McKinley, and Lori Boyle. 

The award will be formally presented at the NACE Annual Conference, where Moravian University will be recognized  as a national model for career services innovation.

Media contact:
Moravian University
Michael Corr
corrm@moravian.edu 
610.861.1365

About Moravian University
Moravian University, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is the nation’s sixth-oldest university and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. For more than 280 years, Moravian University’s education has been preparing each individual for a reflective life, fulfilling careers and transformative leadership in a world of change. Moravian University is a member of The New American Colleges and Universities (NACU), a national consortium of private comprehensive colleges and universities working together to graduate extraordinary professionals for a global workforce and society. 

In 2024, Moravian University became part of a World Heritage designation when Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem, Gracehill (Northern Ireland, UK), and Herrnhut (Saxony, Germany) joined Christiansfeld (Denmark) as a single World Heritage Site—Moravian Church Settlements. Moravian is just the second university in the United States to be part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation and only the eighth university in the world to have this recognition.

Visit moravian.edu to learn more about how Moravian University prepares its students for lifelong success.