Center for Vocational Discovery

Integrated with Quest Week when first-year students arrive on campus, year one builds a foundation for the journey. You will take a strengths assessment and your Lipscomb Experience, Story of Israel and Story of Jesus courses will help you discern character traits that align with various occupations and interests. Chapels, spiritual formation activities, workshops and retreats are all part of the first-year CVD experience.

Lipscomb’s CVD first-year focus is on supporting students’ understanding of truth and discernment as they discuss identity and explore their source of truth. This is done in their initial course, Lipscomb Experience, and in their Bible courses. The intellectual virtues of reflection, critical thinking, and autonomy are grown as students explore their strengths and discern what their true north is for making judgments.

Year two goes deeper. You will explore questions of life purpose through workshops, opportunity exploration, cross-cultural discovery and spiritual formation activities. In addition, through the sophomore Bible courses, Story of the Church and Faith and Culture, you will learn through case studies on community, discernment, empowerment and mission.

Moral virtues are grown as students consider their purpose as a second-year focus in the CVD. Students explore how they find meaning through work, cross-cultural opportunities, and spiritual formation. Students learn respect, humility, and justice as they engage with others.

By your third year you will engage in your field of study. The CVD will work with you on college-specific integration and offers Faith + Work Fellowships and internship opportunities. Though these experiences, you will better understand how to use your gifts and talents to make a difference in the world. In year three, you can also engage in workshops, spiritual formation opportunities and an examination of Cross-Cultural Engagement and Reconciliation.

Lipscomb’s CVD third-year focus is on students applying and integrating their skills, gifts, and talents to be good citizens and to serve those around them.

During your fourth year, you will continue to explore and refine how you plan to use your gifts and talents to better the world. The year includes continued college-specific integration and furthering initiatives you began during your junior year. As you conclude your undergraduate Lipscomb education, you will be prepared to leave confidently equipped and committed for the sake of the world.

As students enter their last year in the CVD, they are deeply working in their major to develop their skills, gifts, and talents to confidently enter the workplace and their communities.