Manhattan University Awarded $3 Million U.S. Department of Education Grant to Launch Pathways to Practice

October 8, 2026 - 01:34

Manhattan University has secured a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to fund a new initiative called Pathways to Practice. The program is designed to strengthen career readiness and academic advising for students across multiple disciplines.

The grant, awarded through a competitive federal process, will support the creation of structured pathways that connect classroom learning with real world professional experience. University officials say the funding will allow for expanded advising staff, new internship partnerships, and dedicated resources for students who may face barriers to entering the workforce after graduation.

Pathways to Practice will focus on pairing students with mentors in their fields of study, offering workshops on job search skills, and building relationships with employers in the region. The initiative is expected to serve thousands of students over the next several years.

Administrators noted that the program reflects a growing emphasis on measurable career outcomes in higher education. By embedding professional development into the academic experience from the first year onward, the university aims to improve graduation rates and post graduation employment.

The grant will be distributed over a multiyear period, with the first phase launching in the coming academic year. University leaders said they will track student participation and job placement results to measure the program's success.