AIC Plan for Excellence (APEX)

The AIC Plan for Excellence (APEX) is a two‑course sequence that supports students from their first year through their transition into professional life.

College Success

The first course, AIC1005: Pathways to College Success, is a 3‑credit, first‑year course with no prerequisites. It equips students with the academic skills they need to succeed, such as critical thinking, writing, oral communication, digital literacy, and AI literacy, while also helping them explore academic pathways and future careers.

A key component of AIC1005 is teaching students how to build meaningful connections and practice early networking, including interacting on LinkedIn, following professionals and organizations, and using those interactions to explore career interests and begin developing their professional identity. These experiences, combined with mentoring and participation in engaging, help students more effectively explore their interests and confirm that they are in the right major. This course will help students build confidence and competence as new college learners.

Professional Success

Students later continue their APEX journey with AIC3005: Pathways to Professional Success, a 2‑credit course taken in the junior year. AIC3005 requires completion of AIC1005/AIC1100 and prepares students for internships, capstone work, research and professional employment. The course builds advanced career‑readiness skills by guiding students in refining their personal brand (resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn), practicing effective communication and networking, conducting informational interviews, and developing cultural and social awareness for workplace success.

Both AIC1005 and AIC3005 are required APEX courses for graduation, ensuring every AIC student is equipped with the academic grounding, personal growth, and professional readiness needed to thrive beyond college.