Istrate and Martinez: Career development coach Iulia Istrate helps student Elkin Martinez in the career development center located in the Student Success Center on September
18th, 2026. Photo By: Manahil Fatima

For students still figuring out what they want to study, finding the right program at Johnson County Community College can mean sorting through dozens of options and resources. 

JCCC’s first Discovery Day is designed to make that process more interactive, helping students find academic programs, career paths and campus communities that fit them. 

The event grew out of a strategic plan initiative focused on student success and helping students find their way when choosing a major, according to Leslie Washington, director of Career and Transfer Services and one of the event’s organizers. What began as an idea for a major fair expanded to also include student clubs, organizations, career development and admissions. She teamed up with Anne Turney, director of Student Life and Leadership, and Lisa Turner-Hernandez, program director of Admissions. 

“Anne was already doing events with their student clubs that she normally does every year, and we said, ‘Okay, well, how can we collaborate and make this more of an inclusive event where students are able to not just learn about the majors and the programs, but they can also learn about the clubs that they can join, they can help enrich their educational experience, as well as, because we’re career development, helping those students that are first-year or undecided students find a good fit for them based off of their interests,’” Washington said. “Then we also connected with admissions, and so all three of us are collaborating together to make this happen this year.” 

Washington said the event was created in part because students often feel pressure when deciding what they want to do after college, especially early on when the path forward isn’t clear yet. With so many options in front of them, they can end up worrying about picking the wrong career or making a choice they’ll regret later. 

“I think that that pressure of making the right decision are things that make students say, ‘Uh, I don’t know.’ Then you have students that wander when there could be some support to help them discover more about themselves first and then explore and learn from other individuals.” 

“I’m hoping that students find their community at this event so that they walk away feeling more connected to JCCC, the student body, the faculty, and knowing that there’s resources to help them kind of on their career path,” Washington said. 

Rather than simply handing students a pamphlet, Discovery Day lets them interact with faculty and participate in activities connected to different areas of study. 

Lorie Humphrey, a career coach at the Career Development Center who is also involved with organizing Discovery Day, explained that there will be neighborhood-themed communities and interactive activities like painting and collaborative advice tables. An incentive program was also established, giving participants a meal voucher for visiting three key areas (a career coach, resource tables, or activities) and sweet treats for completing a survey.  

“There’ll be a photo booth… you’re going to get free food… it’s set like a street fair, but there’ll be areas of interest that you can go visit and fun things you can explore.” 

Faculty will play a central role in the event, giving students the chance to experience parts of their programs rather than just visiting a table. Washington said the goal is for students to participate in activities, challenge their assumptions, and get a sense of what a program is actually like. 

The college’s commuter-campus environment is another reason organizers see value in connecting students with more than just academic programs. Humphrey said it can be difficult for students at a commuter college to find their people. Students may naturally build connections through classes, but those connections do not happen for everyone. 

The event is meant to connect students with both the academic and social sides of campus, giving them a reason to stick around and see what JCCC has to offer beyond the classes they’re already signed up for. 

“I think this is also trying not only to connect people with spaces, but to programs with topic areas, with things they might really want to plug into,” Humphrey said. 

For Washington, helping students discover JCCC’s resources is especially important because students don’t always know what’s available to them in the first place, whether that’s a specific program, a club, or someone in career services who can point them in the right direction. 

“We have a lot of resources to support students, and so I think a lot of times they don’t know what they don’t know,” she said. “We’re giving them access to professionals and events and things that will help them… we also help you with resumes, mock interviews, internships, jobs to help you gain the experience and the confidence to get you to that exit point where you’re either going into a job or you’re transferring to continue on your education.” 

The Career Development Center, for example, does more than help with resumes and job applications. Washington said career and transfer services can also help students explore majors and careers, connect with professionals and events and prepare for jobs or transfer. 

Washington continued that she hopes the event can eventually expand to include prospective students and provide more direct connections between academic programs and careers. She also envisions bringing industry professionals to future Discovery Days so students can learn about what is happening in their potential fields, as well as mentorship opportunities. 

For its first year, however, the focus is on helping students connect with the college and begin figuring out where they fit. 

“JCCC is built a little bit different than most community colleges because we have so many programs. We have a large community and student body engagement,” Washington said. “Ultimately I’m hoping that this event will help students feel connected, get a sense of belonging, and find their path for what they want to study while they’re here.” 

One student, who hadn’t previously heard of Discovery Day, said he planned to check it out after learning what it involved. He said he’s been wanting to get more involved with the college and to get a better sense of his own academic and career goals.  

Discovery Day will take place on Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at COM Plaza.