This fall Ursinus College kicked off APEX and welcomed its inaugural APEX class. “This innovative program is designed to equip all students with the career-relevant competencies they’ll need to emerge ready in today’s rapidly changing world,” said Ursinus College Interim President Gundolf Graml.  “More than a program, APEX at Ursinus is our promise to cultivate innovative problem-solvers—leaders prepared to excel in the opportunities of tomorrow.”

 A new learning ecosystem that integrates academics with real-world, experiential learning and career preparation, APEX offers a future-focused pathway with global experiences that is rooted in what students need to succeed in their first job, and in every job after—and it’s all included in regular tuition, room and board.  

APEX is designed around the competencies employers demand most: problem-solving, communication, teamwork, leadership, analytical thinking, and adaptability.  

“Through project-based learning, collaboration with faculty on solutions to global challenges, and opportunities to apply knowledge in real-world contexts, students develop the adaptability, creativity, and problem-solving skills that set them apart,” said Graml.

Built directly into the cost of tuition and all four years of the student journey, APEX offers every student: 

• Up to $2,000 in support for unpaid internships, research, or study abroad
• Team-based career coaching and advising that starts in the first year
• Access to eight new innovation hubs focused on problem solving and jobs of the future
• The opportunity to “Go Global” and explore global career paths during a weeklong travel experience

Ursinus College has reimagined its first-year advising model to create a uniquely integrated structure that pairs every incoming student with a dedicated career and academic coach—before they even set foot on campus. 

This forward-looking approach empowers students to become self-directed learners from day one, blending academic exploration with intentional career development. Rather than channeling students immediately into specific majors, the college connects them with interdisciplinary innovation hubs where they collaborate with external partners. Through this model, students gain real-world skills in design thinking, digital fluency, project management, and entrepreneurship while also cultivating creativity, independence, equity, and social responsibility. Students begin building their networks early through alumni engagement, hands-on learning experiences, and two signature first-year courses: a one-credit academic exploration seminar and a one-credit career exploration lab.

For first-year students joining the college in fall 2026, APEX will also offer the opportunity to “Go Global.” Starting in spring 2027, students will step out of the classroom and into the world for a weeklong travel experience. They will travel nationally or internationally to explore professional pathways and career fields from a global perspective. Guided by faculty mentors, students will gain a deeper understanding of how their on-campus experiences, their interests, and their passions translate to opportunities worldwide.

“Real-world experiences have been embedded into all four years of the student journey,” said Graml. “Students don’t just study ideas at Ursinus, they apply them, test them, and demonstrate their relevance. By graduation, every Ursinus student will leave not only with a degree, but with a portfolio of tangible skills and experiences that prepare them to lead, contribute, and make an impact.”