Cardinal Flight Student Guide
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How Cardinal Flight works
Cardinal Flight recognizes students for completing approved experiential learning experiences that build professional skills, connections and career readiness.
Students earn points by completing approved Engage, Applied and High Impact Experiences. Students must earn 100 points to complete Cardinal Flight.
| Experience Level | Focus | Time Commitment & Involvement | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engage Experiences | Explore opportunities and build connections | Lower time commitment. Typically one-time or short-term experiences focused on exposure, exploration and connection-building. Students participate primarily as attendees or participants. | 5 |
| Applied Experiences | Practice skills through hands-on experiences | Moderate time commitment. Typically involves multiple interactions, a defined role or a project where students apply skills, contribute to outcomes and take on active responsibility. | 25 |
| High Impact Experiences | Lead initiatives and create meaningful impact | Highest time commitment. Typically involves sustained engagement, such as a semester-long experience or equivalent commitment. Students demonstrate significant responsibility, leadership and ownership while contributing to meaningful outcomes or deliverables. | 50 |
Completion Requirement: Students must earn 100 points through approved experiences to complete Cardinal Flight.
Important: Engage Experiences may contribute a maximum of 50 points toward completion. Remaining points must be earned through Applied and/or High Impact Experiences.
Experience Details
Explore opportunities and build connections.
5 Points Per Experience
Engage experiences introduce students to opportunities that help build connections, explore career interests and become involved in the College of Business community.
These experiences focus on participation, exposure and professional exploration.
Examples include:
- College of Business events, panels, programs and professional development opportunities.
- Business Registered Student Organization (RSO) meetings and events.
- Employer engagement opportunities, including information sessions, presentations and company visits.
- Career fairs and networking events.
- Conferences, industry webinars and professional learning opportunities.
- College of Business-affiliated reading groups.
- Digital badges or certificates earned through approved UofL Digital Transformation Center offerings.
Eligibility
Engage experiences must be College of Business-sponsored opportunities or approved Business RSO activities eligible for Cardinal Flight credit.
Approved Engage Experiences will include:
- Cardinal Flight Approved digital stamp on marketing materials.
- “This event is Cardinal Flight approved.” included in the event description.
Practice skills and contribute through hands-on experiences.
25 Points Per Experience
Applied experiences allow students to apply knowledge and skills through hands-on opportunities involving active participation, responsibility and meaningful contribution.
Examples include:
- Internships and co-ops.
- Professional and peer mentoring programs.
- Business competitions.
- Capstone experiences.
- Job shadowing and practicum experiences.
- Campus employment or student ambassador roles.
- Professional employment experiences.
- Research assistantships.
- Registered Student Organization officer roles.
- Study abroad experiences.
- Startup/student-run enterprise involvement.
Lead initiatives and create meaningful impact.
50 Points Per Experience
High impact experiences are advanced experiences requiring significant responsibility, leadership or professional-level contribution. These experiences typically involve a higher level of ownership, commitment and impact.
Examples include:
- Leadership of a major College of Business initiative, program or project.
- Client-based or international consulting projects with defined deliverables.
- Executive leadership roles within recognized Registered Student Organizations (RSOs).
- Entrepreneurship leadership experiences through College of Business programs (e.g., Sandbox, Elevator or other student-run enterprise).
- Startup or venture development leadership experiences.
- Leadership roles within the Student-Managed Investment Fund.
- Other immersive experiences involving significant leadership, ownership or professional-level contribution.
Example completion paths
There is more than one way to complete Cardinal Flight. Students can combine different types of approved Engage, applied and high impact experiences based on their interests, goals and level of involvement.
Note: Engage Experiences may contribute up to 50 points toward the 100-point completion requirement. Remaining points must be earned through Applied and/or High Impact Experiences.
Engage + Applied Path | Applied Path | High Impact Path | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Engage Experiences | = 50 points | 4 Applied Experiences | = 100 points | 2 High Impact Experiences | = 100 points |
| 2 Applied Experiences | = 50 points | ||||
Total: 100 points | |||||
How to complete Cardinal Flight
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1Access Cardinal Flight on Blackboard
The Cardinal Flight Blackboard page is the hub for accessing program resources, submitting requirements, and monitoring completion progress.
Access to the Cardinal Flight Blackboard page is provided by the Cardinal Flight administrator. Students must be a current or recently enrolled College of Business undergraduate student to receive access.
Through the Cardinal Flight Blackboard page, students can:
- Access Cardinal Flight resources.
- Explore approved experiential learning opportunities.
- Track completed experiences.
- Submit required documentation and reflections.
- Monitor progress toward completion.
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2Complete Approved Experiences
Participate in approved Engage, applied and/or high impact experiences that align with Cardinal Flight requirements.
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3Submit Proof of Participation
Students must provide documentation verifying participation in each experience submitted for Cardinal Flight credit.
Examples may include:
- Attendance confirmation or participation records.
- Completion certificates, digital badges, or credential verification.
- Confirmation from a faculty member, supervisor, advisor, employer, or program coordinator.
- Internship, employment, or program verification documentation.
- Project documentation, deliverables, presentations, or completion records.
- Leadership role verification or organizational records.
- Other official documentation that clearly verifies participation or completion.
For College of Business-sponsored events and approved Business RSO events, attendance records must be maintained by the event organizer and sent to the Cardinal Flight administrator.
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4Complete Reflection Requirements
Students complete required reflections connecting Cardinal Flight experiences to their professional growth and career readiness.