Build skills. Gain a competitive edge.
Today’s employers aren’t just looking for knowledge. They’re looking for adaptable, skilled problem-solvers.
That’s why Signature intentionally builds six critical, in-demand skills into your academic journey through the common curriculum and Skill Stacks.
Six Critical Skills
These aren’t just skills — they’re game-changers. Our program builds them into your undergraduate experience so you graduate ready to lead, create, and succeed.
Communication is the most requested skill in the job market, appearing in nearly 34% of U.S. job postings (Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, 2024).
We build it into your undergraduate experience — so you graduate ready to communicate clearly and stand out to employers.
75% of employers say problem-solving is crucial when hiring (Wifitalents, 2023).
That’s why our program pushes you to analyze, adapt, and solve real-world challenges — so you graduate ready to make smart decisions and drive results.
87% of workers say empathy, collaboration, and inclusivity are essential for career growth (Deloitte, 2023).
That’s why we intentionally develop these skills throughout your undergraduate experience — so you graduate ready to lead, work well with others, and grow in any career.
86% of employees and executives say poor collaboration derails workplaces (Salesforce, 2023).
We make sure that doesn’t happen to you. Our program builds real teamwork skills into your undergraduate experience — so you graduate ready to collaborate, contribute, and crush it from day one.
44% of business leaders need employees with data analysis skills now or soon (Gallup, 2023).
Our program gives you hands-on experience with data — so you graduate ready to interpret, analyze, and make smart decisions that matter.
Leadership consistently ranks among the top skills employers seek, alongside communication and problem-solving (NACE, 2023).
Our program helps you develop leadership through real experiences — so you graduate ready to guide, inspire, and make an impact.
Building Confidence: Common Curriculum
Mary Baldwin offers an exciting common curriculum that helps you build confidence in six skills employers value most. These aren’t your standard Gen Ed classes — they’re innovative, interdisciplinary, and designed to ignite your curiosity while giving you a practical foundation for career and life success.
Building Mastery: Skill Stacks
Skill Stacks let you build on the basic skills you learned in the Common Curriculum. Pick one of the six essential skills and complete courses and extra-curriculars to master it. Work with your advisor and career coach to plan out your Skill Stack to complement your major and prepare you for career success.
Skill Stacks can include courses and experiences like the following:
Communication
COMM 101: Public Speaking
ART 117: Software in the Visual Arts
ENG 251: Professional & Technical Writing
Edit MBU’s Outrageous Fortune Magazine
Collaboration
REL 227: Mediation & Conflict Resolution
PSYC 275: Social Psychology
BUAD 350: Project Management I
Participate in a theater production
Problem-Solving
HCA 225: Public Health Issues
POLS 260: Public Policy
BUAD 304: Managing Org Change
Compete in the Ethics Debate Bowl
Data Fluency
Math 233: Statistical Methods & Theory
PSYC 250: Behavioral Statistics
ECON 301: Data Visualization
Design Fighting Squirrel stat charts
Inclusivity
ANTH 120: Culture & Perspective
HIST 214: Sexuality & Society in America
SOC 248: Social Inequality
Communicate across faiths with Quest
Leadership
BUAD 225: Board Governance/Leadership
INT 230: History and Theories of Leadership
PHIL 235: Ethics, Community, & Leadership
Work as a theater stage manager
