A Smarter Way to Navigate College: Life Design at CofC

College is full of choices – majors, internships, clubs, friend groups, study abroad and part-time jobs – and students are expected to make those decisions while adjusting to living away from home.

Life Design, launched in the fall of 2025, was developed to help students sort through the choices. Life Design provides a structured, individualized way to try, learn and try again, building confidence, clarity, communication and empathy along the way.

“Life design is really a holistic way to look at yourself as a student and say, ‘Yes, I’m going to get a degree. Yes, I’m going to get a job, but I have all these other things in my life I want to do. How do I work those into it?’” says Kristen McMullen, executive director of the College’s Life Design Program and instructor of design thinking.

On this episode of the Speaking of … College of Charleston podcast, we explore the College of Charleston’s Life Design Center and how it helps students move from uncertainty to action through individualized coaching, practical tools and community support.

Listen to this episode now on all major podcast platforms, or watch on YouTube!

So … what is Life Design (in practical terms)?

Life Design is a hands-on, design-thinking approach to making decisions and building a life you love. 

Instead of trying to find the one perfect plan, students learn how to:

• Get curious about what energizes them
• Explore options without pressure
• Test ideas through real experiences (a class, conversation, internship or campus role)
• Adjust when they learn something new or change their minds

Where it is and what happens when a student walks in?

The Life Design Center is located at 14 Greenway, just a short walk from the library.

“Come in anytime,” says McMullen. “The door is always open.”

A first visit usually starts simple: a get-to-know-you conversation and a few questions that help students name what’s really going on underneath the stress. McMullen and her team of trained coaches often ask things like:

• Why did you choose your major?
• What do you love to do?
• What are you trying to balance right now?

The goal is to help students clarify what they want and steps on how to start the journey. One of the biggest misconceptions about Life Design is that students need to arrive with a problem.

“I feel like a lot of people are waiting to come to Life Design with like a problem, but that’s not what you have to do,” says student coach Katie Brown, a sophomore double-majoring in Spanish and business administration. “We’re here to start setting up how you want to design your life.” 

National data shows: 

• 75% of high school students say real-world learning experiences (internships, apprenticeships) are essential for success. 
• 39% of graduates feel their education did not prepare them for the workforce. 
• 81% of students report mental health impacts affecting their academics. 

Life Design addresses these challenges by: 

• Guiding students through self-discovery, exploration and career prototyping
• Linking academic interests to career possibilities and needed experiences
• Building socio-emotional readiness, resilience and belonging 

Design My Charleston 

Design My Charleston helps students early in their journey design the next four years at the College. It’s not about having everything figured out; it’s about getting curious, trying new things and learning by doing. 

Through workshops, circles, coaching and creative tools students will design: 

• A campus life that is energizing 
• A path that reflects passions and purpose 
• A future that feels exciting, not overwhelming 

Life Launch: Design My Life (juniors, seniors, grad students)

As graduation gets closer, Life Launch helps students widen the lens beyond what job should I get and focus on building a life that feels meaningful, sustainable and exciting. 

“In my freshman year, Life Design helped me stop guessing about my future,” says Luke Morris, a senior finance major. “Instead of waiting for an opportunity to fall in front of me, I learned to take action, build relationships, and create my own opportunities. It completely changed how I approach my time in college, and my career.”

Life Design by the Numbers (Fall 2025)

• Nearly 300 students connected with the Life Design Center at least once.
• Most engagement came early: 57% of participants were first- and second-year students.
• Top ways students engaged: 1:1 coaching and casual events
• Student leadership is built in: 29 student leaders served as student coaches, ambassadors, influencers and a research assistant (some in multiple roles).

Life Design is curated to each student’s journey. Coaches help students clarify what they want right now and map a realistic next step, whether they are choosing a major or planning for life after graduation. As goals change, the plan changes too, so students stay supported instead of stuck.