Media Contact:
| ETS: | Kristen Mitchel |
|---|---|
| Email: | kmitchell002@ets.org |
| American University: | AU Communications |
| Contact no. | 202-885-5950 |
| Email: | aumedia@american.edu |
PRINCETON, NJ and WASHINGTON, DC - (April 28, 2026)—ETS and American University (AU) have announced a strategic pilot of Futurenav Compass, an AI-powered platform designed to help students translate academic learning into clear, actionable career pathways. The partnership arrives as both universities and employers work to bridge the gap between applied learning and professional workforce integration.
The pilot aligns with AU’s 2026–30 strategic plan, Meet Our Moment, which emphasizes the intersection of civic engagement, global citizenship and meaningful careers. Through this collaboration, ETS and AU will integrate the measurement of essential civic skills—including democratic engagement, civil discourse and social impact—directly into Futurenav Compass. Participating students will gain a clearer “line of sight” from their educational journey to sustainable employment.
“In today’s competitive talent market, we are focused on finding practical and meaningful ways to connect our students with industry professionals and to build partnerships that advance their futures,” said AU Provost Vicky M. Wilkins. “Our collaboration with ETS will allow students to map and document their practice of key skills across courses, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and internships, and to see how those experiences shape their readiness for work and public life. This skills transcript will give students a clearer view of their strengths and a powerful way to share their stories with employers and other audiences. At American University, we are excited about what this partnership will mean for our students as they prepare to graduate and take their next steps.”
What is Futurenav Compass?
Futurenav Compass is a research-based, skill measurement platform that provides practical skills assessment as well as career navigation and real-time labor market intelligence. The platform helps students identify relevant career options, map next steps and connect to jobs and internships that align with their skills and interests. The pilot will also focus on the creation of a civic skills transcript, while equipping university faculty and staff with scalable advising tools and actionable data to better support students.
“American University is making an intentional bet on preparing students not just to graduate, but to thrive in a complex global workforce and contribute as productive, engaged global citizens,” said Ken Eisner, managing director of global higher education to workforce and K-16 skills at ETS. “With Futurenav Compass, we’re combining American’s deep strength in civic learning with labor market data and skills intelligence to help students create, act upon and achieve their career goals and ambitions.”
By focusing on skills and making them both visible and portable, ETS and AU aim to empower students with greater confidence as they navigate their educational and professional decisions. This pilot demonstrates how AI-powered skills navigation supports long-term success, guiding students well beyond graduation and into their burgeoning careers.
To learn more about Futurenav Compass, visit https://www.ets.org/futurenav/compass
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About ETS
ETS is a global education and talent solutions organization enabling lifelong learners to be future ready. Our mission—advancing the science of measurement to power human progress—drives our focus on helping everyone, everywhere, demonstrate their skills and chart their path to future readiness for life. We deliver trusted assessments and skills solutions—including TOEFL, TOEIC, GRE, Praxis, and Futurenav—and groundbreaking initiatives powered by our Research Institute. With a global footprint in more than 200 countries and territories, we help over 50 million individuals each year measure their proficiency and unlock new opportunities. Learn more at www.ets.org.
About American University
American University leverages the power and purpose of scholarship, learning, and community to impact our changing world. AU’s faculty, students, staff, and alumni shape the future through research and scholarship in areas including artificial intelligence, civic life, and the sciences. Building on our 133-year history of education and research, AU is committed to addressing the world’s pressing issues. To learn more about American University, visit american.edu