This academic year has brought a new and invigorated focus on employer interaction on campus — with students benefitting from internship and career opportunities. 

One tangible result: The graduating class of 2022 has achieved a success rate (percent of students employed or seeking additional education) of 91%. 

For example, what began in May 2022 as a conversation at Delta Airlines headquarters between Delta Air Lines President Glen Hauenstein ’82 and Stetson officials has led to a new strategic approach of creating unique and engaging experiences for employers and students on campus. The vision has fully materialized — bringing not only elite employers to DeLand, but also bringing back “incredible alumni who are reengaging with their alma mater and keeping the fire alive for Stetson talent at their organizations,” noted Stacy Collins ’04 ’08, executive director of Stetson’s Career and Academic Success. 

Last October at the first-ever Delta Day, 98 students attended an open session to hear “why Delta stories,” hosted by Shantra Laye, Delta Air Lines university recruiting manager and others. Max Perez Duel ’20, a commercial strategy analyst at Delta Air Lines, returned to campus to share his experience and his commitment to help other Stetson students follow his path to a career at Delta.  

Later that month, the Fall Internship & Career Expo attracted 62 employers and 352 students. 

In February, Stetson hosted the first-ever Disney Day, where 465 students interacted with Disney executives and team members from Disney World Company Casting Services, Disney Vacation Club, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 20th Century Studios. There were 26 Disney team members in all; four of them were Stetson alumni. 

And, while these efforts are proving to be successful, Employer Takeovers is perhaps even more noteworthy, cited Liz Connor ’21, associate director of Career and Professional Development. 

On those days, employers have full range of the campus to interact with students, faculty and administrators at various locations, which has resulted in immediate opportunities of internships and careers. As part of a pilot program, there have been 10 Employer Takeovers this year, with more to come. Many of the employers are pleasantly surprised that even first-year students are taking advantage of the opportunity to start networking. Northwestern Mutual had two first-year students for their first appointments of the day!  Brown & Brown came with four Stetson alumni and left with set-up meetings for at least two students to follow up on internship and career opportunities.  

This year,” Collins concluded, “is just the beginning of dynamic experiences to connect employers, alumni and students on our campus. This is the Stetson difference.”

– Alicia Scott