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Career Connect and Internship & Volunteer Fair Achieve Record Student Engagement
Students flocked to career-focused events to make connections and meet potential employers
University News | March 11, 2025
Virginia Wesleyan University’s recent Career Connect series and Career Fair, held on campus during the first week of March, saw unprecedented participation, with more than 360 students attending the career-focused events. The annual Career, Internship & Volunteer Fair alone attracted more than 250 students, who engaged with 25 employers to explore job, internship, and volunteer opportunities.
The Career Connect series, a collaboration between The Learning Center and Career Development, featured industry-specific panels on three consecutive evenings:
The Arts & Humanities panel included VWU Assistant Professor of Art Derek Eley; Masai Kofa-Wilson (The Urban League); Nikki Thorpe (Virginia Symphony); VWU Brand and Design Manager Kayla Monroe; Janet Roach (13NewsNow); and Heather Hakimzadeh (Virginia MOCA). VWU Associate Professor of Classics Ben Haller was also available for discussions.
The Health & Science panel featured William Keyt (Sentara Norfolk General Hospital); VWU alumna Mayanni McCourty, (Virginia Department of Environmental Quality); VWU Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Coordinator of Sentara Nursing Program Kevin Kittredge; VWU alumna Morgan Decastro (CHKD) and Marc Moran (Heart HomeCare & Hospice). In addition, Danny O'Connor, Mitchell Pitts, and Julie Wilson from the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, along with VWU Professor of Recreation Therapy Kristen Fedesco participated in the discussion.
The Criminal Justice, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity panel included VWU Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Scott Liverman; ODU Doctoral Student and Criminal Justice Adjunct Hayley Jackey; VWU Alumna and Criminal Justice Adjunct Wynter Edwards; and retired Norfolk PD and NCIS Agent Abdullah Al-Alaj, now a computer science and cybersecurity professor at VWU; Retired Captain of VBPD and NCIS Agent Dennis Santos; and U.S. Marshal and VWU Alumnus Jason Silva.
At the Career, Internship & Volunteer Fair, students networked with local employers including: Heart HomeCare & Hospice, BayPort Credit Union, Busch Vacuum Solutions, Campus 757 (Hampton Roads Workforce Council), Dollar Tree & Family Dollar, Norfolk Public Library, SECEP (Southeastern Educational Programs), UVA Health (Nursing), Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and Zim American Integrated Shipping Services Company LLC.
“It seemed like there was a lot more traffic this year,” noted VWU student Lily Reslink. “All the employers were really kind and genuine and cared about their organizations. It seemed like there was a lot of good engagement.”
Employers also praised the event. Dani Ray of Zim American Integrated Shipping Services Company LLC highlighted VWU’s hospitality. “We always look forward to this career fair for the opportunity to introduce our industry to students since a lot don’t know about us. And, the food is simply the best!”
VWU alumna Jennaphur Nixon, representing Virginia College Advising Corps, valued the student interactions. “Our favorite part is interacting and speaking with students who are passionate about what we do.”
Students will have opportunities to continue networking at the upcoming Career Development Social Hour on March 14 at 2:30 p.m. in the Lighthouse.
Learn more about Career Development at VWU.