Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve.
Name: Regan Stillman, Class of 2025
Hometown: Linwood, New Jersey
Major: Finance and Marketing, minor in Sales
Post-graduation plans: Regan has joined BMW Manufacturing as a Corporate Communications Intern in Spartanburg, South Carolina while pursuing her MBA at Clemson University. In this role, she assists with media visits, community‑sponsored initiatives, and internal and external events that strengthen the company’s brand and engagement efforts. Regan also contributes to marketing materials, supports major community campaigns such as the BMW Charity Pro‑Am and the United Way Campaign, and collaborates with cross‑functional teams to develop creative communication strategies.
How HPU helped you get there: “HPU played a major role in preparing me for where I am today. The combination of what I was learning in the classroom, hands on experiences and real-world expectations helped me transition smoothly into my role at BMW. I learned how to present myself professionally, communicate confidently and take initiative in unfamiliar situations.
HPU also encouraged me to think bigger and set higher goals for myself. It’s because I was surrounded by faculty, resources and opportunities that pushed me to grow, that I became much more confident going after competitive internships and jobs. That mindset helped me apply to BMW, pursue my MBA at Clemson and believe I could thrive in both environments.”
Most impactful mentor at HPU: “My most impactful mentor at HPU was April Cosner, instructor of business communication. Ever since I took her class, we have stayed in touch and she helped me grow tremendously. She helped me with my resume, taking the time to make sure my skills were reflected in a way that showed my potential and she even helped me revise my graduate school application essay that landed me a spot in Clemson’s MBA program. She was very encouraging and helped me feel more confident applying to opportunities that I thought I might not get which ultimately made me comfortable applying to BMW and getting this amazing opportunity. Without her help and confidence in me, I am not sure I would have thought I could end up where I am now.”
Most impactful moment at HPU: “My most impactful moment at HPU was joining the Honors College. Finch Hall quickly became a place where I found a true community, but it was also the academic experience that shaped me the most. Instead of traditional lecture and test classes, my courses were built around discussion, debate and learning to see issues from multiple perspectives. Our chemistry class focused on how chemistry affects daily life, and our music class explored how music shapes identity and connects people across cultures, lessons that stayed with me far beyond the classroom. Being part of the Honors College also gave me the opportunity to study abroad in Prague, where I learned not only about history and culture, but also about myself and how to navigate the world with more confidence and independence. Looking back, no experience at HPU changed me more than being a part of this program.”
How has HPU’s inspiring environment contributed to your success? “Working in a manufacturing plant is a very different environment from a normal corporate setting. There are a lot of moving parts and working in communications things change quickly. HPU’s campus helped me adjust to a bunch of different settings including the glass walls for classes, working in boardrooms and learning to not be distracted by my environment. This has helped me a lot because I feel a lot less distracted than I might be if I wasn’t used to changing environments. Since I work in communications, I am part of a lot of important meetings and have to speak with a lot of upper management and I do not shy away from that because those settings do not make me nervous.”
What are the life skills HPU helped you develop that prepared you for long-term success? “HPU helped me develop several life skills that continue to support me in my career. One of the most important is professionalism, specifically knowing how to communicate, present myself and navigate different workplace settings with confidence. This was a major advantage when I started working, especially since many early career professionals do not always come in with those skills fully developed. I also gained strong interpersonal skills, adaptability and a growth mindset. HPU constantly puts students in situations that require teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and self improvement. Learning how to handle feedback, manage responsibilities and stay composed in high pressure settings has prepared me not just for my current role, but for the long-term trajectory of my career.”
What are the values and virtues HPU’s campus helped you develop that you’ll take with you after graduation? “HPU helped me develop a deep commitment to professionalism that has already made a major difference in my career. The expectations set by HPU’s business programs taught me how to communicate clearly, present myself confidently and carry professionalism into everything I do from how I speak and write, to how I manage my online presence and show up in the workplace. Because of that, I stood out early on in the job process, especially as many employers mentioned that not all new graduates come in with those skills fully formed. Another value I gained at HPU is a strong growth mindset. Throughout my time there, I was encouraged to push myself, seek new experiences and continuously look for ways to improve. That mindset shaped how I approach challenges, professional development and long‑term goals. It’s also a huge part of what led me to my role at BMW, because I felt confident pursuing opportunities that pushed me forward personally and professionally.”
What has your internship experience been like and how is it preparing you for your future? “My internship experience has been incredible so far. Every day looks different as I work with various members of my team on their specific focus areas, which has given me exposure to many sides of communications and the manufacturing environment. I’ve had the opportunity to attend community events, help plan internal initiatives in the plant, and support both internal and external communication projects while learning a great deal about the BMW brand and business operations. This experience has allowed me to build my network, strengthen my skills and gain a hands‑on understanding of how a large, fast‑paced organization functions, all of which is preparing me extremely well for my future career.”
Did any portion of your job interview contain a dining component? If so, how did HPU prepare you? “While the interview process did not include a lunch or dinner, on my first day, I was taken to lunch by my manager and I felt prepared on how to be professional while dining. It was my first time meeting her so I wanted to make a good first impression. While some of the other interns meeting their managers were nervous, I felt very confident on how to act.”
How did the Office of Career & Professional Development contribute to your success? “I went to the Office of Career & Professional Development for events like the career fair that helped me get used to talking to recruiters, learning to talk about my skills and asking important questions about a company.”
Advice for underclassmen: “I would say the best thing you can do to be successful after graduation are two things. First, take advantage of every opportunity available because you never know when that will come in handy. I was given the opportunity to interview Dr. Qubein for Sales Club and I took it, and now I am less intimidated to talk to people in positions much higher than mine. Second, I think networking is crucial. People will tell you to network and it might seem obvious or like it is something you think you already do but go out of your way to meet people. Reach out to people on LinkedIn and email them because you never know what could come of that. I am where I am today because of networking.”
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