Office of Career & Professional Development

Post-graduation plans: Shields will be attending University of Virginia School of Law to pursue a Juris Doctorate.

Name: Sarah Shields

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Major: International business with a minor in French and Francophone Studies

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “I am grateful for many mentors at HPU. Dr. Stoutner was an incredible advisor for my time as a business fellow. Dr. Leclercq’s mentorship also had a huge impact on my success in the French department. In my journey to law school, Dr. Ingram has been an amazing advisor. His mentorship as my Pre-Law advisor was instrumental in my success during this application cycle. Additionally, his courses helped prepare me for the type of work required in law school and I am so grateful for those experiences.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “My most impactful moment at HPU was joining Alpha Phi Omega, the co-ed service fraternity. I am grateful for my time in that organization and the experiences, lessons, and friends it brought me. It was a pleasure to serve alongside my wonderful brothers and I am so happy I joined freshman year.”

Advice for underclassmen: “My advice to underclassmen is to always keep their goals in mind. Law school has been my lifelong dream; having that thought in the back of mind for my three years of undergrad was what kept me going. It can be difficult to push ahead but it is always worth it!”

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Post-graduation plans: Jones joins Qualtrics as a sales development representative where he works on finding clients that could benefit from their experiential management software.

Name: Blake Jones

Hometown: Marietta, Georgia

Major: International business and marketing with a minor in Spanish

How HPU helped you get there: “The classes, experiential learning and their professional development resources gave me the knowledge and skills to get this job. The training I received and the connections I established through the sales career fair allowed me to secure this career. I used the Office of Career and Professional Development to develop my resume that I used for internship and job applications alike. I then utilized their career fair to secure interviews with multiple companies.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “Larry Quinn has been an incredible mentor to me, and helped me secure my job. He also gave me tips on interviewing and contacting these great companies.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “One of my professors freshman year for financial accounting found out that I was a film/TV actor, and he came to me with an opportunity to talk to his son, an executive at Trailblazer Studios in Raleigh, about the film industry. As a nervous freshman, it meant the world to me.”

Advice for underclassmen: “Take advantage of the resources here. Whether its involvement in organizations or the career and professional development office, these installations gave me so many opportunities that I didn’t think possible.”

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Name: Rose Stanas

Hometown: Bedford, New Hampshire

Major: Event management with minors in business administration and fashion merchandising

Post-graduation plans: Stanas joins LaBelle Winery, where she will be responsible for executing a wide range of events including weddings, bridal parties, wine tastings and corporate events. Her other responsibilities include, managing staff, ensuring efficient flow, resolving problems and analyzing the events success.

How HPU helped you get there: “The positive and inclusive environment at High Point University has provided me with an abundance of opportunities for success. The Office of Greek Life gave me a chance to be a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, where I met life long friends, built professional connections, and increased my philanthropic services. The Office of Global Education assisted me in planning and preparing for new cultural experiences during my semester abroad in Scotland. Student employment provided me with time management, communication, and organizational skills which I will carry with me throughout my professional career. The faculty and staff created a positive environment which reminded me to be caring, compassionate, and hard working. The list is never ending because this university has endless opportunities to grow personally and professionally. The Office of Career and Professional Development was a phenomenal resource to assist in resume building, preparation for interviews, and even job searches.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “It is challenging to choose just one impactful mentor at High Point University, for I feel that everyone I’ve encountered throughout my journey has positively impacted my experience. Dr. Clark and Dr. Wiitala, are two inspiring individuals who put forth extra efforts to drive their students motivation, passion, and education. They understand students potential and challenge them to reach it. They have given me insight into the event management industry beyond the classroom and have had a lasting impact on how I will proceed in the field. I am grateful to have encountered two professors who work this hard to make such a positive impact on the lives of their students, myself included.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “During my freshman year at High Point University, I realized that I enjoyed learning. Being at such a well-rounded university re-instilled my desire for knowledge and provided me with inspirational guest speakers and other educational events that shifted my thinking and motivations.”

Advice for underclassmen: “It’s never too late to put your whole heart into something. College is a time of change which comes with challenges. Focus on working hard at every opportunity you get and set your goals and expectations for yourself high. You are capable of much more than you know and this university will guide you in realizing your worth and potential.”

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Name: Hannah Gutenstein

Hometown: Salem, South Carolina

Major: Strategic communication with minors in marketing and social media marketing

Post-graduation plans: Gutenstein will be attending both the London School of Economics and Political Science in the United Kingdom, and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, for dual-degree programs with a Master’s of Science in Global Media and a Master’s in Global Communication.

How HPU helped you get there: “My professors and internship experiences helped to prepare me for a dual degree master’s program at two of the top-ranked communications schools in the world. The Nido Qubein School of Communication is one of my favorite parts of our HPU community. Not only are the professors amazing and truly care about every student, but I was exposed to experiential learning opportunities, such as getting to be a part of Ascension 336, a student-run agency, and working on a social media simulation, Stukent Mimic Social. Similarly, in my capstone course, my class and I were able to engage with the High Point City Council and local business owners to propose bills to better the High Point community. It is experiences like these that have taken the information I receive in the classroom and allowed me to implement it in real-time, making me more confident in my abilities as a communication professional. My other favorite part of HPU is the Office of Career and Professional Development. I worked there as both an internship marketing assistant and peer career advisor. It was really rewarding to be able to use my experience and knowledge to help fellow students with their cover letters, resumes and LinkedIn profiles. I loved hearing their stories and how passionate everyone was about the job, internship or graduate programs they were applying for.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “My most impactful mentor would be Dr. Laura Marshall. Without her, I would have never considered applying for graduate school. She has been so supportive throughout my entire graduate school application process from writing my letter of recommendation to connecting me with colleagues of her’s that had done the program so I could learn more about it. I am so grateful for all of her guidance and wisdom over these past few years.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “The most impactful moment was when I declared my major early in my second semester of freshman year. I came to HPU with my major as undeclared, but I knew I was interested in communications as a potential path. I took my first communications class in the fall of my freshman year and never looked back. Four years ago, I would have never believed how much I enjoyed school because I finally got to learn about something I found exciting.”

Advice for underclassmen: “Get to know your professors. Not only are they just great people in general, but they are the most knowledgeable people in whatever your perspective field may be. For many professors, teaching is their second career. You never know if one of your professors had your dream job, has connections for internship and job opportunities or can help guide you to your future career path.”

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Post-graduation plans: McCarthy joins NAVEX Global as a territory development representative. She will generate qualified sales opportunities for the account executive team and develop deep knowledge of the risk and compliance industry as well as build skills for further career growth.

Name: Grace McCarthy

Hometown: Pawcatuck, Connecticut

Major: Marketing with minors in sales and Spanish

How HPU helped you get there: “My time here at HPU began with a different major that I later changed to something new when I found an area that I was very passionate about in marketing and sales. I remember meeting Professor Larry Quinn for the first time in a negotiations class and when the class ended I knew that this was going to be the best class of my four years. I learned more in that class than I had in any other. Professor Quinn not only educated me during my classes with him but also took me under his wing to make sure I was going to be successful when I graduated. Between the countless emails and phone calls he never gave up on my dreams and kept telling me “you can do it, you are bright, you are going to do big things.” As an individual student of 5,000 others, this one professor saw so much drive and passion in me. Professor Quinn has not just been a mentor to me he is like family and I want to make him proud after I graduate. I used the Office of Career & Professional Development to assist with my resume and LinkedIn profile.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “Professor Quinn has benefited my time here at HPU more than anyone else. Not only has he been a mentor but also a confidant. He has had more faith in me than I have had in myself which is why I am the kind of student I am today. ”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “The Honors Ceremony I was a part of when I was a freshman. It felt like I was finally somewhere with a fresh start and many possibilities.”

Advice for underclassmen: “Find a professor who will support you and guide you. The more relationships and connections you make with your mentors you are sure to do amazing things post-grad.”

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With another Commencement quickly approaching, High Point University graduates will be commencing prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other esteemed organizations thanks to their journey at HPU. Here’s a glimpse of one extraordinary senior from the Class of 2021:

Name: Matt Waibel

Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Major: Biochemistry on a pre-med track

Post-graduation plans: Waibel will be attending Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine to pursue a Master of Medical Science, and eventually a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

How HPU helped you get there: “HPU had a wealth of amazing resources to excel, but the incredible professors were actually what propelled me. They were the keystone to my personal and professional development. I established three separate internships shadowing doctors of osteopathic medicine of different sub-specialties: internal medicine, plastic surgery and family medicine. Additionally, I went on a medical mission trip to provide free healthcare to underserved communities of Costa Rica.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “Dr. Angela Broadnax was my most impactful advisor at HPU. She fought tooth-and-nail to make sure I would graduate on time, but most importantly, she has always been a huge supporter. She’s incredibly receptive and understanding – both were qualities that made a huge impact on me and my aspirations.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “My most impactful moment at HPU was when Dr. Aaron Titus told me he wished his new students were more like me. I had struggled in the first class I had with him. Since I had two consecutive semesters with him, I made certain to dig deep and find a sense of grit. After refining how I studied, being much more active in class and chasing Dr. Titus down outside of class, I had finally found what it took to make an excellent grade. After I had him as a professor, my work ethic and discipline were gratified when he told me he wished his new students were more like me, in terms of my effort and attitude towards the class. This was pivotal for reinforcing a lot of new studying habits that carried me throughout the rest of my time at HPU and on to grad school.”

Advice for underclassmen: “Establish a great relationship with professors in your major’s department. You won’t want to let them down and they won’t want anything but the best for you.”

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With another Commencement quickly approaching, High Point University graduates will be commencing prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other esteemed organizations thanks to their journey at HPU. Here’s a glimpse of one extraordinary senior from the Class of 2021:

Name: Jessica Keys

Hometown: Herndon, Virginia

Major: Marketing with a minor in sales

Post-graduation plans: Keys will be joining Nestlé USA as a sales development program trainee. The Nestlé Sales Development Program is a 2.5 year rotational program in which trainees experience key aspects of professional sales. The program includes personal selling, managing a team, and conducting business analysis for key accounts.

How HPU helped you get there: “During my four years at HPU, I was able to grow as a well-rounded person. While on campus, I participated in the Division 1 track and field team, Honors College, PSB Selling Club, American Marketing Association, and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. All of my experiences at HPU motivated me to improve in any way possible and always reach for my goals. Going forward in my career, these life skills will help me succeed in everything I do. The Office of Career and Professional Development helped me create my resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn account. They were there for me throughout my internship interview process and helped me approach all of my interviews with confidence. When it came time to accept a full-time job offer, I was so excited to share the exciting news with the Office of Career and Professional Development as they were some of my biggest cheerleaders and supporters. My final round in the interview process included a lunch with key members of the Nestlé team. HPU’s 1924 Prime fine dining learning lab prepared me well for this type of setting.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “My most impactful mentor at HPU has been Angela Munsie. Professor Munsie cares about all of her students and was always there to help me when I needed it. Her positive attitude made learning exciting and I always looked forward to her classes.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “My favorite moment at HPU was clearing 3.70m (12’01.5′) in the women’s pole vault competition at the Big South Outdoor Conference Championships in 2019. My teammates and I swept the podium and it was the best feeling in the world.”

Advice for underclassmen: “My best advice for underclassmen is to take risks while chasing your dreams. No one ever succeeded by playing it safe. I have learned that taking calculated risks are the best way to grow personally and professionally beyond your comfort zone.”

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HPU’s Michaela Mucha, ’18, creates creative marketing magic for Walt Disney Studios.

If you weren’t streaming movies and shows before the Covid-19 pandemic, then odds are high you’ve since become a streaming pro.

And with more than 85 million subscribers, chances are also good that you’ve explored Disney+ looking for your next binge-worthy experience.

You know the drill. Open the platform, select a category and start scrolling. You read titles, but it’s the movie key art, better known as the movie poster, that catches your eye. Each title given its own small square of vibrant design.

You may not know Michaela Mucha, but you know her work.

That Disney+ movie art on your screen? That’s one of Mucha’s projects.

Picture a movie theater lobby. Posters line the walls. You spot one for Disney’s latest animated film.

Yes, Mucha also collaborated with the team that brought these to life.

Who is Mucha?

She’s a Maryland native, a 2018 graduate of High Point University and a member of the Creative Print Marketing team at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, just outside of Los Angeles.

Her journey to Disney happened quickly, but the impact she’s made is long lasting. And it all started at HPU.

Calm, Cool Frozen and Collected.

Mucha’s first feature film project and partnership with Walt Disney Animation Studios included assisting her team with finalizing the creative print marketing materials for the much-anticipated sequel “Frozen II.”

Her team kicked off their efforts by meeting “Frozen” franchise Director and Writer, Jennifer Lee. Lee is also the chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios.

It was a big meeting for Mucha. As the youngest and newest member of her team, she had reason to be nervous.

But she wasn’t. She was ready, composed and comfortable. She’s since worked on projects that touch all the way up to Disney’s CEO.

She credits her preparedness to HPU.

“My time at HPU was such a growth experience for me,” she says. “It prepared me to be a leader, grew me holistically, gave me confidence in my creative skills, and drive to contribute ideas in creative collaboration meetings for upcoming Disney+, Animation, and 21^st Century Studios films.”

Today, Mucha’s days are are spent on the creative, finishing, project management, production, and execution of the digital and print marketing campaign assets for numerous upcoming Disney+ streaming movies and series as well as Walt Disney Animation Studio, Pixar Animation Studio, Locksmith Animation, and Blue Sky Animation theatrical release movies.

Her latest major projects, to name a few, include directly supporting the creative print marketing vice president and director in developing the logo, movie posters, billboards and several social graphics for @Disney, @DisneyPlus, and @Pixar for Pixar Animation Studio’s “Soul,” “Luca,” and more.

For Disney+, Mucha has worked on the creative marketing materials and in-service product creative for original movies like “Lady and the Tramp” and the holiday hit “Noelle.” And most recently, the in-service product creative for “Soul,” “Togo,” “Stargirl,” “Godmothered,” the upcoming “Raya and the Last Dragon,” and Pixar Sparkshorts.

That’s not all.

She also collaborates and coordinates design assets enterprise-wide for Disney, sharing the creative her team has worked on throughout the company from Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, to Disney Streaming Services, and more.

Mucha has been with Disney since graduating from HPU. Her career started with an internship where she designed internal materials for Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

She quickly climbed to a corporate role in California as a graphic designer for Disney, designing for The Walt Disney Company in global, enterprise-wide campaigns for ESPN, ABC, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, National Geographic, and Parks & Resorts.

She joined the Walt Disney Studios Creative Print Marketing team in June, 2019.

Reflecting on her transformation and how much she’s grown, Mucha says there’s a time in her life where she couldn’t have imagined being where she is now. She would have called it “impossible.”

HPU changed that.

The Great “Mistake”

In high school, Mucha wasn’t heavily involved outside of academics. She recognized that in herself and decided she wanted more from her college journey.

She wanted to grow as a leader and as a person.

“Being a leader was so foreign to me that I didn’t know where to start,” she says. “But I knew I wanted a school with a strong community of caring people, where people would invest in my future to help me get there.”

She began researching schools. She wanted a campus that was walkable, a place where culture mattered, and a university that offered majors in both computer science and graphic design – a rare combination.

HPU rose to the top of the list.

Mucha calls visiting HPU before any other school her “mistake.”

“Nothing compared after going to HPU,” she says. “Once you visit, you don’t have eyes for anywhere else.”

Her parents came, too. They saw the campus, heard HPU President Nido Qubein speak and agreed with Mucha – this was the place for her.

“I knew I wanted to be at a university where people would know me not only as a student or peer, but as a friend when passing me on a walk across the promenade,” she says. “I was truly part of a family at HPU.”

An essential part of that HPU family was Mucha’s campus mentor – Professor Allan Beaver.

The Mentor Behind the Magic

Mucha came to HPU as a computer science major.

She had always had interest in graphic design but didn’t know if she had the skill set to make a career out of it.

Beaver changed that.

She joined HPU’s graphic design club on campus her freshman year. Made up primarily of design majors, club members buzzed about Beaver and his legendary status as a designer.

Mucha actively searched for courses Beaver was teaching and soon found herself in his classroom.

Beaver quickly recognized that Mucha had a skill she didn’t see in herself.

He pulled her aside and asked what her plans were after graduation.

“I’m a computer science major,” she told him. “So I guess I’ll be a computer scientist?”

She liked computer science, and it felt it was a safer bet.

Beaver forced her to pause. “But what are you passionate about?” he asked.

Mucha realized she was burying her passion. She was afraid to pursue it and fail.

“He told me that if my passion truly was in graphic design, there was no way I could fail. I should pursue a creative career,” she remembers.

So she went for it with his guidance. She changed her major to graphic design and set her sights on Disney.

“He pushed me outside my comfort zone,” she says. “I think sometimes about how different my life would be if I hadn’t learned from a professor like him or if I’d gone to a bigger school where I was just a number to be forgotten. I can imagine most professors might have given me a grade and sent me on my way.”

It was never like that at HPU.

Beaver recently passed away, and Mucha finds herself tearing up when she talks about him.

When she landed her internship with Disney, he was one of the first she told. He emailed her immediately.

“Walt Disney will always recognize talented designers,” he told her.

Mucha still has the email.

“Together we laid out a plan that made my dreams feel possible,” she says. “Soon, I learned it was possible. And now, I’m doing it. It’s all because of him.”

Signs on the Freeway. Symbols of Transformation.

That confidence sparked by Beaver began to spill over into other areas for Mucha.

She soon took on leadership roles in organizations she’d joined freshman year. By her third year, Mucha was elected president of the junior class.

She was shocked. It was never something she thought she’d run for, much less be elected and given the honor to lead.

But at HPU, she was inspired by her peers and professors to be more. To do more.

By her final year, she was recognized as an HPU Extraordinary Leader. It marked her official transformation from the self-conscious high schooler she had once been into the woman ready to roll up her sleeves and collaborate with Disney filmmakers and studio executives.

Now, living in L.A., Mucha ventures out and often spots a billboard she helped create.

Her team’s work on display for the entire world to see reminds her of how “insanely cool” this opportunity is. It reminds her how far she’s come and who helped her get to this point.

Those billboards are a symbol her HPU journey.

With another successful Commencement behind us, High Point University graduates are commencing prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other esteemed organizations thanks to their journey at HPU. Here’s a glimpse of one extraordinary senior from the Class of 2020:

Name: Jordan McClung

Hometown: Crofton, Maryland

Major: Physics and exercise science biomechanics with a minor in mathematics

Post-graduation plans: McClung will be attending the University of Colorado, Denver to pursue a master of science in bioengineering.

How HPU helped you get there: “The intellectual challenges on campus and the physical challenges from being an HPU track and field athlete helped me grow as a student and an individual. In the classroom, my professors and advisors guided me to become a versatile scientist by tailoring my studies to bridge two subjects that seemed exclusive. The incredible resources and laboratories, in tandem with encouraging professors, motivated me to work hard. I found a subject that I am passionate about, and I’m pursuing a graduate degree because of my academic experience. In athletics, my coaches taught me to be the best human I could be on and off the track. When I struggled with the physical demands of the sport, I was always pushed to find the strength within me to complete the challenge. Through my experiences at High Point University, I achieved more than I thought I could have, before I even set foot on campus.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “To single out one mentor would be unfair. My most impactful academic mentors were Dr. Brad Barlow, Dr. Kevin Ford, and Dr. Aaron Titus. All three of these professors motivated me to work hard and study something I am passionate about. Because of my experience learning from them and researching with them, I am now pursuing a graduate degree. Another impactful mentor at HPU is Scott Houston, Assistant Track and Field Coach. Coach Houston pushed me to be an incredible student-athlete that be competitive and perform and achieve at high levels. All four of these mentors helped shape my experience at HPU and guided me to achieve more than I thought I could have.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “My most impactful moment at HPU was when I was invited to do summer research in the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory as a Summer Research Fellow (SuRF). During this summer, I had a unique experience learning lab techniques and assisting in data collection for large studies. My mentor, Dr. Kevin Ford helped me identify skills that I could improve for graduate school. After this experience, I added a second major to my degree: Exercise Science, Concentration: Biomechanics.”

Advice for underclassmen: “My graduation experience was unique. However, it is so important to remain optimistic and motivated to work hard. People will appreciate the genuine hard work you put in even in extraordinary times, such as this global pandemic. After graduation, be grateful and understanding of the things that happen because all things to follow are a part of one big adventure.”

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With another successful Commencement behind us, High Point University graduates are commencing prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other esteemed organizations thanks to their journey at HPU. Here’s a glimpse of one extraordinary senior from the Class of 2020:

Name: Nathan Carter

Hometown: North Hero, Vermont

Major: Business administration with a minor in sales

Post-graduation plans: Carter joins Oracle NetSuite as a business development representative in Austin, Texas. He will be a strategic member of the sales team responsible for identifying and qualifying leads while building product knowledge and sales skills.

How HPU helped you get there: “High Point University has helped me tremendously throughout the past four years. Aside from lacrosse, HPU has helped me to build my brand through many hands-on business and sales classes. I have learned proper interview techniques that allowed me to succeed in my interviews with Oracle NetSuite. HPU faculty devote so much time and effort into molding each of their students to become the best professionals they can be. The Office of Career and Professional Development helped me to structure my resume and provided great insight on how to attain an internship.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “Looking back at my four years at HPU, it’s hard to pick just one mentor. As a member of the men’s Division I lacrosse team, Coach Torpey has helped to guide me through the game and in life, which allowed me to unlock potential I didn’t know I had. Professor Larry Quinn is hands down one of the most genuine humans I have ever met. The way he cares about each of his students is truly magical. Professor Mark Michael has had a huge impact on me during the past two years. His sales classes in my junior year helped prepare me for my internship last summer, and in my senior year he was a major mentor during the job interview process.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “One of my most impactful moments at HPU took place during my senior year. I emailed Professor Michael a few weeks before my interview asking for advice. We met a few days after and talked about NetSuite and certain topics that I really needed to focus on. He wanted me to be successful in this interview and that was truly amazing to see. I received the job offer a few weeks later and told him immediately. His excitement for my success further shows the teacher and mentor he really his. It makes me grateful to have attended such an extraordinary school.”

Advice for underclassmen: “Take action; don’t sit around and wait for things to happen. Apply yourself in every class and take advantage of all the resources that HPU has to offer. Four years go by quickly, so make lasting relationships and take everything in. There is no secret sauce to being successful after graduation. During your time at HPU, build your brand, make yourself uncomfortable, and have fun.”

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With another successful Commencement behind us, future High Point University graduates are commencing prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other esteemed organizations thanks to their journey at HPU. Here’s a glimpse of one extraordinary senior from the Class of 2020:

Name: Zachary Fleming

Hometown: Cleveland, North Carolina

Major: Sales

Post-graduation plans: Fleming has joined the United States Armed Forces as a field artillery officer for the Army and is responsible for leading and directing fire support assets into combined arms operations.

How HPU helped you get there: “HPU has prepared me for the Army by helping me develop my time management, communication and analytical skills. Thanks to the amazing faculty and staff, and healthy educational environment, I was able to commission into the Army as a field artillery officer. I relied heavily on the Office of Career and Professional Development for assisting me in building an effective and reputable resume and cover letter. The assistance they gave me has helped me grow as a professional.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “My most impactful mentor at HPU was Professor Randy Moser. Professor Moser has helped me grow both academically and as an individual. Thanks to his continued mentorship, I am able to continue to grow professionally.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “My most impactful moment at HPU was when I was able to lead the color guard for the 2019 commencement. When I was asked to do this, I felt a huge sense of pride and was honored to be a part of a time-honored HPU tradition.”

Advice for underclassmen: “My advice to underclassmen is to be determined and flexible. One piece of advice that was given to me as a cadet, that I still hold true today is, ‘tough times don’t last, tough people do.’ College can get stressful at times, but remaining determined and flexible will ensure that you are successful in any of your endeavors.”

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With another successful Commencement behind us, recent High Point University graduates are kicking off prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other esteemed organizations thanks to their journey at HPU. Here’s a glimpse of one extraordinary senior from the Class of 2019:

Name: Macketta Johns

Hometown: Frederick, Maryland

Major: Journalism

Post-graduation plans: Johns has joined Bumble as the U.S. field events coordinator in Austin, Texas. Her role oversees Bumble’s honey ambassador’s university events across North America. Johns manages college-aged students to ensure successful events and promote the growth of the Bumble brand. She also works with a variety of university organizations to facilitate partnerships and sponsorships to team up with Bumble.

How HPU helped you get there: “First and foremost HPU has always given me the creativity and empowerment to achieve anything I reach for. The curriculum in the communications school was vigorous, with opportunity for real-life experience. My classes through event management and journalism prepared me for this role because I had real deadlines, I had to create sponsorship decks, write contracts and tell a story through all my projects. The chance to lead so many clubs on campus gave me those people management skills and the chance to get experience. I visited the Office of Career and Professional Development and met with my career advisor, Doug Hall, freshman year knowing I wanted to leave HPU with my dream job. Everyone in their office has aided my journey, from meetings to improve my resume and make it stronger, to developing what my cover letter should say. Even after graduation, Doug would call me to see if he could support me in any way with my job search and offered tools to help me.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “My most impactful mentors at HPU have been Dr. Vern Biaett and Dr. Nahed Eltantawy. Dr. Biaett saw a bright-eyed sophomore heavily interested in events, and he answered all my questions, gave me tips for the event industry and beyond. He supported my journey and empowered me in my leadership roles on campus, while always reminding me I had someone to rely on and who believed in me. Dr. Eltantawy is one of the best professors at HPU. Not only does she listen, but she has a passion for teaching and watching students grow. When I met her my sophomore year, I was intimidated only to realize she would be my greatest cheerleader. She sets up her classes in a way for students to learn but also challenge themselves. I always knew that no matter what was going on in my life, her office was open to me. I am a better writer because of her and a better storyteller.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “My most impactful moment at HPU is hard to really even note. HPU was an amazing experience and I had so many moments that forever changed me. Becoming the president of the Campus Activities Team and really making the club student-run were two very special moments for me. Providing a space for all students to feel supported and encouraged no matter what groups they were a part of, was unreal. Summer Chandler watched me grow through C.A.T and I am forever grateful for that experience. Also, cocreating an entertainment web-series Point Blank. HPU supported my 3 friends and I to create the show from the ground up. This show fueled my creativity, allowed me to think outside the box, say yes to things that are outside of my comfort zone and work on time management.”

Advice for underclassmen: “You can be successful by realizing no opportunity is too small, saying yes and getting involved. Being involved provided me years of leadership through different organizations. Get a job on campus to learn time management, and meet people. Reach out to people that interest you, get to know your professors because, trust me, they want to see you win. Say yes to opportunities that scare you because those are the one’s that foster the most growth. Last but not least, have fun – college goes by so quick and HPU is an amazing atmosphere. Take it in, enjoy it and remember to put your health first!”

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