Office of Career & Professional Development

HPU graduates are leading 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 at one extraordinary member of the Class of 2023:

Name: Gabriella Costa

Hometown: Commack, New York

Major: Criminal Justice

Post-graduation plans: Costa will join Wicker Smith O’Hara McCoy & Ford P.A., a law firm in Naples, Florida, as a paralegal. In her role, she will focus on legal duties and research to assist lawyers as well as partners and associates with pleadings, depositions, and their cases as a whole.

How HPU helped you get there: 

“HPU’s positive environment and staff helped me get to where I am today. Before I applied for jobs, I visited HPU’s Office of Career and Professional Development to ensure my resume was the best it could be and to ensure I was putting my best foot forward.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU:

“Assistant Professors of Criminal Justice Margaret Chrusciel and Alec Szalewski are my most impactful mentors who I will never forget. Dr. Chrusciel was my academic advisor and my teacher for three years. She is so supportive and an amazing person. Dr. Szalewski will forever be one of my favorite teachers. No matter what you’re dealing with, he is always there for his students and wants the best for them academically and in life.”

Most impactful moment at HPU:

“My most impactful experience at HPU was taking President Nido Qubein’s First Year Seminar on Life Skills. Once a week, President Qubein teaches the freshman class about life skills, HPU, his life and how he became who he is today. And how can I forget about the song ‘Great Day’ he always played at the end of each class! Knowing that the president of my university takes the time to build that bond and connection with the freshman class is what makes HPU what it is today. I will always cherish that class and can proudly say that it made a positive mark on me.”

Advice for underclassmen: 

“Go to all of the career fairs on campus and put yourself out there! You meet so many amazing people from companies and can have a professional headshot taken for your LinkedIn profile. I attended every career fair HPU held to get my name out there to companies, and whether it benefitted me job-wise or not, it helped me gain communication and interview skills.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?

Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

 View more Graduate Profiles  

HPU graduates are leading 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 at one extraordinary member of the Class of 2023:

Name: Austin Vohra

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Major: Business Administration with minors in marketing and social media marketing 

Post-graduation plans: Vohra will join Duke Energy in Orlando, Florida, as a project controls specialist where he will develop, maintain and update project schedules and analyze progress to identify delays and critical path activities. He will work closely with project managers to develop recovery plans for schedule delays and potential risk mitigation strategies. 

How HPU helped you get there: 

“HPU helped me prepare for my future goals by providing me with great opportunities, such as the ability to network with companies and leaders, access to Success Coaches and classes taught by professors with real-world experience. I also used the Office of Career and Professional Development for help with my resumé and advice on how to find the best job for me.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU:

“My most impactful mentor at HPU has been Robert Tillman, a career advisor for the Phillips School of Business. He helped me navigate challenges and develop the skills and qualities I have today. He pushed and challenged me, which helped me grow and become a better person.”

How has HPU’s inspiring environment contributed to your success? 

“HPU’s inspiring environment contributed to my success because creating such a positive and supportive atmosphere while setting high expectations made me want to strive to be better and reach my full potential.”

Advice for underclassmen: 

“My advice for underclassmen is to meet as many people as you can; because it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?

Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

 View more Graduate Profiles

HPU graduates are leading 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 member of the Class of 2023:

Name: Kate McCarthy

Hometown: Worcester, Massachusetts

Major: Marketing and finance with a minor in sales

Post-graduation plans: McCarthy will join Visa’s Client Services Development Program, where she will help strategic business partners grow their business, manage B2B client relationships and support internal and external stakeholders.

How HPU helped you get there:

“When looking for a college, I wanted to attend a university that would help fuel my ambition and support me in reaching my goals. HPU has the resources, mentors and programs that help students sharpen their passions and aim for more. The Office of Career and Professional Development helped me navigate the current job market and gain the skills needed to excel in my job search and interviews. The countless trips to 1924 PRIME and Alo, HPU’s fine-dining learning labs, made me feel comfortable and relaxed in an otherwise high-pressure setting. I was able to differentiate myself from the other candidates by having the business acumen to understand the proper way to conduct myself over a meal.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU:

“My most impactful mentor is Mark Michael, assistant professor of marketing and assistant director of the Professional Selling Program. He makes sure all of his students are set up for success, both in and out of the classroom. Professor Michael spent hours helping me prepare for my case study interviews, reviewing my job search progress and providing invaluable advice and expertise.”

Most impactful moment at HPU:

“My most impactful moment at HPU was joining Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity, during my freshman year. I was exposed to leaders, mentors and fellow students who have helped me grow professionally and personally. As Dr. Qubein says, ‘You are the sum of who you surround yourself with,’ and I could not think of a better group than the brothers of AKP. Serving in several leadership positions within this group allowed me to develop my leadership style and learn valuable skills that would later transfer to my professional experiences.”

How has HPU’s inspiring environment contributed to your success?

“The inspiring environment at HPU encouraged me to go after my goals. Whether hearing classical music on the promenade walking to and from class, having access to in-resident faculty who are leaders in their fields or seeing Ms. Valerie Baxter as you enter campus – the feeling that you have while on HPU’s campus is nothing short of inspiring. The professors are one of the biggest factors that contributed to my success at HPU. Having professors who care about you as a student and a person transforms your experience and contributes to the inspiring environment at HPU.”

What are the life skills HPU helped you develop that prepared you for long-term success?

“High Point University prepares students for the world as it is going to be, not just for the world as it is now. We are taught life skills beginning our freshman year, and we carry those skills with us during our entire time in college and beyond. Some of the most beneficial life skills I learned while at HPU were networking, coachability and how to build a personal brand.”

What are the values and virtues HPU’s campus helped you develop that you’ll take with you after graduation?

“HPU students recognize that they have to work hard for the things that they want, and that nothing will just be handed to them. I have been able to sharpen my ambition in a supportive environment where I have the resources to be successful. I will carry the value of personal initiative with me well beyond my graduation, recognizing that my success in my professional endeavors will stem from my own hard work, grit and determination.”

Advice for underclassmen:

“Get involved. Whether you join a club or Greek Life, get an on-campus job, attend a guest speaker seminar or have internships, expanding your network early is a key component to your success. The most successful students are those who get involved and take advantage of all of the resources that HPU has to offer.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?

Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

View more Graduate Profiles

HPU graduates are leading 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 2022:

Name: Al Dean Jr.

Hometown: Burlington, North Carolina

Major: Sport management with a minor in nonprofit leadership and management 

Post-graduation plans: Dean will be attending Duke University’s Duke Divinity School to pursue a master’s in divinity.

How HPU helped you get there: “At High Point University, I was blessed with many resources and connections that helped me get where I am today. HPU’s innovative environment required me to rise to the occasion and believe that anything is possible. Over the last four years, I have been involved in the Student Government Association, learning from those who were leaders on campus and brought new ideas. This inspiring environment is something that I will carry as I develop into the man I will be. High Point University is an institution that has made me dream about empowering those around me for what seems impossible. The Office of Career and Professional Development helped me develop a passion for what I really want to do in life. In the midst of looking for my next steps, they emphasized the importance of a clear, in-depth resume. They made sure my cover letter and resume were in sync. Students should visit The Office of Career and Professional Development often because they provide many resources for development, such as networking and internship opportunities, information, and hands-on experience.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “The last four years at HPU have been amazing but also challenged me. Whenever I needed someone to talk to and explore my next steps, Dr. David Bergen, professor of human relations and nonprofit studies, was there. Dr. Bergen has been a great influence and motivator. He made sure I analyzed every scenario before making a decision. When I shared with him my goal of going to Duke Divinity School, he lit up with so much excitement for me. Through the ups and downs at HPU, he was there. This is what HPU is all about. The people at this university truly care. I will never forget how he made me feel as a student and the belief he has for each person at HPU. ‘You got this, Al,’ has ​​catapulted me into my next journey.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “I had some of the best moments of my life at High Point University, like meeting lifelong friends and creating memories every single day. While studying at HPU, I was heartbroken by the loss of my grandmother and father. At that moment, I did not want to continue my studies. But HPU was there through it all and made sure I had the support to continue on. Receiving calls from HPU President Dr. Qubein, counseling services speaking with me, professors reaching out weekly, the Office of Student Life continuously reaching out and peers motivating me was so impactful. It was at this moment I realized that HPU cares and loves their students! At my breaking point and lowest times, they were there to encourage me. I learned not to give in, but seek greatness in all you do as you press on. It has been my goal to first please God in all I do, and secondly make my grandmother and father proud. I will never forget how HPU was there for me and how it made me feel to be a part of this special family.”

What are the life skills HPU helped you develop that prepared you for long-term success? “HPU allows every student to reach their highest potential. Some of the life skills HPU helped me develop are critical thinking, adapting a growth mindset and effective communication. In the First-Year Seminar of Life Skills, Dr. Qubein talked about the power of communication, and I still have the book written by him titled, ‘How to be a Great Communicator.’ Communication has been essential as I explore my goals, dreams, hopes and challenges. Having a growth mindset gave me the ability to think with a clear mind while learning new things. Long-term, these life skills will help me in any environment and are a solid foundation which I can continue to build on and grow.”

What are the values and virtues HPU’s campus helped you develop that you’ll take with you after graduation? “High Point University is an institution that stands on honesty and integrity. Those are the values I will take on throughout my life and were the things I held close as a leader on campus. Whenever I am in the workforce or continuing my education, integrity will be key in new environments. I have valued HPU’s honest approach in all they do so every person has a clear understanding of what is happening. I believe that if I keep the values of honesty and integrity, my future will be bright!”

Advice for underclassmen: “I come to encourage you! Senior year is stressful — looking for internships, applying for jobs, searching for a place to live, looking at graduate schools and getting ready to step into the real world. During my sophomore year, I sat down to think about what life would be like after HPU. I wrote down goals and dreams I wanted to accomplish. So, my advice is to believe in your goals and dreams and write them down so you know what you want to achieve. If you believe something, walk in newness and know that it will happen. Everyday, before I get my day started, I proclaim and speak what has not occurred yet but I have the belief that it will. Allow yourself to measure your success by doing things you are passionate about.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?

Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

 View more Graduate Profiles  

HPU graduates are leading 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 2022:

Name: Ryan Hesterman

Hometown: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Major: Neuroscience with a minor in psychology

Post-graduation plans: Hesterman will be joining J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. in their Rotational Analyst Program as a corporate analyst. The program focuses on project management, analytics and process improvement across various divisions at J.P. Morgan, including operations, cyber security, strategy, finance and risk management. Hesterman’s role at each rotation will be to help drive projects through to completion by analyzing and presenting key data to improve products and offerings.

How HPU helped you get there: “HPU’s Honors Program provided a holistic approach to education — by challenging me to become proficient in multiple areas and allowing me to pursue disciplines outside of my chosen major. Additionally, throughout my journey over the past four years, the faculty and students at HPU supported and guided me in my professional endeavors.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “Dr. Kristin Ackerman, director for MS Biomedical Sciences, and assistant professor of medical sciences, has been a tremendous mentor to me. I took many classes with Dr. Ackerman, in addition to being a member of her research lab for the past four years. From my first class with Dr. Ackerman, I saw that she had a profound amount of respect for all of her students and was deeply concerned about their success on an academic and personal level. Dr. Ackerman was also transformational in showing me how I could take my experience in science to pursue a career in finance.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “There was one particular moment in my class, The Cost and Value of Higher Education, that had the most influence on my life and career choice beyond graduation. The professor, Dr. Nathan Hedman, opened class by asking the question ‘What would you do for the rest of your life if you made a guaranteed $70,000 each year?’ My classmates and I answered the question with what job would make us happiest. My gut response was a career in finance — rather than being a doctor, which is what I had been pursuing for the past three years of college. This moment initiated a realization that maybe I should pursue what will make me most happy. From this point, I began to pivot away from science and to a career in finance.”

Advice for underclassmen: “My brother often tells me. ‘Ryan, be patient. We are all on our own journey.’ I would offer the same advice to underclassmen. It can be easy to look at your peers and see that they have a phenomenal internship lined up for the summer or that they have a 4.0 GPA and you do not. It can lead to us feeling inadequate or behind, causing anxiety. Of course, there are times when observing our peers can inspire us to become better students and better people; however, don’t allow comparison to get in the way of your own happiness and your own journey.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?

Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

 View more Graduate Profiles

HPU graduates are leading 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 2022:

Name: Tiffany Selberg

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Major: Marketing with a minor in social media marketing 

Post-graduation plans: Selberg will be joining the TikTok team in Austin, Texas, as a strategic sales coordinator. In this role, she will support innovative sales programs across a diverse set of customers, focusing on acquiring and activating new advertisers to TikTok.  She will also address advertiser needs, with the goal of helping to identify audiences and process opportunities to increase impact and drive return on investment for brands looking to add TikTok to their marketing mix.

How HPU helped you get there: “HPU has provided me with incredible life and interpersonal skills that helped me set myself apart in the workplace and to recruiters. The programs and values modeled on campus and within student life inspired me to go after my dreams and made me believe that I can achieve anything I put my mind to. The curriculum and organizations I’ve been a part of have provided me with real-world experiences that I can talk about during interviews. The staff in the Office of Career and Professional Development provided me with great guidance during my internship search, as well as my job search. I’ve received advice on how to send meaningful messages to recruiters, how to respectfully decline a job offer, how to polish my resume and how to optimize job boards.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “Professor Larry Quinn and the late Professor Randy Moser have been my biggest cheerleaders since I first met them, which was when I was still in high school. They provided me with applicable sales skills that put me ahead of my peers throughout my previous internship with AT&T in their B2B Sales Development Program. They have also been very reliable, and I knew I could count on them to lift me up and provide me with the advice and skills I needed to complete whatever task was at hand — academic, personal or professional.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “My most impactful moment has been pledging Alpha Kappa Psi, the co-ed professional business fraternity, because of the skills and critical feedback I’ve gained from the brotherhood. These experiences have taken me out of my comfort zone, allowed me to see my areas of growth and build my professional skills. Not only that, but the friendships I’ve made have changed me for the better. As Dr. Qubein says, you’re a product of the people you surround yourself with, and I’m blessed to have such high-achieving friends in my life thanks to Alpha Kappa Psi.”

How has HPU’s inspiring environment contributed to your success? “The ambiance of the campus encouraged me to work harder and spend time outside my dorm room. When others around me achieve, it pushes me to achieve as well. When I see alumni or peers reach their goals, it inspires me to go after mine.”

What are the life skills HPU helped you develop that prepared you for long-term success? “Public speaking and interview skills have been the most beneficial. I’ve grown from being shy and timid, into a person who enjoys speaking in front of large groups. This is all thanks to my courses, as well as campus organizations such as the Professional Selling Club and Alpha Kappa Psi. The professional etiquette skills I’ve acquired from my courses and campus resources, such as sending a follow-up email thanking someone for their time and using the STAR method in interviews, has helped me stand out during the job search process.”

What are the values and virtues HPU’s campus helped you develop that you’ll take with you after graduation? “God, family and country, the inspiring environment and the caring people. Students, faculty and staff are like family. I know that after I graduate, I will gravitate towards constantly being in a setting that will inspire me the same way HPU’s campus does. I will also make sure I am surrounded by those who want to see me win. Faith is something that is very important to me, and has only become stronger since attending HPU and I’ve been blessed to attend a university that values God the same way I do.”

Advice for underclassmen: “Get involved! Joining clubs and organizations at HPU allowed me to connect with like-minded students and upperclassmen that helped shape my college journey.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?

Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

 View more Graduate Profiles

HPU graduates are leading 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 2022:

Name: Alexandra Diehl

Hometown: Rochester, New York

Major: M.A. communication and business leadership

Post-graduation plans: As newly promoted senior community and operations coordinator at Pomp Beauty, Diehl is responsible for managing the outreach and growth of the esthetician community for Pomp Professional, onboarding and training estheticians, working with Pomp’s coveted brand partners, being the main point of contact for Pomp’s esthetician community, understanding the entire Pomp platform, and assisting with customer service and order fulfillment.

How HPU helped you get there: “HPU helped me by providing excellent professional development resources, caring mentors and thoughtfully curated classes. I was a peer advisor in the Office of Career and Professional Development my senior year at HPU. Working this job helped me gain a deep understanding at what employers are looking for in a great resume and cover letter.” 

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “Professor Nanelle Napp has had a huge impact on my professional development. She gave me great professional connections and has written me several recommendations. I now happily mentor some of her fledgling students from time to time in effort to give back in the same way she helped me.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “The most impactful moment of my career at HPU was receiving my undergrad degree at Commencement. Looking back at all the hard work and growth I had achieved in four years was exciting and made me very proud of what I had achieved from my hard work.”

Advice for underclassmen: “Utilize all of the opportunities HPU provides, and get involved. Not only is it a great way to boost your resume, but you never know what types of connections you will find as well.”

                   Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?

Share your news with us for a chance to be featured! 

 View more Graduate Profiles

HPU graduates are leading 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 2022:

Name: Myles Brown

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Major: Strategic communication with minors in business and marketing

Post-graduation plans: Brown will be joining GE Healthcare in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in their Commercial Leadership Program. In this rotational program, Brown will work in three different cities over the span of two years. He will learn all aspects of the business development process and use his understanding of the company to shape his career beyond the program.

How HPU helped you get there: “The student employment positions I held, such as student ambassador and summer advantage representative, helped me improve my sales, interpersonal and public speaking skills. In the Office of Career and Professional Development, I gave back as a peer career advisor by helping other students build resumes, cover letters and giving them career advice. You only learn when you are thrown into real-life experiences, and HPU provided me opportunities for those experiences. The career advisors in the office have also helped me. As an underclassman, they showed me how to make myself stand out, build a resume and write a cover letter. Now when I work in the office it feels good to know I am a part of something that will help students reach their goals.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “My most impactful mentors are Dr. Doug Hall, Dr. Virginia McDermott and Jim Scott. These professors and mentors have been with me since the beginning of my journey at HPU. They have encouraged me, given me advice and provided me opportunities. At the end of the day, they are true friends.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “My most impactful moment was in junior year, when I gave a speech at an admissions Open House event in front of hundreds of parents and students and froze —  forgetting everything I was going to say. This made me take a step back and realize I cannot move too fast before I’m ready. This experience set me up for another speech I gave that landed me my job at GE Healthcare.”

Advice for underclassmen: “Establish what you want in life. When you fail, get back up and try again. Be relentless in your pursuit of success, and do not give up.”

                   Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?

Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

 View more Graduate Profiles

HPU graduates are leading 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 2022:

Name: Teja Tops

Hometown: Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Major: Business administration with a minor in finance

Post-graduation plans: Tops will be joining BlackRock Alternative Investors (BAI) as an analyst. She will work to produce reports for clients and implement new technologies and processes to enable BAI to scale.

How HPU helped you get there: “HPU’s Internship Guarantee Program and my career advisor, Allen Unger, in the Office of Career and Professional Development helped me get to where I am. Unger helped me build my LinkedIn profile and be recruited for the Accelerator Program. Rushing the Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity also built my confidence and taught me to better present myself in interviews. My mentor at HPU, Dr. Jim Wehrley provided me direct interview help during the second round of interviews for my internship.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “My most impactful mentor at HPU is Dr. Jim Wehrley. He has been a mentor for me since my first semester when I decided I wanted to graduate early. He helped me select courses, consider minors, prepare for interviews and talk through different career paths.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “My most impactful moment at HPU was attending the internship fair my freshman year. When I entered the building, I had a brief conversation with a gentleman as we walked into the fair. Later, I visited his table and he asked me, ‘if money wasn’t an object, what would you be doing?’ Then he hired me on the spot as the lead retail sales intern for the Carolina Cobras Arena Football Team. This internship was short due to COVID, but his question has stuck with me and the gentleman, Mike McMillan, has become a great mentor.”

Advice for underclassmen: “Explore your interest, take advantage of novel opportunities and use the resources that HPU provides to make the most of your experience.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?
Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

View more Graduate Profiles

HPU graduates are leading 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 2022:

Name: Dakota Tameling

Hometown: Wheaton, Illinois 

Major: Finance with a minor in music

Post-graduation plans: Tameling will be joining J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. in the rotational analyst program for the mid-market commercial bank. He will be responsible for assisting private firms with annual revenues between $20 million and $500 million with banking, treasury and credit services while simultaneously connecting customers with the full-reaching resources of the greater J.P. Morgan Chase institution. 

How HPU helped you get there: “My peer and faculty mentors in the finance department were instrumental in my preparation for the recruiting process for my position. I really believe that the recruiting process is fair, even at these highly competitive, large institutions, but having a strategy, a goal and the opportunity to talk to someone who has done it before makes all the difference.”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “Dr. Jim Wehrley, the previous dean of the Phillips School of Business impacted me greatly. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with him frequently over my time at HPU. He asks the ‘hard questions’ and helps you answer some of the ‘big’ career questions for yourself. He is the best person to help brainstorm and strategize for long-term outlook. He cares deeply for his students and encourages excellence in all components of a well-balanced business student.”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “Over my time at HPU, I have engaged with a number of impressive business executives and leadership experts. The opportunity to meaningfully interact with those individuals will always stand out as impactful to me. I had the opportunity to meet Dr. John Maxwell after one of his interviews on campus. While I admit the impact could be partly due to recency, it was a special moment to meet someone I had looked up to for so long here at our school. Another moment I look back on with great fondness is the High Point University Orchestra’s performance of Carmina Burana in 2019. That was very special to me. I was so happy to be at a school that would let me ‘do it all.’ I am a finance major going to work for a bank, but I still had the opportunity to pursue my passion of music on campus. What a gift!”

Advice for underclassmen: “Trust the process. This advice goes two ways: Some students probably don’t invest enough time studying, working, preparing for interviews, etc. There are dozens of people at HPU who are experts in their fields. If they tell you to do something, there’s probably a reason. Other students probably spend way too much time studying and worrying about career stuff during their early years in school. That was me. They get frustrated when it doesn’t pan out right away. To them, I give the same advice. Trust the process. Your hard work and diligence will pay off, but you need to be patient. Don’t worry so much about how impressive your peers might seem. In the meantime, invest in other important things. Exercise, learn a new hobby, join a music group and have fun at school! Find balance during your time at HPU. You are at a place with great mentors. Find a good one and trust their advice. They are here for a reason!”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?
Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

View more Graduate Profiles

With another Commencement behind us, 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 member of the Class of 2021:

Name: Kristen Korankyi

Hometown: Jamestown, North Carolina

Major: Pharmacy

Post-graduation plans: Korankyi will be working at the Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy as a clinical pharmacy resident and instructor. She will instruct first and third year pharmacy students and provide ambulatory care pharmacy services at Progressive Community Health Services in downtown Milwaukee. While pursuing her residency training in academia and ambulatory care, she is also enrolled in courses at Concordia University to pursue a master’s in education.

How HPU helped you get there: “The welcoming learning environment allowed me to make the most of my academic and professional experience at HPU. I felt comfortable to be able to explore different areas of interest to me that would allow me to be engaged in my learning. Through my involvement in peer tutoring and a number of community service experiences, I realized that I had a passion for teaching and wanted to do this as a graduating health care professional. I frequently went to the Office of Career & Professional Development for assistance in CV and letter of intent preparation. Ms. McLeod was friendly and gave me her time to ensure that I had the best presentation of myself to potential employers. ”

Most impactful mentor at HPU: “I cannot be more grateful or thankful for all of the mentors I had at HPU. It truly took a village of committed professors, student instructors and my fellow classmates to help me find my true potential. Among many of the awesome instructors who helped me get to where I am today, I acknowledge the work of my undergraduate chemistry professors; Dr. Knippenburg, Dr. Fogarty, Dr. Fowler and Dr. Blackledge. I appreciate the interest they took to me as a student and really helped me to see that I enjoyed chemistry and science. Although I was not a chemistry major, I satisfied my love of the subject by tutoring students during chemistry learning labs, even as I was doing my graduate pharmacy coursework at HPU. As far as my graduate coursework, I thank Dr. Lingle for making that crucial phone call to me which made me enroll at High Point University to pursue a pharmacy degree. Becoming immersed in a program that offers so many experiential learning opportunities, made me realize the potential I had to giving back to my community by becoming an instructor for future pharmacy students. ”

Most impactful moment at HPU: “The most impactful moment I had at HPU was being able to contribute to helping my fellow students as a peer tutor.”

Advice for underclassmen: “My advice for underclassmen is to take advantage of new opportunities that come your way. You never know where you will end up at the end of your college experience. Embrace the growth and changes you will go through as a student. You will come out in the end feeling successful.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?
Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

View more Graduate Profiles

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 professional development resources at HPU 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 it’s involvement in organizations or the Office of Career and Professional Development, these installations gave me so many opportunities that I didn’t think possible.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?
Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

View more graduate profiles

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.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?
Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

Click here to view more graduate profiles

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.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?
Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

Click here to view more graduate profiles

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.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?
Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

Click here to view more graduate profiles

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.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?
Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

Click here to view more graduate profiles

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.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?
Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

View more Graduate Profiles

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.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?
Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!

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.”

Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?
Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!