Elon students interning in New York City experienced an inspiring evening of career and educational discovery at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, made possible through intentional cross-campus and cross-institutional collaboration.
As part of the Study USA NYC summer program, Elon University students—currently interning across a wide range of industries in New York City—spent a recent evening at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business engaging in meaningful self discovery and career exploration. The event, made possible through a dynamic cross-institutional partnership, invited students to reflect on their professional goals, discover new possibilities and connect with experts in graduate education and career development.
The evening was the result of an intentional and collaborative effort across multiple offices at Elon, including the Student Professional Development Center (SPDC), the Study USA team and National Campus Programs. Together with Faculty in Residence Pamela Winfield, they envisioned a signature experience that would enrich students’ time in NYC by deepening their exposure to graduate education and professional development resources. That vision came to life thanks to the extraordinary generosity and engagement of the staff and faculty at Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business. The agenda included a personalized campus tour, an engaging student panel, a leadership and career development session, and a sample class with a Fordham business professor.
“At every turn, the team at Fordham offered their time, insight, and energy,” said Collier Lumpkin, associate director of student development for pre-graduate school advising, who led the planning of the event. “Their hospitality created space for our students to imagine new possibilities, ask thoughtful questions, and reflect on the type of professionals—and people—they want to become.”
For Elon students, the evening was a powerful example of experiential learning in action. Not only did it expose them to the world of possibilities within graduate education in New York City, but it also offered a model of what collaborative, student-centered programming can look like when institutions work together with intention. As Elon continues to invest in high-impact learning and career exploration, opportunities like this underscore the university’s deep commitment to preparing students to lead lives of meaning and purpose—wherever their paths may take them.
