- Date: ÌýWednesday, May 14, 2025
- Time: Ìý9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Location: ÌýWebb University Center
*Registration Closes April 30, 2025
Please contact employers@odu.edu with questions. Thank you!
Â鶹´«Ã½ Career Summit: Bridging the Skills Gap
The Â鶹´«Ã½ Career Summit is a drive-in conference that allows recruiters and Â鶹´«Ã½ faculty and staff to interact, learn, connect, and engage. Now, more than ever, it is critical for higher education and the workforce to align as we prepare students for life after graduation through meaningful experiences both on campus and beyond. This conference addresses critical topics impacting college recruitment and career development and fosters engagement with the premier institution of the Hampton Roads area. This year's theme is The Value of Partnerships. The conference will feature various sessions to help our employers leverage Â鶹´«Ã½ as a vital source for their talent pipeline and help our faculty/staff effectively support students' career aspirations.
On May 10, 2023, we welcomed approximately 70 representatives from more than 40 companies and more than 50 faculty and staff to the inaugural Â鶹´«Ã½ Career Summit. The theme for this mini-conference was PrÂ鶹´«Ã½cing Tomorrow’s Talent. Our keynote speaker was Jason Kies, CPA from KPMG. We had many presentations, breakout sessions and panels throughout the day.
On May 8, 2024, we welcomed approximately 70 representatives from more than 40 companies and more than 60 faculty and staff to the second annual Â鶹´«Ã½ Career Summit. The theme for this mini-conference was The Value of Partnerships. Our keynote speaker was Sarah Jane Kirkland, Associate Vice President for Corporate Partnerships at Â鶹´«Ã½.
Location:ÌýNorth & Central Café
Location:ÌýNorth & Central Café
Presenter
Dr. Jenn Grimm
Executive Director, Center for Career and Leadership Development
Location:ÌýNorth & Central Café
Presenter
Dr. Brandi Hephner LaBanc
Vice President for the Division of Student Enrollment, Engagement and Services
Location:ÌýNorth & Central Café
Presenter
Whitney Lester
Vice President of Talent Development, Hampton Roads Workforce Council
Whitney Lester is the Vice President of Talent Development for the , where he is addressing the local labor shortage and leading the efforts to align education and training with business needs while developing, attracting, and retaining talent within the Hampton Roads region. Prior to joining the Workforce Council in 2019, Whitney enjoyed 8 years at VersAbility Resources as their Director of Business Development, finding and creating jobs for people with disabilities of all kinds. He also spent 13 years with the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the nation’s capital. Whitney earned both his Bachelor’s Degree and his M.B.A. from the College of William & Mary. He lives in Norfolk with his wife Elaine and their combined four children.
Location:ÌýNorth & Central Café
Moderator
Dr. Victoria Martin
Assistant Vice President for Retention and Transitions
Panelists
- Melinda Cassidy
Talent Acquisition Business Partner, City of Virginia Beach - Kendall Goodin
Talent Acquisition Manager, Colonna's Shipyard - Nicole Morgan
Talent Development Specialist; Wall, Einhorn & Chernitzer - Verlaine Quinniey
College Recruiting Manager, Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. & Family Dollar Stores, Inc.
Location:ÌýNorth & Central Café
Presenters
Ìý
- Jenna Rowlands
Associate Director for Administration and Strategic Initiatives, Center for Career and Leadership Development - Ayngaran Krishnamurthy
Graduate Assistant for Strategic Initiatives, Center for Career and Leadership Development
Soft Skills Developed Through the Food Service Industry
Target Audience: Faculty/Staff
Presenters
- Brandyen Oiler
HR Generalist Coordinator, Monarch Dining - Courtney Greskowiak
Marketing Manager, Monarch Dining
Ìý
Session Summary
The food service industry is a dynamic and fast-paced environment that offers a unique platform for developing essential soft skills. These skills are not only crucial for success within the industry but are also transferable to various professional settings. This session will explore how working in food service fosters the development of these vital life skills.
Tap into Top Talent: The Hampton Roads Workforce Council
Target Audience: Employers
Presenters
- Deborah “Dede†Bailey
Director of Business Services, Hampton Roads Workforce Council - Tavaris Powell
Healthcare Partner Engagement Manager, Hampton Roads Workforce Council - Joshua Sheffield
Emerging Workforce Internship Coordinator, Hampton Roads Workforce Council
Ìý
Session Summary
Are you a Hampton Roads business excited about opportunities to find and retain qualified employees? Do you want to invest in the next generation of talent while strengthening your team? This workshop, presented by the Hampton Roads Workforce Council (HRWC), will explore how to engage young talent and build a pipeline of skilled workers through on-the-job training, apprenticeships, internships, and other valuable business services.
Beyond Strome: A Core Skills Toolkit
Target Audience: Employers & Faculty/Staff
Presenters
- Paige O’Shaughnessy
Senior Lecturer, School of Accountancy, Strome College of Business - Sara Russell Riggs
Senior Lecturer, Department of Finance, School of Supply Chain, Logistics, and Maritime Operations - Rebecca Kilduff
Lecturer, Department of Marketing, Strome College of Business
Ìý
Session Summary
Strome College of Business students should be ready for life beyond the classroom. They need a toolkit that hones business communication, leadership, and etiquette skills. Our initiative prepares students to participate in the university's experiential learning initiative and beyond. As we are facing changing business environments with a focus on more electronic communication and distant work operations, it is still vital our students are ready for the workforce and have the skills to work and communicate with others.
In the Name of Student Success: Recognizing the Power of Connections in Action
Target Audience: Employers & Faculty/Staff
Presenters
- Emily Harmon
Academic Counselor, TRiO Student Support Services - Donna Chittum
Talent Acquisition Specialist, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board
Ìý
Session Summary
During the inaugural 2023 Â鶹´«Ã½ Career Summit, employer, Donna Chittum and Â鶹´«Ã½ AP Faculty, Emily Harmon, connected and formed a lasting partnership which has directly benefited students at Â鶹´«Ã½. In this session, participants will discover actionable strategies to leverage and maintain meaningful connections formed at this Â鶹´«Ã½ Career Summit. By sharing real-world applications, this session will equip attendees with practical tools to actively implement your desired career initiatives for students and foster long-term employer engagement.
What Student Employee Supervisors Need to Know
Target Audience: Faculty/Staff
Presenters
- Myles Nixon
Student Employment Programs Manager, Center for Career and Leadership Development - Anna Ryan Robertson
Project Manager for FWS Internship Program, Center for Career and Leadership Development - Kristin Stephens
Assistant Director for Experiential Learning, Center for Career and Leadership Development
Ìý
Session Summary
With employers increasingly reporting that recent college graduates are not fully prepared for the workforce, it is important that we work together to bridge the gap. This session will provide valuable insights on how we can better equip our students with the professional skills and workplace competencies needed for success, leveraging the NACE career readiness competencies and best practices in supervision and mentorship.Ìý You will leave with practical tools and strategies to enhance both student and staff development, ensuring we are prepared to equip student workers with the proper tools to excel in their careers before and after graduation.
Bridging the Skills Communication Gap: The Â鶹´«Ã½ LeADERS Distinction
Target Audience: Employers
Presenters
- Dr. Lanah Stafford
Director of High Impact Learning Initiatives, Academic Success Initiative - Josie Momberger
Assistant Director of High Impact Learning Initiatives, Academic Success Initiatives
Ìý
Session Summary
LeADERS is an Â鶹´«Ã½ distinction awarded to students who successfully complete multiple high-impact learning experiences during their undergraduate tenure. LeADERS graduates complete at least twice as many high-impact learning experiences as the national standard, including a comprehensive showcase of their skills and experiences via ePortfolio. This session will introduce employers to the LeADERS program and collect feedback on its relevance for their hiring practices, including reviewing and providing input on an example ePortfolio.
A Collaborative Multi-Pronged Approach to Equipping Students and Working Adults for Career Success
Target Audience:Ìý Employers & Faculty/Staff
Presenters
- Dean Claud
Director of Employer Partnerships, Â鶹´«Ã½Global - Robert Doherty
Director of Continuing Education, Â鶹´«Ã½Global - Kimberly Williams
Manager of Employer Partnerships, Â鶹´«Ã½Global - Dr. Renee Felts
Associate Vice President of Continuing Education, Â鶹´«Ã½Global
Ìý
Session Summary
Discover how Â鶹´«Ã½Global Continuing Education and Employer Partnerships bridge the skills gap with innovative, industry-aligned programs. This session highlights Â鶹´«Ã½'s comprehensive approach to equipping students and employees with essential competencies for career success at every stage. Learn how employers can collaborate with Â鶹´«Ã½ to boost participation in education benefits, enhance workforce skills, and reduce turnover. Explore strategies that support lifelong learning and provide clear pathways to professional advancement in today’s rapidly evolving job market.
The Humanities Advantage: Making Crucial Skills Visible Through Work-Based Learning
Target Audience: Employers & Faculty/Staff
Presenters
- Dr. Megan Mize
Director for ePortfolios and Digital Initiatives, Â鶹´«Ã½ Academic Success Center - Alison Lietzenmayer
Master Lecturer, Department of Communication & Theatre Arts, Â鶹´«Ã½ College of Arts & Letters; Director of Faculty Development, Monarch Humanities Internship Academy
Ìý
Session Summary
This session makes visible how Humanities education develops critical career competencies—like communication, critical thinking, and cultural competency—and explores how work-based learning (WBL) and reflective ePortfolios help students articulate and apply these skills in professional settings. Using student testimonials and research, the session demonstrates how WBL bridges the gap between classroom learning and workforce readiness, preparing students for meaningful careers that require innovation, adaptability, and collaboration.
Location: North & Central Café
Presenter
Dr. Jenn Grimm
Executive Director, Center for Career and Leadership Development
