First Virtual USDA-Sponsored HACU National Internships Info Session A Huge Success
This year's first-ever virtual event held on October 19, 2020, saw a great turnout of 117 students, including CSUMB students from across campus, as well as students from Hartnell and Monterey Peninsula College.
We are so grateful to our speaker, Erica Romero, Assistant Vice President for State Advocacy for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), and Juan Alvarez, our USDA Liason, for their time and dedication to this program. And our very own Dr. Scott Fausti who pulls us all together!— Maj-Britt Kimm, College of Business Internship Program Coordinator
Of the 142 students who RSVP'd, over half said they heard about the event from a professor. In a post-event survey filled out by 78 of the 117 student attendees, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 71% rating the event as a 5 out of 5, while another 21% rated it 4 out of 5.
"We have so many dedicated staff members who work behind the scenes to help create successful events," said Maj-Britt Kimm, College of Business Internship Program Coordinator. "And we are lucky to have an active and energetic Ag Club! Thank you all!"
Susan Harker, who leads the Diamond Key program, opened the event and introduced the speakers. Ms. Harker is also the Interim Director of the MBA Program. She often serves as master of ceremonies at College of Business events and always brings her wonderful energy and enthusiasm to the occasion.
Juan Alvarez is with the USDA Office of Partnership and Public Engagement in Washington, D.C. As USDA Liason, Mr. Alvarez has brought this event to CSUMB for the past several years. In an expression of gratitude to the event organizers in the College of Business Career Gateway Program and Agribusiness Club, Mr. Alvarez said, "I want to thank you for your diligence, hard work, and willingness to promote this [event] at CSUMB, Hartnell, and MPC. Because of your efforts, we were able to educate a large number of students about the program and how they can benefit from the experience as young professionals. My hope is they apply for this unique opportunity. I express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for supporting student success."
The event has traditionally been held in a lecture hall on campus at CSUMB. With the campus closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was held online as a Zoom webinar. The event's featured speaker was Erica Romero, Assistant Vice President for State Advocacy with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). Ms. Romero was impressed with the great turnout of students. She offered her appreciation to CSUMB's College of Business staff and Agribusiness Club student organizers, saying, "Thank you for ensuring that students know about HACU opportunities. We look forward to having your students apply!"
Dr. Shyam Kamath, founding Dean of the College of Business at CSUMB, wrote to Mr. Alvarez, Ms. Romero, and the CSUMB organizing team after the event, saying, "I wanted to thank you both for your support and leadership for this event. The terrific attendance of this event and its impact on the lives and careers of our students attests to your contribution to the success of our students and to meeting the needs of the USDA and our area employers. A sincere and grateful thanks to Dr. Fausti, Ms. Kimm, and our CSUMB team for the outstanding work and support of this event. I am delighted at its success. I look forward to many more events similar to this one."
As a Hispanic-serving and Minority-serving Institution, CSUMB is focused on providing an outstanding education and sustained educational, career, and life success for our majority non-white students. The College of Business is committed to supporting the mission of CSUMB by hosting impactful events that are key to achieving the goals of the mission.
Watch the video of the HACU event.
For more information on this event or Career Gateway, email Maj-Britt Kim: mkimm@csumb.edu.