UNF hosts top local business leaders at Employer Summit
The University of North Florida hosted more than 60 of its top employer partners in the greater Jacksonville area for the second annual UNF Employer Summit on Aug. 2. The event brought together influential local companies, nonprofits, organizations and agencies that help shape and strengthen opportunities for UNF students to collaborate on meeting the talent needs in the region.
UNF President Moez Limayem delivered a welcoming keynote address expressing gratitude to UNF’s local business partners, sharing his vision for the University’s future, the new strategic plan and enrollment growth goals.
“UNF is our region’s top talent developer and producer of future leaders who will fuel Florida’s economic growth,” said President Limayem. “We are responding to evolving employer needs by establishing new industry-driven recruiting programs and events that target in-demand fields such as finance, nursing and technology.”
Local industry leaders from Haskell, The Energy Authority, Dun & Bradstreet, SMT (SportsMEDIA Technology) Jacksonville, Fidelity and Crowley hosted panel discussions about creating successful internship programs and strategic recruitment plans. JAXUSA and Coggin Graduate & Executive Programs presented workshops focused on the regional economy. UNF Career Services organized the event and presented the Employer Impact Award to SMT Jacksonville, the Excellence in Internships Award to Haskell and the Emerging Employer Star Award to Dun & Bradstreet.
Aundra Wallace, president of JAXUSA Partnership, said leaders often hear from local companies that available talent is the biggest factor to their success.
“In educating and graduating the best and the brightest, we want to ensure that talent stays in our region and takes advantage of the opportunities for gainful and meaningful employment right here in Northeast Florida,” Wallace said. “A growing, thriving economy is dependent on the strong partnership and open dialogue between UNF and local companies to develop the skilled, talented workforce employers need to thrive here, and we are happy to see it at play through events such as the Employer Summit.”