PA Chamber Announces Launch of EPIC Program at Event with East Stroudsburg University, AT&T

Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on February 19, 2025, No Comments

On Friday, February 14, at an event on the campus of East Stroudsburg University (ESU), faculty and members of the ESU student body joined AT&T, and the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry to announce ESU and AT&T’s participation in a first-of-its-kind partnership in Pennsylvania – the Employer Provided Innovation Challenges (EPIC) program. The partnership, which is affiliated with the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s EPIC initiative and was facilitated with the support of the PA Chamber, brings together the university and the telecommunications company as they help pilot a collaborative workforce development solution.

During the eight-week program, two cohorts of 10 ESU students will work in teams to address a real-world challenge identified by AT&T.  Over the course of eight weeks, the students will develop innovative solutions, culminating in presentations and a comprehensive paper to be presented to AT&T executives. Notably, the EPIC program is designed to scale, be credentialed, and deliver high-impact career awareness and preparation for learners.

“We are thrilled to see the EPIC program take root in Pennsylvania,” said PA Chamber Foundation Executive Director Elizabeth Bolden. “By linking students directly with employers, we are helping train the next generation of workers with the skills they need to thrive and prepare them for jobs that will keep them in Pennsylvania as we work to make our Commonwealth more competitive. This initiative helps students learn job-ready skills and gives employers fresh insights to help them work through their challenges as we build a new generation of talent.”

At the launch event, school administrators, students, and AT&T representatives shared their program’s objectives and expected outcomes. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application, providing students with valuable skills and experiences that align with Pennsylvania’s job market needs.

“We are excited to partner with the Pennsylvania Chamber and the U.S. Chamber to bring this exciting opportunity to our students,” said East Stroudsburg University President Kenneth Long. “ESU faculty, administrators, coaches, and staff work to build relationships just like the ones here, to help ensure our students are given opportunities now that will lead them to success in the future. As a public regional institution of higher education, we also understand our duty in preparing a ready and capable workforce for the commonwealth. Partnering with The Chamber is a win for ESU, our students, and the regional workforce.”

“We are incredibly proud to be the first company to participate in the EPIC program in Pennsylvania,” said Dave Kerr, president, AT&T Pennsylvania. “This initiative represents a significant step forward in workforce development, and we are excited to see the innovative solutions that the students will bring to the table.”

The ESU students participating in the EPIC program are Nyah Acklam, a junior majoring in English from Westtown, N.Y.; Joseph Elliott, a freshman majoring in special education from Philadelphia, Pa.; Ryder Johnston, a sophomore majoring in nursing from Hagerstown, Md.; Kiondre Kenner, a graduate student studying management & leadership from Allentown, Pa.; Kale Kumernitsky, a freshman majoring in business management from Coplay, Pa.; Michael Mode, a senior majoring in computer science from East Stroudsburg, Pa.; Leslie Portes Nunez, a senior majoring in marketing from Bushkill, Pa.;  Nicholas Ruiz, a junior majoring in business management from East Stroudsburg, Pa.; Zandray Thompson, a junior majoring in finance from Jackson, N.J.; Favor Toby, a junior majoring in business management from Folcroft, Pa.; Ciera Wilkerson, a sophomore health studies meta major from Scotrun, Pa.; and  Jalen Wilson, a junior majoring in finance from Stroudsburg, Pa.

The EPIC program is encouraging more employer-student partnerships in Pennsylvania throughout 2025. If your organization is interested in getting involved, contact Elizabeth Bolden at ebolden@pachamber.org. More information about the EPIC program can be found on the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s EPIC Initiative webpage.