Earlier this summer, 10 students from East Stroudsburg University participated in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s 3rd Annual EPIC (Employer-Provided Innovation Challenges) Conference in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n
Selected by the U.S. Chamber to deliver the final presentation and bring the conference to a close, ESU was one of only six universities invited to present at the EPIC Conference. The team of students highlighted how employer-provided challenges connect academic theory with real-world business applications and help prepare students for today’s workforce.<\/p>\n
“Our students did an exceptional job. They were confident, articulate, and thoroughly prepared,” said Sylvester Williams, dean of ESU\u2019s College of Business and Management. “They represented East Stroudsburg University with professionalism and poise, and I could not have been prouder of their performance.”<\/p>\n
The ESU student delegation represented multiple academic disciplines within the College of Business and Management, demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of experiential learning at ESU. The students included: Tyler Akob, a 2026 graduate with a degree in finance from Saylorsburg, Pa.; Didro Augustin, a 2026 graduate with a degree in finance from Alburtis, Pa.; Jon Duffy, a sophomore majoring in marketing from Jim Thorpe, Pa; Brandon Evans, a junior majoring in sport management from Tobyhanna, Pa.; Neylla Joseph, a sophomore majoring in hotel, restaurant and tourism management from Stroudsburg, Pa.; Amie Mason, a senior majoring in accounting from Allentown, Pa.; Anthony Quadrino, a senior majoring in accounting from Dingmans Ferry, Pa.; Isaia Robinson, a senior majoring in accounting from Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Anthony Rodriguez, a senior majoring in finance from Canadensis, Pa.; and Zandray Thompson, a 2026 graduate with a degree in finance from Jackson, N.J.<\/p>\n
The students’ participation represents the College of Business and Management’s continued emphasis on experiential learning as a central component of an ESU education. Through employer-sponsored projects, internships, industry interactions and applied classroom experiences, students are provided opportunities to develop the skills needed to transition successfully from the classroom to the workplace.<\/p>\n
“Employer partnerships are an essential part of the educational model we are building,” Williams said. “These partnerships allow our students to apply what they learn in the classroom to authentic business challenges, while employers benefit from the creativity, research and problem-solving capabilities of our students.”<\/p>\n
Through this approach, the College of Business and Management is strengthening connections between academic programs and industry while creating additional opportunities for students to develop professional competencies before graduation.<\/p>\n