University of North Florida

08/14/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/14/2026 10:43

UNF hosts fifth annual Employer Summit strengthening regional workforce partnerships

More than 250 representatives from over 100 leading Northeast Florida companies, nonprofits and agencies visited the University of North Florida campus Thursday for the fifth annual UNF Employer Summit to discuss workforce needs and partnership opportunities.
Organized by UNF Career Services, the summit serves as the University's signature event to kick off the recruiting season and strengthen industry partnerships across Northeast Florida.
The half-day summit brought together top employer partners from across the Jacksonville region, which is home to four Fortune 500 companies and a dynamic, globally competitive business community. As organizations navigate rapid technological change and evolving workplace expectations, Jacksonville offers students and graduates a wealth of opportunities to build successful careers while helping employers meet evolving workforce needs.
"As a talent engine for Northeast Florida and beyond, the annual UNF Employer Summit is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together with our hiring partners as we celebrate the record-breaking year behind us and plan to do even more together as the new school year arrives," said Scott Curry, senior director of industry engagement for Career Services.
The summit's impressive lineup of attending employers represented a wide range of industries, including healthcare, engineering, finance, transportation and logistics. A few notable participants included NASA, CSI Companies, Stellar Group, KLS Martin, Mayo Clinic, JEA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
UNF Interim President Angela Falconetti thanked the employers for their partnership with the University and their dedication to students, pointing out that about 70 percent of UNF students stay and work in the region.
Provost Karen Patterson shared that for the eighth year in a row, UNF is first in the State University of System of Florida for bachelor's graduates employed in Florida and employed full-time in Florida.

A day of collaboration

The summit began with a networking breakfast and opening remarks from David Garfunkel, Chief Program Officer for the Jacksonville Civic Council. Attendees also participated in a series of breakout panels and workshops led by industry leaders and University staff.
A central theme throughout the day was the growing importance of durable, human-centered skills in today's workplace. In addition to technical expertise, employers increasingly seek graduates who can communicate effectively, adapt to change, solve complex problems, collaborate across teams and leverage emerging technologies responsibly.
"Communication is definitely key for us," said Ethan Shaffer, a second-semester MBA finance student at UNF and representative for Northwestern Mutual. "We look for people who can communicate with anybody from different backgrounds, present themselves professionally and convey a message. Throughout our selection process, candidates meet with people from across our office, so being able to build relationships and communicate across departments is incredibly important."
Sessions explore how organizations can cultivate these competencies, engage early-career talent and create workplace cultures that support continuous learning and professional growth.
Breakout sessions included:
  • "Building an AI-Ready Culture," led by Josh Gellers and Suzanne Ehrlich from UNF Professional & Lifelong Learning
  • "North Florida: A Thriving Economy and Hotbed for Talent," led by Anna Lebesch from JAX USA Partnership
  • "The Student Engagement Playbook: The Employer's Role in Career Education," led by Manny Velasquez from Career Services
  • "Storytelling with Data," led by Coggin Executive Education Amy Bishop and Amanda Kulp
The "Skills-Based Hiring and the Future of Early Talent Recruiting" employer panel, moderated by Associate Provost for Teaching & Learning Dr. Jennifer Kane, featured insights from Dun & Bradstreet, TOTE Maritime, NASA and The Energy Authority.
The day ended with a campus connections lightning round titled "Beyond the Fair: UNF Resources to Elevate your Engagement," which included representatives from Housing, the UNF Foundation, Badging, Hicks Honors College and UNF Alumni Engagement.
Beyond recruiting, events like the Employer Summit create opportunities for employers to exchange ideas, better understand workforce trends and connect students with organizations that align with their strengths and career goals.
"We're all trying to accomplish the same goal," Shaffer said. "The University is developing students in an academic sense, and companies are working with students to develop them in a professional sense. Together, we're helping create well-rounded graduates who are prepared to transition from college into long-term careers."
University of North Florida published this content on August 14, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 14, 2026 at 16:43 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]