Indianapolis, Indiana – The University of Indianapolis recently hosted Meet UIndy, an event designed to bridge the gap between students, graduates, and employers seeking to connect with emerging talent. Held at the Stephen F. Fry Professional Edge Center, the event attracted more than 30 organizations from a wide variety of industries, all eager to meet and recruit UIndy students and alumni. From established corporations to innovative startups, employers from across the region came together to engage with students and explore opportunities for internships, mentorships, and career placement.
“At UIndy, we want every employer to feel welcome on our campus,” said Jessica Sremanak, director of employer engagement. “We’re eager to partner with organizations of all sizes to create meaningful experiences for students—whether through events, internships, or customized programs that connect learners with your talent needs.”
The event opened with a keynote address from University President Dr. Tanuja Singh, who emphasized the vital role that universities and local employers play in developing and retaining talent within the state of Indiana.
“Indiana is among the top 10 states in attracting people for educational opportunities, but in the bottom when it comes to keeping people here,” Dr. Singh said. “UIndy, on the other hand, prepares students to stay. More than 80% of our students choose to live and work in Indiana after graduation.”
Dr. Singh noted that student retention increases when learners gain real-world experience with local employers. Early engagement, she said, creates a talent pipeline that benefits both students and the regional workforce. To meet the needs of today’s industries, UIndy has expanded flexible learning options, created stackable and industry-aligned credentials, and integrated experiential learning across all programs. Notable examples include the Roche Academy partnership, the Women’s Executive Leadership Institute, the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into the business curriculum, and new certificate and online offerings through UIndy Online and the Sease Institute.
“UIndy is talent-focused; we are Indiana-focused,” Dr. Singh said. “We are a comprehensive university. We have everything from healthcare to engineering to very niche areas like forensic anthropology and aging studies. Two years ago we updated our mission and vision statements to address not just the traditional college experience of 18-year-olds, but to talk about the learners of today and tomorrow. It’s not about how we teach; it’s about how people learn.”
She also highlighted the broader societal benefits of education. “College education is not just an indicator of economic prosperity. College-educated populations have higher healthcare outcomes, greater socioeconomic outcomes, and better mental health outcomes, all of which contribute to the economy. Our state requires people to be educated, not just for the workforce of today, but for what’s coming years from now.”
What Today’s Students Want from Employers
Following the keynote, a panel of UIndy students shared their perspectives on interacting with employers and navigating internships and job searches. The panel represented a wide variety of academic programs and experiences, including psychology, education, social work, business, political science, history, and marketing. Panelists included Nathan Almack ’25 (Psychology), Sydney Hearn ’27 (Education), Bri Kent ’26 (Social Work), Drew McClure ’26 ’27 (Finance, MBA), Imelda Pozos ’25 ’27 (History, Political Science, MA in Applied Sociology), and Samantha Webb ’29 (Marketing).
The discussion revealed that students highly value company culture, mentorship opportunities, and alignment with personal values, sometimes even above salary considerations. To begin, Sremanak posed several statements to gauge the students’ experiences.
“You’ve been ghosted by a recruiter.” All six students raised their hands.
“Company culture is more important to you than salary.” Again, all six students raised their hands.
“You’d prefer to receive a text rather than an email from a recruiter.” None of the students raised their hands.
“I get a lot of spam calls and texts,” explained Webb. “But I check my email five or six times a day, so receiving an email is way better for me. Plus, emails have everything—dates, times, details—all written out for you, instead of a phone call where you have to write that down yourself.”
Mentorship and values alignment were recurring themes throughout the conversation.
“For me, one of the most important things would be mentorship,” said Pozos. “I want to go into a job knowing the environment and company support me. Another really, really important thing is making sure that the mission and values of the company align with my personal values and seeing those values implemented in day-to-day operations.”
“I think salaries are always going to be a consideration, but it really comes down to the culture and the people,” added McClure. “It comes down to development and what you’re pouring back into your talent.”
Panelists also offered additional insights into how they explore job opportunities and what they look for in employers:
• Students use TikTok and Instagram, alongside more traditional platforms like LinkedIn and Handshake, to discover opportunities.
• Open-ended interview questions such as “Tell me about yourself” or “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” are preferred because they allow candidates to showcase personality and highlight skills.
• Students desire more consistent outreach from employers, particularly smaller universities like UIndy, to feel included in recruitment efforts.
How UIndy Partners with Employers
After hearing from students, employers had the chance to engage with the deans of UIndy’s colleges and schools, who shared how the University maintains a curriculum aligned with industry needs while preparing students for the workforce. Panelists included Dr. Brent Arnold, dean of the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Karl Knapp, dean of the School of Business, Dr. John Kuykendall, dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, and Dr. Travis Miller, dean of the Shaheen College of Arts & Sciences.
Dr. Miller highlighted the Roche Academy partnership through the Shaheen College of Arts & Sciences, which creates specialized STEM tracks for students. The program ensures students gain hands-on experience with diagnostic equipment and skills specifically sought by Roche Diagnostics, often leading to internships and eventual full-time employment.
“Roche came to us because they needed technicians specially trained to use their diagnostic equipment,” Dr. Miller said. “They knew they needed employees with science backgrounds who understood what that equipment was actually supposed to do in practice. So we established concentration tracks within our chemistry and biology programs to meet those needs. Students take a specific block of courses, and they also do an internship with Roche, which can lead to full-time employment after graduation.”
Dr. Kuykendall emphasized how programs within the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences are closely tied to state standards.
“Many of the programs within my college are tied to state standards, meaning students must complete a set of requirements to qualify to work in that profession,” he said. “We assess our students based on their ability to perform at an employer site from the very beginning. We work to ensure they are fair, capable, and ready in your spaces, which is why strong partnerships with employers are essential.”
Dr. Knapp highlighted the School of Business’s industry connections, noting that faculty bring an average of 14 years of professional experience to their classrooms.
“Most universities don’t have that,” he said. “The professors generally study through graduate school, and they understand the theories, but have never practiced them. The advantage we have is that we’ve hired faculty who have had very successful careers in their field, understand the theories, and connect their student with real-world practice.”
Dr. Arnold stressed the critical importance of employer partnerships in health sciences education.
“I can’t produce the employees that you all want in the hospitals and other facilities without your help in placing them in those settings to gain real-world experience,” he said. “That’s where we need your help most.”
Opportunities for Employers
The University of Indianapolis offers multiple avenues for organizations to engage with students and emerging talent, including the Employer Partner Program, Tuition Reimbursement Program, UIndy Athletics with the new Hounds Leadership Academy, the Sease Institute and Women’s Executive Leadership Institute, DesignSpine through the R.B. Annis School of Engineering, and the Innovation Studio through the School of Business.
Employers interested in participating in future events or learning more about partnership opportunities are encouraged to contact Jessica Sremanak, director of employer engagement, at [email protected].
Meet UIndy highlighted how collaboration between students, employers, and the University can create a talent pipeline tailored to the needs of Indiana’s workforce. By providing students with meaningful experiential learning opportunities and giving employers access to well-prepared graduates, UIndy is positioning itself as a hub for career readiness, workforce development, and innovation across multiple industries.
The event underscored the University’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections, promoting experiential learning, and ensuring that students graduate with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to thrive in their chosen fields. From health sciences to business, engineering to the arts, UIndy continues to prepare students to contribute to the local economy while remaining focused on talent retention and long-term career success in Indiana.
