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EXECUTIVES IN RESIDENCE

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Students ranging from freshmen to graduates got the opportunity to learn from Idaho State alumna Trisa Clemons as part of our Executive in Residence program. Clemons is a partner at KPMG, a Big Four accounting firm.

“It is so helpful for our students to see the real-world applications of what they are learning in the classroom, and the experiences and stories these executives share help demonstrate that what they are learning today will help their future careers,” said the Director of Graduate Studies, Kristine McCarty.

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While there is great value in these programs for the students, it is also a great way for alumni to connect with current students and see how the campus has changed since they graduated. Clemons said, “I truly enjoyed the opportunity to be on campus and with students during the Executive in Residence program. I appreciated sharing the story of my Idaho roots and my career in hopes that some students will see the potential in their own stories. I certainly never thought my life would take the turns that it has but want to encourage students to take advantage of opportunities along the way and see where they lead."

Since starting this program, the College has been able to bring in professionals from a variety of different accomplished backgrounds. This has allowed students not only to learn about different professional fields, but also to develop connections they can use down the road when they graduate.

This fall was an exciting time for the College of Business sales program with the construction of the Walter P. Brown Center for Sales Excellence underway, as well as a visit from Mike Hill, a prominent Idaho State University alumnus with over thirty years of experience in the sales field.

Hill explained, “The goal for my visit was to help students better understand sales as a career path option. It is difficult to assess whether you would be interested in a profession without having some knowledge of what it really means to work in that profession. I tried to provide

the best unvarnished view of what working in sales is really all about by sharing my own experiences in both the good and bad.”

Because the sales program in the College of Business is relatively new, having professionals from Idaho State that have made an impact in their field is extremely valuable to students who may be considering these career paths. Mike was able to meet with a number of classes and a variety of students over the course of his visit, some of which were already part of the sales program as well as others who may not have otherwise considered it.

Mike closed by saying, “My education at Idaho State was a launching pad for my own career. It is very gratifying to me to have the opportunity to give a little something back to the College of Business!”

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