MEDIA, Pa. — Penn State Brandywine hosted its second annual Alumni, Internship and Mentorship (AIM) Academy event on Oct. 8. Organized by the department of academic affairs, career services, and development and alumni relations, the AIM Academy brings together students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the campus to make connections with people in their fields.
“AIM Academy was a powerful testament to the strength of our alumni network and the potential of our students,” said Patton Vo, director of campus development.
“With nearly 100 students engaging directly with 11 alumni and industry partners, we witnessed real transformation — from building career connections to gaining invaluable insight into workforce success. This is exactly what the AIM Academy was designed to do: bridge education and opportunity.”
The event featured a panel discussion, breakout networking sessions and conversations that encouraged students to explore career paths, seek mentorship and internship opportunities, and learn about best practices for applying for positions. Alumni shared their experiences of interning throughout college and their paths to where they are now. Faculty and staff also were there to facilitate introductions and guide students to make the most of the event.
“The AIM Academy is one of my favorite events on campus. I love seeing our alumni’s dedication to supporting students as they begin their career journeys, offering guidance and encouragement,” said Dana Hallahan, assistant director of alumni relations. “Watching our students light up as they learn from alumni and experience the power of mentorship is truly inspiring every time.”
The professionals at the event included:
- Chris Bradley (class of 2015) – founder and owner, Bradley Partner
- Chabreena Dixon-Corbin (class of 2014) – outpatient therapist, Corbin Counseling LLC
- Victor Ficarra (class of 2021) – international tax attorney, Deloitte
- Rachel Kilty – talent acquisition partner, Chatham Financial
- Andy Kind-Rubin – former chief clinical officer and vice president of clinical services, Child Guidance Resource Centers
- Bill Knott – former senior manager, Apple Inc.
- Kathryn Mariani – professional development educator, Child Guidance Resource Centers
- Shannon Matthews (class of 2016) – community resource developer/Perkins coordinator, Delaware County Technical School
- David Rosenberg (class of 1974) – president, David and Marjorie Rosenberg Family Foundation
- Bruce Ryan (class of 1991) – chief photojournalist, NBC10/Telemundo62
- Denita Wright Watson (class of 1993) – equal employment opportunity specialist, Penn State
The success of this year’s AIM Academy showed Penn State Brandywine’s commitment to preparing students for their careers post-graduation and fostering lifelong connections with the University’s alumni network.