Rohnert Park, California - The School of Business and Economics (SBE) at Sonoma State University (SSU) today announced a new corporate partnership program designed to provide increased exposure to corporate roles and opportunities for students, and increased access to quality employee prospects and expert faculty for the business community. Initial partners in the program comprise leading companies across a range of industries and sectors, including Southern Wine & Spirits, Sherwin-Williams, Enterprise, Solairus Aviation, Young's Market, Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Bolt Staffing, Linkenheimer LLP, and the Lee Accountancy Group, among others.
"Partnership and collaboration are the lifeblood of student achievement and economic success. We're privileged to affiliate with some of the region's industry leaders, and proud to engage all local businesses. Generous investments in our core operations help us meet today's workforce challenges by developing tomorrow's leaders. This pipeline to a quality, stable workforce benefits young people and their families, the business community, and the broader economy," Dr. William Silver, Dean of the School of Business and Economics said.
"We're pleased to be one of the first members of the Corporate Partnership Program where we collaborate actively with professors to prepare students for a competitive job market. It's a win-win opportunity to sponsor the Professional Sales Certificate and work directly with wine business and marketing students," Greg Clefisch, College Recruiting Manager for Southern Wine & Spirits said.
Corporate benefits of the program include participation at recruiting functions and other student-facing events on campus, acknowledgement in School and University publications, professional program fee discounts, student project support, guest speaking opportunities, and other features. Investments are used to support SBE priority projects and general operations, including development of new programs and services in the SBE Career Center and student Accounting Forum.
In 2016, the School of Business and Economics expects to connect students with professional mentors at more than 30 companies, sponsor both the North Bay Make-a-Thon and SSU Economic Outlook Conference, and place more than 100 accounting students in careers at top firms, among other achievements and activities.
For more information regarding the Corporate Partnership Program, please contact Sarah Dove, program coordinator and Director of the SBE Career Center at sarah.dove@sonoma.edu or (707) 664-2548. For information regarding programs and degrees in the School of Business and Economics, please contact (707) 664-3501, or visit www.sonoma.edu/sbe.