This event is invite-only to NVTC members and has limited seats to ensure meaningful collaboration. Register by Friday, May 23 to be part of this pioneering conversation. 

Click Here to register. 

The one-size-fits-all approaches to traditional internship programs often fail to fully align with a company’s unique needs. This event is designed for companies that are ready to break the mold and co-create with James Madison University X-Labs a progressive, high-impact internship model tailored to their business. 

Join us for a 4-hour, highly interactive session where you will: 

• Rethink the traditional internship model and explore new possibilities. 
• Gain first-hand insights from Ellucian HR and Innovation executives in a 45-minute panel discussion, as they share the remarkable success of their partnership in our pilot program.
• Engage in a 60-minute design sprint that uses design thinking principles to help you reimagine your company’s internship model. This hands-on session will guide you through defining key challenges, generating innovative solutions, and identifying actionable next steps tailored to your business.
• Strategize with higher education experts in innovation and workforce development to turn ideas into action. 

• A starting strategy for designing a customized internship program  
• Exclusive learnings from a successful pilot program - directly from Ellucian’s HR and Innovation leaders who co-created the model  
• A first-mover advantage in shaping the future of tech internships 

• HR and Talent Acquisition Leaders 
• Hiring Managers in Tech-Driven Fields 
• Innovation and Workforce Development Professionals 
• Company Leaders Seeking Fresh Approaches to Talent Engagement 

8:00AM – 8:30AM  Networking, Breakfast

8:30AM – 9:00AM  Welcome Remarks, Introductions, Program Overview  

9:00AM – 9:45AM  Panel – Designing Internships for Impact: A Conversation with Ellucian 

Bill Blackford · Hamid Elias · Lacey Gerard · Sania Khan

9:45AM – 10:00AM  Break

10:00AM – 11:00AM  Workshop – Custom Internships, Real Impact: A Hands-On Sprint for Tech Leaders

Patrice Ludwig

11:00AM – 11:15AM  Break

11:15AM – 11:45AM  Next Step Consultations

Carrie Combs · Connie Frigo · Patrice Ludwig · Cari Orebaugh

11:45AM – 12:00PM  Closing Remarks 

JMU Facilitators 

• Carrie Combs, Senior Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations  LinkedIn Profile   
• Connie Frigo, Executive Director, X-Labs  LinkedIn Profile   
• Patrice Ludwig, Interim Assistant Vice President, Research and Innovation  LinkedIn Profile   
• Cari Orebaugh, Programs & Initiatives Manager, X-Labs  LinkedIn Profile 

Ellucian Panelists 

• Bill Blackford, VP, Global Talent Management  LinkedIn Profile  
• Hamid Elias, Associate Product Manager, Incubation  LinkedIn Profile  
• Lacey Gerard, Director, Experience Design  LinkedIn Profile  
• Sania Khan, VP, Product Platform and Innovation  LinkedIn Profile  

Companies that are ready to move forward in shaping the next generation of talent will have the opportunity to partner with JMU X-Labs in implementing this innovative internship model. This partnership includes a financial investment to support the development and sustainability of customized internship experiences tailored to your business needs.

For more information, contact: 
Connie Frigo
Executive Director 
JMU X-Labs 
frigocm@jmu.edu