Muskingum News

The 2025 Khanna Career Connections Conference was back and better than ever. This year, it happened on Friday, Oct. 10, during Homecoming weekend. By moving it to Friday afternoon, it was easier for commuter students and student-athletes to attend. It was the perfect way to kick off the weekend while building their professional network! 

Students selected three sessions to attend, each with 20 minutes of content and 10 minutes for Q&A or reflection, and they could keep the conversation going during the afternoon networking session. Sessions were led by alumni across industries and focused on career-ready skills like leadership, communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and professionalism, everything employers are looking for! 

Jim Jackson ’88, a career marketing expert and most recently the Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer for Hewlett Packard Enterprise, returned to Muskingum as this year’s keynote speaker sharing how mindset and a Muskingum education can serve as the ultimate launchpad for success.

“I wanted students to leave with the belief that the right mindset—combined with a Muskingum education—can help unlock their full potential and take them further than they imagined. I encouraged them to adopt a ‘here’s how I grow’ perspective: to take calculated risks and understand that progress comes from persistence, not perfection. Everyone’s journey is unique, but the path forward is built on small steps that add up—with an eye on your desired end state,” Jim said. “I also emphasized adaptability. In a world shaped by rapid change and emerging technologies like AI, staying nimble and futureproofing your skillset isn’t just smart—it’s essential. These students are entering a workforce that will reward curiosity, collaboration, resilience, and the ability to evolve.”

Drawing on his own journey from a small-town student to global marketing leader, Jim highlighted how resilience, adaptability, and curiosity open doors to opportunity. His talk inspired students to think boldly, embrace challenges, and take immediate steps toward building confidence and shaping their future.

“I have a lot of fond memories from my time at Muskingum. I built lifelong friendships, but more importantly, I learned to think bigger and gained the confidence to envision more for myself,” Jim added. “I probably didn’t realize it when I was a student there, but Muskingum gave me the foundation to reach higher and opened doors I didn’t know existed. That’s why I wanted to reinforce the importance of confidence and maximizing every opportunity. You only get one shot at life—it’s important to lean in and not be afraid to put yourself in uncomfortable situations. If you try something and it’s not the right fit, you can pivot—but you’ll be stronger for having tried.”

This year’s session presenters included: 

• David Snider ’11, Senior Associate Director, Denison University – Push Your Limits: Thriving Outside Your Comfort Zone
• Emma Cepek ’24, Planner, City of Reynoldsburg – Going Places: How Study Away Prepares You for the Working World
• Kayla Wilkerson ’19, Director of Budget and Finance, Ohio Senate – Emerging Leaders: Making an Impact Early in Your Career 
• Maria Kalis ’95, Judge, Muskingum County Common Pleas Court – Lead Boldly: Building Confidence in Any Setting 
• Bonnie Taylor ’05, Founder, Taylor Strategic Consulting – Own Your Voice: Confidence in Action 
• Laney Hitchens ’25, Communications and Marketing Director, Marietta Community Foundation – Breaking the Illusion: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 
• Michelle Brown ’94, Financial Advisor, Raymond James – Make It Matter: Adding Value in Everything You Do 
• Kim Mattox ’94, State Farm Representative – Real World Money: What You Didn’t Learn in Class 
• Kimi Corrigan ’08, Vice President, Huntress – Beyond the Resume: Telling Your Story in Interviews 
• Mike Reilly ’77, Owner & President, Starfish Signs and Graphics – Resilience at Work: Bouncing Back & Moving Forward 
• Heath Watton ’95 and Kevin Krumlauf ’91 – More Than a Game: Translating Athletic Skills to the Workplace 
• Dan Shuey ’06, Partner and Vice President of Legal, Lisinski Law – More Than a Paycheck: Defining Success on Your Own Terms
• Dan Busby ’94, Director of Development, Boy Scouts of America – Purpose & Payoff: How Philanthropy Can Shape Your Career 
• Jordan Raugh, Director of Mentoring & Alumni Impact, Phi Kappa Psi – Different is Powerful: Thriving in Diverse Workplaces 
• Gracie Andrews ’23, Senior Assistant Director, College of Wooster – Surviving Your First Job 
• Jen Noble ’03, Vice President, Morgan Stanley – Workplace Personalities: The Good, the Bad & the Hilarious 
• Chetan Khandhari ’97, Chief Innovation and Digital Officer, Nationwide – AI on the Job: Tools, Trends & How to Stay Ahead 
• Craig Kwasniewski ’97, Director of Human Resources, Discount Drug Mart – That Was Hard to Say: Navigating Tough Talks at Work 
• Rachele Hill ’08, Human Resources Director, Osborn Engineering – Apply Anyway: Decoding Job Descriptions & Knowing When You’re Ready
• Tim Palmer ’88, Senior VP of Sales, AtriCure Inc. – Early Career, Lasting Impact: Building Yourself and Your Workplace from Day One

Whether it’s learning how to translate athletic skills to the workplace, navigating tough conversations, or figuring out their first job, students received real-world advice from alumni and were able to make connections that can help them now and in the future. 

Thanks to the support of the Anuj Khanna ’86 family, the Khanna Career Connections Conference was free for Muskingum students. In addition to presenting, alumni volunteers served as session moderators, assisted with day-of registration, and attended the networking session.

If you are interested in volunteering for next year’s Khanna Career Connections Conference or getting involved in other ways that impact Muskingum students, you can complete this form. You also can learn more about engagement opportunities by visiting the Impact Center website.