The University of Arkansas has named Carrie Kearney as the new director of employer relations, for the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Kearney, in collaboration with the university’s Career Development Center in the Division of Student Affairs, will work to increase employment opportunities for Fulbright College students and recent alumni.

Robin Ann Roberts, dean of Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences spoke about the effort put forward for Fulbright students. “Our students are outstanding, and they deserve jobs,” Roberts said. “I deeply appreciate what the Division of Student Affairs has done for us. This new position will provide highly specialized insight into where jobs and internships are, and Carrie will prepare students to compete for placement.”

Working in tandem with Fulbright’s advising center and the Career Development Center, Kearney falls under the supervision of the development and external relations department of Fulbright College, which works to identify potential employers by combining data from students, faculty and administrators. “I am so excited that we now have someone whose primary role is to identify full-time jobs and internships for our Fulbright students,” and Angela Williams, director of the university Career Development Center. 

Kearney is the second director of employer relations hired to work in conjunction with a college and the Career Development Center. The College of Engineering has a person in this position as well.

“Adding a second director of employer relations position to the campus, specifically Fulbright, is an exciting collaboration with the college and a welcomed enhancement to our commitment of strengthening students for success,” said Danny Pugh, vice provost for student affairs and dean of students. “Getting boots on the street to connect the University of Arkansas with local, regional, state and national employers is critical to support our graduates. Working with these corporations, we will be able to identify internship and career opportunities for our students and alumni.”

Williams is also excited about what Kearney brings to the institution. “Carrie brings to our team a significant amount of corporate recruiting experience and already has strong business relationships with many key business leaders,” said Williams. 

With this experience Kearney has had the opportunity to see what many universities, including the University of Arkansas, do well to encourage employers to recruit students from their schools. “I have also had the chance to see how universities help students represent themselves to potential employers,” Kearney said. “It is a cyclical process. The student, the university and the employer must be prepared for the experience. My goal is to help more students find great careers in unexpected places.”

Kearney holds a degree in anthropology from the University of Arkansas, and has previously worked at both Wal-Mart and Tyson as a corporate recruiter in human resources.