Mitchell College of Business Hosts “Business for a Better Planet” Networking Event
Posted on April 22, 2025 by Michelle Hale
April 22, 2025 – The Office of Academic Enhancement is proud to spotlight the innovative work of Jessica Franks, JD, Director of Graduate Programs in the Mitchell College of Business. With funding from the LevelUP Program Accelerator, Franks launched the Green Career Pathways Initiative: Preparing Students for Sustainable Careers, a forward-thinking project designed to connect students with sustainability-focused professional pathways. As part of this initiative, the Mitchell College of Business hosted the “Business for a Better Planet – Green Careers Networking Event” on April 22, 2025, in celebration of Earth Day.
Held on the MCOB Terrace, this networking event brought together students, faculty, and local professionals committed to eco-conscious business practices. Attendees explored how business and sustainability intersect, and left with actionable insights and meaningful connections that support career growth in green industries.
"Jessica Franks' Green Career Pathways Initiative is a powerful example of what LevelUP Program Accelerators are designed to achieve: innovative, student-centered programming that connects academic learning to real-world impact. By fostering career exploration in sustainability, Jessica has not only advanced our QEP goals but also created a meaningful experience that prepares students to lead in a changing global economy." Julie M. Estis, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Interim Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Executive Director, Academic Enhancement.
Franks’ initiative aligns with the aims of the University of South Alabama’s LevelUP Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which supports students in becoming uniquely prepared for what comes next by connecting learning across experiences and developing key career readiness competencies for success after graduation. The LevelUP Program Accelerators, awarded on a competitive basis, empower academic programs and student services to launch high-impact practices, enhance the curriculum, expand technology skills, and incorporate industry feedback into curriculum and career development efforts.