white line

Business Career Expo Expanded Dreams Today

 |
Joseph Kim

MNU students and local high school students had the opportunity to meet employers from a host of organizations today at the Business Career Expo. Specifically for students majoring in nine areas of study under the Department of Business Administration, the Expo included organizations hiring for everything from graphic design to accounting to sales and operations. Many employers were looking for interns and all were happy to provide advice on grooming oneself for a future career. In addition to MNU students, several local high schools were invited to bring students looking at careers in business.

In addition to booths for each organization, there were panel presentations from entrepreneurs and corporations. MNU President David Spittal met many of the participants at the event held in Cunningham Center.

“Students were excited to learn about the many career opportunities in our area while many of them indicated they had no idea there were so many options and possibilities,” Spittal said. “The corporate representatives were equally grateful for the event and thrilled that the students interacted with them. One told me, ‘You have great students and we want them working for us.’ That says it all.”

Freshman Myzelle Law, a sports management major and nose tackle for the Pioneers said, the panel presentation caught his attention. “Especially the rep from Sherwin Williams,”Myzelle said. “They said a lot of things that connected with me. I’m not sure what I want to do later on, so this was really helpful.”

Junior graphic design major Maegan Beckner is further along in her education and agrees with Myzelle. She attended a presentation regarding social media management.

“It was helpful to get insight on what it is like to be in the field that I potentially will be in one day,” Maegan said.

Spittal continued enthusiastically, “the Career Expo was about students and their future and it was wonderful to experience their energy and excitement.”

Special thanks to all the people who made the event possible, including organizers Dr. Linda Alexander, Dr. Lisa Wallentine, Glenna Murray, Jeanne Bradford, and a host of other corporate guests and partners.

Thank You Employers:

Amazon
American Digital Security
Associated Wholesale Grocers
Buckle Retail
Budget Car and Truck Rental
Chick-fil-A
Church of Nazarene Foundation
DH Pace Company
FCA
Federal Reserve Bank
FedEx Ground
Garmin International
Global Ministry Center – The Church of the Nazarene, Inc.
Global Missions
Government of Johnson County, Kansas
Hoefer Welker Architecture
Johnson County Government
Johnson County Parks and Recreation
Keller & Owens, LLC
MarksNelson
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
Ryan Lawn & Tree
Sherwin Williams
Southwind
Sporting Kansas City
Terracon
Unconventional Business Network
UPS

Jan
20
MNU’s 20th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration
College Church of the Nazarene, 2020 E. Sheridan, Olathe, Kansas
9:30 am

Jan
24
January Virtual College Affordability Seminar
Online
10:00 am

11:00 am
Jan
30
MNU Family Weekend at Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge, Kansas City, KS
3:00 pm

11:00 am
Jan
31
Olathe's Got Talent 2026
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
7:00 pm

9:00 pm

Featured News

MNU Announces Steve Jin as Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing & Communications
MidAmerica Nazarene University is pleased to welcome Steve Jin as vice president of enrollment, marketing & communications.
Against the Clock at MNU’s 24-Hour Theatre Festival 
A firsthand look at theatre students racing the clock to create and produce a 15-minute production.

Dr. Abby Hodges

Vice President for Academic Affairs

PhD; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
MS; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
BS; Chemistry, Denison University

Dr. Hodges began her career in higher education at Azusa Pacific University as a chemistry professor from 2008 to 2014. She then moved to MNU where she taught and in 2018 was appointed Chair of the Department of Natural, Health, and Mathematical Sciences. From 2022-2023, before accepting the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hodges was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Hodges’ career research has focused on protein folding and protein engineering, and she has mentored over twenty students in these research projects. She has also furthered the MNU first-year experience program and chaired the General Education committee for five years. Dr. Hodges was recognized as the MNU Faculty of the Year in 2021.

Dr. Hodges lives in Olathe with her husband Ryan and two boys.