Troy University’s Sorrell College of Business is preparing to officially launch its Sorrell Corporate Partnership Program, an initiative designed to strengthen relationships between the college and businesses throughout the region while providing students with greater access to business leaders and career opportunities.

The program connects organizations within approximately a one-hour radius of Troy with Sorrell College students and faculty through a tiered partnership model focused on visibility, access and recruiting support.

The college currently has 17 corporate partners — 12 at the Dean’s Level, three at the Silver Level and two at the Cardinal Level — as well as one supporter.

Stan Blankenship, Partnership Program Coordinator, said the program is designed to build strong relationships with area businesses and industries while supporting a key strategic goal of the college’s five-year strategic plan.

“Through our AACSB Accreditation, we are charged with making a societal impact, and this program is one way of giving us that opportunity,” Blankenship said.

For students, the program will provide opportunities to hear directly from business leaders about their professional experiences and gain insight into today’s business environment.

“We want students to hear firsthand from business leaders about their experiences and share their advice to help prepare students for their future business endeavors,” Blankenship said. “We also want them to know that this program is a great way to enhance their business education.”

The Corporate Partnership program also will provide opportunities for businesses to engage with students through classroom presentations, internships and other activities. The goal is for those relationships to potentially lead to full-time employment after graduation.

“We want our partners to feel part of our College of Business and to be comfortable engaging with our students and faculty,” Blankenship said. “We also want our partners to provide internships to our students, which can lead to full-time job opportunities.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, a Partnership member itself, will provide an opportunity to recognize the program’s founding partners and introduce them to Sorrell College faculty, staff and students. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Sept. 22 in John Robert Lewis Hall on the Troy Campus.

The event also will showcase the college’s Corporate Partnership Wall, which will display partner logos. Partners also will be promoted through the college’s digital assets, including campus televisions, social media and the Sorrell Co-Lab website.

Founding Partners include, on the Dean’s Level, KW Plastics, AAA Cooper, Troy Bank & Trust, Walmart Distribution Center 7019, Guardian Credit Union, Regions Bank, Troy Regional Medical Center, Pike County Chamber of Commerce, Horn Beverage, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, Jackson Thornton, and Warren Averett.

Cardinal level members are Ozark Striping and Edward Jones. Silver level partners are Sanders Lead, Southeastern Freight Lines and Great Southern Wood Preserving. Assurance Financial Group is a Sponsor Level partner.

“We are so excited to see this vision come to fruition,” Blankenship said. “Dr. Judson Edwards saw the importance of getting area businesses invested in our college, and Dr. Laura Dove has spearheaded the effort to push this initiative forward.”

Blankenship said the program is particularly meaningful to him as a Troy graduate and former business professional.

“As a Troy alum with my undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Sorrell College of Business, I can clearly see how getting these business partners engaged with our students will be of great benefit,” he said. “I spent 37 years in the apparel industry and can understand how the practical experiences these business leaders will share can help complement what we are teaching our students in the classroom.”

“This is where collaboration creates real impact,” Blankenship said.

To learn more about partnering with Sorrell College, Blankenship may be contacted via email to slblankenship@troy.edu.