HUNTINGDON COLLEGE
News Release
July 10, 2024
For more information, contact:
Laura Brelsford | laura.brelsford@hawks.huntingdon.edu | 334-833-4563
Sherry Leigh Farquhar | ccv@hawks.huntingdon.edu | 334-833-4562
Five Hawks Selected for Summer Leadership Programs in Montgomery
Montgomery, AL – When local leadership programs are seeking college students, they often find some of Montgomery’s best among the Huntingdon student body. Several of our students have made a positive name for Huntingdon in leadership programs this summer.
Sam Fields ’26, Blake Smith ’25, and Haley Sutherland ’26 have been selected for FuelAL: Montgomery Experience Initiative, a “talent retention program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, supported by Innovate Alabama for college students who are interning in the city of Montgomery.” The mission of this group is to connect college students to their communities to allow them to see what it’s really like to live, work, and play in (Montgomery) Alabama after graduating from college. The program provides young professionals the opportunity to sharpen their professional skills while learning more about Montgomery and its rich history, culture, and entertainment. Sam and Blake are interning with Jackson Thornton, a local CPA and business consulting firm, and Haley is interning with the Accounts Payable Office of the Retirement Systems of Alabama.
Haley states, “The Alabama Fuel program has been such a fun opportunity. I have already made new friends and connections for future endeavors. The group activities include fun things to do in Montgomery, plus great tips and tricks for furthering one’s career. I can’t wait to see where the Alabama Fuel program takes me!”
Sam comments, “My internship at Jackson Thornton and the FuelAL program have been great experiences for me to branch out and meet new people, learn more about the city of Montgomery, and gain essential on-the-job experience that will benefit me in the near future and beyond.”
In addition to FuelAL, Sam and Blake participated in Jackson Thornton’s Take Your Talent Further Forum alongside DeJon Gibby ’26 and Daijah Scott ’26. Jackson Thornton’s forum allows college students to explore the field of public accounting. The forum included networking opportunities with Jackson Thornton employees, presentations on the firm’s history, values, and opportunities, as well as a skill-building activity with accounting majors from across the state of Alabama.
DeJon states, “Jackson Thornton’s Summer Leadership Program was an amazing opportunity to further expand my knowledge about the accounting field. This program helped me become more confident in my future as it relates to studying for the CPA exam.”
Daijah states, “I am an accounting major and will be graduating in 2026. My experience at the Take your Talent Further Jackson Thornton event was great. Everyone was nice and welcoming there. We learned more about different paths of public accounting, such as tax and audit. After that, we went to Montgomery Whitewater for our rafting session. This opportunity helped me strengthen my teamwork and communication skills. It also motivated me to get out of my comfort zone.”
Blake comments, “FuelAL has allowed me the opportunity to network with all kinds of people in the Montgomery area, and to experience different attractions in the Montgomery area. Interning at Jackson Thornton has given me a greater understanding of what working in corporate America looks like as well as the culture of a thriving accounting firm.”
Programs like FuelAL and Take Your Talent Further are invaluable to a college student’s experience and discerning a career path. Applying to and participating in leadership programs allows students to form connections, expand their resumes, develop professional skills and build overall confidence, which all lead to being a more marketable hire. Students are encouraged by the Huntingdon College Center for Career and Vocation (CCV) to find leadership programs and experiential learning opportunities to participate in before graduating from college. If students need assistance in their search, email ccv@hawks.huntingdon.edu.
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