Hunt Business Launches New Professional Development Initiative in BUSN 1301

The Big Picture 

The Woody L. Hunt College of Business introduced a new experiential learning requirement for BUSN 1301 students: the Hunt Business Pathways, a five-part sequence embedded directly into the Introduction to Global Business course. 

Hunt Business Pathways are designed to build real career momentum early. By blending leadership training, digital literacy, résumé development, and industry-created microcredentials — all completed within a single semester. 

Why It Matters 

Professional readiness can no longer wait until junior or senior year.  

This pathway ensures every business student starts with the same core toolkit: Leadership development, community belonging, essential professional skills, and a polished personal brand. 

The intent is that by the end of the semester students walk away more confident, more connected, and more competitive in the market. 

“Professional readiness is a shared responsibility at UTEP. Providing students with the skills and knowledge to craft strong resumes, earn Microcredential certificates and discover their strengths gives them the tools and confidence to succeed,” said John Hadjimarcou, Ph.D., Rick and Ginger Francis Dean.   

Pathway Overview 

Students must complete five integrated elements designed to build career readiness from day one: 

• Career and Leadership Foundations 
  Students activate their Handshake profile and complete the Miners Leadership Initiative (MLI) by attending three leadership workshops, earning a digital microcredential and a signature orange UTEP pick pin. 

• Strengths Discovery 
  Through the StrengthsFinder assessment and an in-class workshop, students identify how they learn, collaborate, and lead — and reflect on applying those newly-identified strengths in real situations. 

• Campus Engagement 
  Students must join and participate in at least one UTEP student organization to help build community, find mentorship, and practice leadership and time-management skills outside the classroom. 

• Industry Microcredential 
  Students earn an industry-recognized microcredential such as Google Foundations of Project Management or IBM Introduction to AI, gaining practical, job-ready skills. 

• Professional Branding with AI 
  Using Microsoft Copilot, students build a polished professional bio and résumé while learning to use AI tools common in today’s workplace. 

Built Through Cross-Campus Collaboration 

Hunt Business Pathways was launched through close collaboration with partners across UTEP, reflecting a shared belief that leadership, digital literacy, and professional readiness are essential for student success. 

“We built career readiness directly into the curriculum,” said J. Rolando Nunez, Ed.D., Assistant Dean. “Our work with campus partners reinforces that these foundational skills matter for every student, regardless of major.” 

Cross-Campus Partners

UTEP Extended University
Microcredential Guidance Committee

Division of Student Affairs
Jaime Mendez, Ed.D.
Assistant Dean of Students

Elisa Espinosa Ortega
Director of Assessment and Planning

Student Engagement and Learning Center
Miles Cooper
Director of Student Engagement and Leadership Center

Rebecca Moreno
Coordinator - Leadership Development

UTEP Edge
Katalina Salas, Ph.D.
UTEP Edge Director

Sandy Salinas
Administrative Services Coordinator II

UTEP School of Pharmacy
Rafael Sánchez, PharmD
Clinical Assistant Professor Pharmacy

Hunt Business BUSN 1301 Faculty
Claudia Gomez, Ph.D.
Spencer Barnes, Ph.D.
Nicolas Cachanosky, Ph.D.
Bill Conwell
Heidi Aragon
J. Rolando Nuñez, Ed.D.

Student Feedback 

• “Hunt Business Pathways helped me find my strengths, build confidence, and connect what I’m learning to real-world career skills.” 
• “Once I learned my strengths, I started recognizing them in real situations — during group projects, presentations, and everyday challenges.” 
• “The biggest leadership lesson I learned is that leadership starts with knowing yourself.” 
• “You don’t need a title to lead — you just need to take action and help your team stay focused.” 
• “Everything is new as a first-year student, and this program helped make leadership feel achievable instead of intimidating.”