Muskingum News

Three Muskingum alumni who serve as sports administrators at The Ohio State University hosted more than 30 Muskingum University students for a career development visit, the first event in the new Trips & Tours program offered by Muskingum’s Impact Center.

Ohio State’s Assistant Athletic Director for Ticketing Justin Doyle ’97, Director of Camps and Clinics Paul Benedict ’05, and Associate Athletic Director for Compliance Justin Kume ‘06 provided the Muskies with behind the scenes looks at the Covelli Center, Schumaker Complex, Ohio Stadium, Schottenstein Center, and the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. During lunch at the Schottenstein Center, the three alumni hosts shared their Muskingum and career journeys with the students.

Students majoring in Sport Administration and Sports Communication were the majority of the group, with Accounting, Business, Economics, Exercise Science, Health and Fitness, Marketing, and Psychology majors also represented.

Justin Doyle has served The Ohio State University for 26 years. A communications major at Muskingum, he was involved in WMCO and was a varsity tennis athlete. Post-graduation volunteer work and an internship created the networking connections that led to his initial job offer from Ohio State. “I was happy to organize the visit by current Muskies,” he said. “Our goal was to open their eyes to the multiple possibilities for careers in collegiate athletics. The students asked such great questions and were very engaged in what they were learning throughout the day.”

Jaci Stask ’25 is a Health and Fitness major, a member of the Track and Field Team, and active in multiple student organizations including BSU and Outdoor Initiative. “The trip was an amazing experience,” she reflected. “I loved seeing how things are done on a different type of campus from ours. What I enjoyed the most was talking with the alumni. They shared life-changing messages and what I heard from them encouraged me to never give up on my dreams,” she said. “I learned that you have to put yourself out there to be successful and if at first you do not succeed, then keep trying.”

Muskingum Director of Career Services Jackie Kent Vascura ’96 organized the trip and accompanied the students, along with Assistant Athletic Director and Assistant Professor of Sports Communication Tom Caudill ’05G and Director of Alumni Engagement Dani Crown Jadwin ’15. “Through Trips & Tours, we want to expose students to different industries, regions, and types of environments,” Jackie said. “The Ohio State University trip offered career ideas and insights into Division I athletics in an urban institution.”

“Trips & Tours is designed for immersive career exploration and industry-focused learning,” commented Executive Director of the Impact Center Molly Dunn. “The Impact Center is an important distinctive for Muskingum, as we expand career development programming, facilitate connections for placement, support experiential learning in all disciplines, and increase the University’s visibility in the region. The Impact Center regularly facilitates networking events that connect students to alumni and other regional professionals to build professional skills, a professional network, and social capital.”

“We invited interested alumni and regional professionals to get involved with the Impact Center,” Molly said. “We welcome your suggestions for Trips & Tours opportunities and your participation in other upcoming Impact Center events. Visit us on the web or email us at impactcenter@muskingum.edu.”