December 17, 2018
Award will support community outreach and educational programming
Hackettstown, N.J., December 17, 2018 — Centenary University has been awarded a $4,000 grant from Enterprise Holdings as part of a long-standing partnership. This grant will allow the university to continue supporting community outreach efforts and educational programming that will drive diversity and inclusion. It will also help update the school’s career development software, which is used to connect students and alumni with hiring managers around the country.
For over 15 years, Enterprise has helped build and enhance Centenary students’ professional skills. The firm is currently the largest employer of Centenary University interns, according to the university’s director of career development, Joshua Walker. He pointed to the grant as an important conduit for students to find rewarding internships and full-time jobs after graduation. “On my very first day on the job in 2014, my first task was recruiting for on-campus interviews for Enterprise intern positions,” Walker said. “I’m proud to have as many students as we do enter the workforce with Enterprise.”
Jennifer Santiago, talent acquisition manager at Enterprise, has worked with Centenary her entire time with the company, and is inspired by the efforts of this relationship. “We’ve hired over 40 Centenary students into our company just in the tri-state area. Some have advanced and are currently running branches, while others have moved on to other divisions, such as our car sales team and fleet management,” said Santiago. “I personally love continuing to explore creative and impactful ways to help the students succeed and possibly help them earn the chance to be on the Enterprise team.”
Centenary University offers a comprehensive career development program, focusing on holistic student growth. Ninety-seven percent of Centenary graduates—compared to a national rate of 69 percent—have jobs or attended graduate school a year after graduation. Enterprise currently employs more Centenary interns than any other company.
About Joshua Walker
Joshua Walker is Centenary University’s Director of Career Development. He holds an MBA and bachelor’s degree in history from Centenary University. His career in higher education has given him the opportunity to inspire, and be inspired by, an incredible number of students and alumni.
About Jennifer Santiago
Jennifer Santiago is a talent acquisition manager at Enterprise Holdings. She holds a bachelor’s degree in hotel restaurant tourism management from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. Santiago has proven success in managing Enterprise’s full recruitment life cycle to develop business growth.
About Centenary University
Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary University’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix provides an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world. The University’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township. The Centenary University School of Professional Studies offers degree programs at two locations, Parsippany and Edison, as well as online and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.
About the Enterprise Holdings Foundation
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Enterprise Holdings Inc., which, through its integrated global network of regional subsidiaries and independent franchises, operates the Enterprise Rent-A- Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands.
Started in 1982 by the company’s founder Jack Taylor, the Foundation was established to allow the company to give back to the communities where its customers and employees live and work.