Building the Pipeline
Connecting Education and Industry
By Addison E. Paul
NOT FAR FROM the University of Southern Indiana campus, the AstraZeneca plant in Mount Vernon, Indiana, manufactures billions of lifechanging oral solid dose tablets for patients around the world. One of 28 international plants for the global biopharmaceutical company, this site supports economic growth for southwest Indiana.
As catalysts for regional development, the University and the company are both committed to shaping future leaders in biochemistry, engineering, management and more. Together, USI and AstraZeneca are building talent pipelines that carry students into new careers, fuel local industry and connect education to professional progress.
DEVELOPING PURPOSEFUL PARTNERSHIPS
The trusted relationship between AstraZeneca and USI represents a broad scope of educational and professional outreach. From USI-led professional development training to AstraZeneca-sponsored experiential learning opportunities, this evolving connection reinforces the combined power of industry and higher education.
As a liaison for business relationships, Holly Sanders, Human Resources Business Director for AstraZeneca, sees clear advantages in partnering with USI. She seeks USI students and graduates because they demonstrate strong critical thinking skills, personal accountability and genuine curiosity about science, patients and impact.
So, what does it take to develop the kind of trust that encourages a global company to work with the University time and time again? According to Paula Nurrenbern M'20, Director of Corporate Partnerships and Career Success in USI's Outreach and Engagement office, it takes personal connections and purposeful partnerships.
According to Paula Nurrenbern M'20, Director of Corporate Partnerships and Career Success in USI's Outreach and Engagement office, it takes personal connections and purposeful partnerships.
"When you're working with any kind of corporate partnership, it's all about the relationship you build with the client. You have to be very intentional."
- Paula Nurrenbern M'20
Partnering with nearly 100 entities annually, the Corporate Partnerships team facilitates relationships and programs to support USI's business connections, both within the region and across the nation. Nurrenbern connects businesses to over 50 USI training courses on subjects from interpersonal communication and project management to technical skills and computer software.
"What we do is customize the content to make sure we're addressing unique needs and helping people get the best professional development," she said. "They know they can trust us because we do it year after year."
Her team provides AstraZeneca with yearly training for new employees and broadens their access to educational development opportunities like master's degree programs and statistics courses.
"Expanding the partnership amplifies both talent development and community impact Together, we can co-create pathways that prepare students for high-value careers and ensure our teams have the skills needed to deliver for patients."
- Holly Sanders
SHAPING STEM STUDENTS
Student support is a cornerstone of many business relationships with USI, and in 2017, AstraZeneca approached the USI Foundation to start a scholarship program for students pursuing STEM fields. It's not just about monetary contributions, though; the scholarships offer a range of development through financial support, mentorship and career coaching.
"These scholarships are intended to see a student through their academic journey," said Taylor Gogel '13 M'19, USI Director of Development. "They support the same students throughout their education to ensure academic and professional growth as they plan career goals. Some of the previous recipients have gone on to be AstraZeneca employees."
Initially, AstraZeneca supported three students with these scholarships, but after hiring all three original recipients upon graduation, the company decided to expand the program to support four students annually.
Mount Vernon natives Alex (Goebel) Brauser '20 M'21, Lean Digital Data Analyst, and Raquel Denning '19, Asset Performance Management Senior Engineer, began their career journeys as USI students and two of the first AstraZeneca scholarship recipients. Pursuing degrees in mathematics as well as accounting and professional services, Brauser hadn't always imagined herself working in the pharmaceutical industry, but that changed after she learned more about AstraZeneca.
"The scholarship program sparked my interest in the pharmaceutical industry, and the following summer, I pursued an internship. Once I arrived on site, I saw the direct impact the work had on patients, which ultimately motivated me to build a career there."
- Alex (Goebel) Brauser '20 M'21
Now, both USI graduates are working for the company full time and continually strengthening AstraZeneca's partnership with the University as members of the AstraZeneca Mount Vernon Scholarship Committee.
"It's one of the things I'm most proud of," said Denning. "It's been an amazing community effort to invest in the future."
The scholarship program doesn't just provide the means to an end; it provides a whole network of potential. Applied learning experiences reinforce classroom knowledge, creating a pipeline that helps prepare students for the workforce.
"Having the unique perspective of both a former scholarship recipient and a current committee member is meaningful," said Brauser. "I'm excited to continue building and expanding this partnership for future students."
BUILDING BUSINESS CONNECTIONS
While student support is often a key goal of USI's business partnerships, the University also serves as a reliable resource for regional industry. Within the past five years, the Corporate Partnerships and Career Success team has helped connect over 1,000 students to internships at almost 570 businesses in the Tri-state. USI continually boosts the local workforce by preparing graduates to excel in their future careers.
As a company regularly represented at USI Career Fairs, AstraZeneca is one of the regional businesses looking to USI for prospective talent. The company's nationwide internship program helps students gain invaluable professional experience in a range of fields like pre- pharmacy and biochemistry, mechanical and industrial engineering, finance and business administration, and computer and data science.
As a scholarship recipient and former Reliability and Packing intern, Denning was able to apply the knowledge from her USI mechanical engineering degree to real challenges at AstraZeneca's manufacturing site. Her internship helped her develop a practical understanding of the company's mechanical engineering needs, which set her up for a full-time position and career success.
"I feel fortunate to be a part of AstraZeneca through USI. I'm grateful to be able to stay local and still be part of a global biopharmaceutical company."
- Raquel Denning '19
While student support is often a key goal of USI's business partnerships, the University also serves as a reliable resource for regional industry. Within the past five years, the Corporate Partnerships and Career Success team has helped connect over 1,000 students to internships at almost 570 businesses in the Tri-state. USI continually boosts the local workforce by preparing graduates to excel in their future careers.
As a company regularly represented at USI Career Fairs, AstraZeneca is one of the regional businesses looking to USI for prospective talent. The company's nationwide internship program helps students gain invaluable professional experience in a range of fields like pre- pharmacy and biochemistry, mechanical and industrial engineering, finance and business administration, and computer and data science.
Over the last five years, 14 USI students completed 20 internships at AstraZeneca, and several students stayed with the company for multiple semesters. Early career experiences like these not only lay the professional groundwork for individual students, they also build a stronger foundation for community impact.
"These programs were born from a desire to give back to the community while also helping build a strong local talent pipeline," said Keith Rawley '96 M'02, Senior Director of Digital Lighthouse and Operational Excellence for AstraZeneca. "As a proud alum of USI myself, I am thrilled to see this partnership grow."
STRENGTHENING RECIPROCAL RELATIONSHIPS
Whether it's professional development or student support, there's one thing that defines all of USI and AstraZeneca's partnerships: they're reciprocal. Mentoring future STEM leaders not only supports USI's academic mission; it also gives the company a direct connection when hiring skilled graduates from these programs.
With over 140 USI alumni currently working within the AstraZeneca network, the proof is in the professional pipeline. Logan Sullivan '20, Senior Continued Process Verification Analyst, recognized USI's natural relationship with AstraZeneca when he started at the company after graduating with his mathematics degree. After nearly six years with AstraZeneca, he's invested in helping that partnership evolve.
"The relationship is already good, but there's effort on both sides to advance it even further. We'll continue to push the boundaries of that partnership in positive ways."
- Logan Sullivan '20
Branching into outreach events like AstraZeneca Day at USI and sponsoring community STEM activities—like the FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Tournament and the Tri-State Science and Engineering Fair—AstraZeneca continues to shape STEM opportunities at USI. And as the company explores initiatives like externships and collaborative problem‑solving experiences, the future of this connection is full of potential.
"Both institutions share a global mindset and a strong commitment to making a positive difference in the community we call home. With these shared values and principles, I am confident our partnership will continue to thrive."
- Keith Rawley '96 M'02
Business partnerships are about more than a single interaction or opportunity. Through constant collaboration and exploration, USI builds lasting relationships that enhance educational experiences, support local industry and shape the future of the regional workforce. The University continues connecting education and industry, and whether established or emerging, USI is always adding partnerships to the pipeline.
FROM SOUTHERN INDIANA TO SWEDEN
Just two years after graduating from the University of Southern Indiana's Romain College of Business, Libby Fifer '24 is building an international career nearly 4,000 miles from home. In February, Fifer relocated to Stockholm, Sweden, to begin an eight-month assignment with AstraZeneca as Associate Regional Circularity Lead for the SweOps Region. In this role, she is rotating through multiple sites while supporting sustainability initiatives across Sweden, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, gaining firsthand experience in global operations.
And her journey began with a local internship. While still a USI student, she spent more than two years as a Learning and Development Intern with AstraZeneca. That experience led to a full-time role as an Operations Global Graduate Associate, where she served as a Lead Digital Project Manager, followed by a position in Global Inventory Management in Wilmington, Delaware, the company's North American Commercial Headquarters.
"Being an intern gave me a meaningful head start," said Fifer. "It allowed me to demonstrate my capabilities and understand how AstraZeneca operates."
Now settling into life in Sweden, she credits the Romain College of Business for preparing her to lead and adapt, not just as a student seeking early career opportunities, but as a global professional at AstraZeneca.
"That foundation keeps paying off. My responsibilities and impact continue to expand."
- Libby Fifer '24
