A four-part speaker series for all students
As you go through your educational journey, you’ll slowly begin to hear more mentions of networking–a vital skill that can help you turn your education into a long-lasting and fulfilling career. Throughout the 2025 academic year, the Virginia Western Educational Foundation and the Hall Associates Career Center will be presenting the Power of Networking, a four-part speaker series for students to learn the value of networking and how they can utilize these skills to advance their careers when they leave college. Each event is free and open to all students, regardless of where they may be in their academic journey.
The next event will be on November 12. New dates and speakers will be announced soon.
- Learn the value of networking in career development and professional advancement.
- Learn how to start and grow your own network.
- Learn how “who you know” can be more valuable than “what you know” when it comes to earning internship and career opportunities.
- Learn how Virginia Western and the Hall & Associates Career Center can provide resources and training to help you develop your networking skills.
- Lunch provided
Events
AI-Powered Networking: Build Your Career Roadmap
Presented by Dr. Samantha Steidle, director of Radford University’s AI Sandbox
When: November 12, 2025; 11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
Where: Hall Associates Career Center
A Personalized Guide for Ambitious College Students
Ready to level up your networking game? Discover how AI can help you create a strategic networking plan that actually fits YOUR career goals. Whether you’re hunting for internships, eyeing grad school, or seeking resume skills and experience, this workshop will show you how to use AI tools to research industries, find the right people to connect with, and build a roadmap for your career goals.
What You’ll Learn:
We’ll dive into four AI tools (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Boodlebox) to help you:
- Research companies, industries, and career paths that match your vibe
- Find professionals and alumni worth connecting with in your target field
- Discover opportunities that actually align with your goals (internships, jobs, grad schools)
- Build a networking strategy that doesn’t feel forced or fake
Bonus: All attendees will receive a GenAI LinkTree of tools, resources, and certifications.
Speaker Bio
Dr. Samantha Steidle
Director of Radford University’s AI Sandbox
Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Strategy
With over two decades of experience in entrepreneurship and innovation, Dr. Steidle has co-launched seven entrepreneurial spaces, including startup incubators, coworking hubs like CoLab, and accelerators like RAMP in partnership with Virginia Western Community College, where she served as Entrepreneurship Professor and Innovation Officer.
She has also worked with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), developing online courses available to 340+ colleges nationwide and leading research on addressing the opioid crisis through entrepreneurial approaches.
Dr. Steidle earned her Ph.D. in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University, where her dissertation explored how community colleges can address complex societal challenges through entrepreneurial initiatives. She has secured multiple grants, presented at national conferences, and advised states on strategic investment through the U.S. Treasury’s $10 billion State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).
Today, she helps students, educators, government, and entrepreneurs build skills, create opportunities, and drive innovation in their communities.
An Unlikely Success Journey of a First-Generation Engineering Professional
Presented by Virginia Western alum Samuel Hayes III, MPA, PE
When: September 29, 2025; 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Hall Associates Career Center
Speaker Bio
Samuel Hayes III, MPA, PE
Samuel Hayes III is currently Assistant Director for General Services at Chesterfield County where he has responsibility for Capital Project Management, Buildings and Grounds, Security Management and Energy/Sustainability management. He is also the founder and Managing Principal of Stratagem, a management consultancy firm that engages in assisting small and minority businesses to successfully contract with government, educational and private industry sectors. He was Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management and Chief Facilities Officer at William and Mary, with responsibility for all construction and maintenance activities at the University. Hayes has worked as Assistant Vice President at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and served as Director of the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity and Special Assistant to the Governor for Small, Women and Minority Business Development working under Governor Kaine and Governor McDonnell. In that role, he was the Chief Supplier Diversity Officer for the Commonwealth of Virginia and oversaw the greatest percentage utilization of small, women and minority owned business in number of procurements with the Commonwealth, in its history. Hayes has worked with the Virginia Department of Health, Roanoke Higher Education Authority, City of Roanoke, Richmond Metropolitan Authority, and the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Hayes was appointed by Governor Youngkin to the Library Board of Virginia in July 2024. He served on the Hub of Hope Board, a non-profit that focuses on feeding the food insecure in Fredericksburg Area and is a member of the Sydney Lewis School of Business Board of Advisors at Virginia Union University.