It’s Greek Week on the Westminster campus….a week full of activities that stand out as a core memory of Mother Fair for 2017 Media Art + Design major Jackie Schultz. The Pennsylvania native now lives, works and thrives in the sunshine state as a graphic designer and brand manager. The fulfilling experience personally and professionally that Westminster provided to her is one of the reasons Schultz now volunteers her time to give back to WC as the regional representative in Florida, helping other WC alumni find their way in and around Orlando!

Can you tell us about your career path since graduating from Westminster?

During my last semester at WC, I decided to apply for the Disney College Program. Working for Disney in some capacity was a dream of mine, so I felt like that was the moment to try! I graduated in May of 2017 knowing I'd be moving to Florida in a couple of months. I spent a bit over 6 months working on the College Program as a PhotoPass photographer; it still takes the cake as one of the most fun things I've done. 

When my time with the Disney program ended, I still wasn't sure where my next move would be. I ended up back in my hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania, for a few months, and landed on moving to Raleigh, North Carolina, with a friend who was starting a job there.  I took a leap and went with her without having secured a job or a real plan – but she took a chance on me, and I landed a position in marketing for a country club in Chapel Hill. I had a great experience at work, getting to know the membership, working on internal events and communications, and exploring North Carolina! However, I still felt a call to give my career another shot in Orlando, Florida – so I packed up and moved back to Orlando in January of 2020. Perfect timing, right? I found my current role at Heart of Florida United Way, pivoting 180 degrees into the nonprofit world, and within a few weeks, I was sent to work from home during the pandemic. Five years later, I still call Orlando home, and have spent the time growing my graphic design and marketing skill set with United Way as the graphic design and brand manager. I get to touch a lot of different areas of the UW organization, and getting to know my community through the lens of the great work being done to support residents has been invaluable.

You and two other WC alums submitted photos together for Wear Westminster Day 2025. Can you tell us about your friends and the connection/interaction you still have with your WC classmates?

Between sorority sisters and friends I made in class and work study, I’m thankful so many WC friends are still in my close circle. Chris Israel ’17 and Emily Bondi ’19 (pictured, from the Wear Westminster Day photo) come to visit me in Orlando at least once a year, and we've made our way to Georgia and a few other fun spots to catch up and support one another. Since Orlando is a top vacation destination, I love getting to see anyone who happens to be here for a trip – it makes being far away from where I grew up a lot easier. I have great relationships with my Sigma Kappa big and little and a really solid handful of friends who always check in, even if we don't see each other often. My WC friends are people that I know will always support me and cheer me on, and I hope they know I'm so happy to get to do that for them in return.

How did your experience and education at Mother Fair prepare you for life after New Wilmington?

I don't think I would be who I am today without the people I met at Westminster. They've become lifelong confidants and I can't imagine life going a different way. I also think I learned a lot about how to put my whole self into the things I wanted for myself - I was in the Media Art and Design program, and it underwent a lot of change during my time at WC. I think being a part of the major for that period was really formative for me, because I learned how to fully appreciate everything I was learning very early into my major and was determined to have the experience I needed. The organization I work for now is on the smaller side, and I think I learned how to lean into that size of company from going to a smaller school with smaller class sizes – I lead with friendship first at work, and I think I do that because I know how important relationships are, especially in a smaller group of people.

Did you have any memorable moments and/or professors during your time at WC?

How do I pick?! I had so many professors who made an impact on me. Kandice Hartner was a great mentor and put so much effort into preparing me for my capstone and life after graduation my senior year. I also loved the English department – I took so many English classes, and they always felt like an escape for me. Getting to escape from the busy nature of campus and all of its activities into a book that I knew my professor would talk about and blow my mind with the next week was always a highlight of my semesters. 

Greek Week will always stand out as a core memory for me; I don't think I'll ever forget the buzz I felt that week from the constant flow of activities and the early spring weather. Winning Sing ‘n Swing will probably always be an accomplishment I brag about - I've shown so many of my friends all of those videos on YouTube!

As a regional representative for WC in the Orlando area, what’s one thing you love most about your area?

I love how much there is to do in Orlando as a local. While I'm definitely a theme park person, there is so much more to do here beyond the main tourist attractions! There is a great food scene, we have so many great outdoor spaces to enjoy (natural springs, state parks, gardens, beaches nearby), and there's a real passion for supporting local businesses. I can safely say I never run out of things to do here!

What fills your time when you’re not working?

I spend my time trying local restaurants, visiting the theme parks as an annual passholder, and leaning into creative hobbies that get me off of my computer! I also try to get outside as often as I can, whether it's heading over to the coast, hitting the pool, or playing a little pickleball! 

Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn or follow her adventures in Orlando on Instagram. 

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