Sophomore business students build leadership and teamwork with Heavener Second Year Experience

Heavener Second Year Experience (HSYE) is more than a one-day retreat; it’s an opportunity for sophomore students to be part of a team, build their personal brand and discover their strengths as leaders. 

HSYE was founded four years ago from the question: “How can we get more students to engage with Warrington?” After detailed analysis by Heavener assistant dean and director Erica Studer-Byrnes and program coordinator Caleb Chambliss, they determined that sophomores and transfer students were the target students for this organization. With a focus on helping students grow, connect with their peers and evolve into business professionals, they began constructing the HSYE from the ground up. Four years later, the program is now spearheaded by program director and adviser Ashton DeMarse. 

“HSYE creates a space for students who may feel unsure about their involvement or career direction early in college,” Stella De Luna (BSBA ‘26, MS Marketing ‘26), director of external engagement, said. “Through immersive retreats, mentorship and experiential learning, students are able to explore different career paths while building confidence and leadership skills. The program also fosters a strong sense of community, allowing students to connect with driven peers and feel supported throughout their journey at Warrington.”

The HSYE extends the vision and mission to build business-ready Gators and deliver competency-driven programming through experiential learning. The program is accessible to all second-year students and asks students to simply attend and learn, with no additional requirements or strings attached. 

The HSYE also provides junior and senior students with the opportunity to engage and continue building their leadership skills as captains and directors. 

Last semester, the HSYE took participating students to Emerson Alumni Hall and Universal Studios, where students could hear from successful alumni, explore career opportunities and build a strong community within the Warrington sophomore class.

This semester, the HSYE will take students to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and CitiBank’s Tampa campus on February 14 and 27, respectively. These retreats will emphasize networking opportunities, hands-on discussions and insight from industry professionals. 

“HSYE is something that can truly change not only your career path but also your college experience,” Grace Heilman (BSBA ‘26), director of recruitment, said. “It did for me, and I am incredibly grateful for my time at UF and, specifically, with HSYE.”