NEWS

NEWBERRY, S.C. — Newberry College announced that Cayden Hansen, one of the top students in the college’s new Strategic Management (BUA 472) course, has been selected for a spring internship with Long Story Farms, an agricultural business serving Newberry County and the surrounding region.

This internship is the first outcome of a new experiential learning initiative within Newberry College’s Business Programs. The course, conceptualized by Dr. Steven McClung, chair of the Department of Business Administration, and taught by Dr. Carl R. Wells, is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world business challenges. Through the initiative, local companies partner with student teams who act as junior consultants, analyzing operations, identifying growth opportunities and developing strategic recommendations.

A New Kind of Classroom Experience

The Strategic Management course includes:

• Hands-on consulting projects with local businesses
• Data-driven strategic analysis, market research and competitive assessment
• Professional communication training, including client meetings, presentations and executive summaries
• Real-world problem-solving, with students working directly with business owners and leaders
• Career-building experiences, including internships, networking opportunities and resume-ready project work

This semester, students collaborated with Long Story Farms to evaluate marketing and brand exposure opportunities. Through this client partnership, students applied strategic frameworks, communication tactics and leadership skills to real business scenarios.

A Standout Student: Cayden Hansen

Among the cohort, Hansen emerged as one of the course’s most engaged and high-performing students. His strong performance, along with his interest in digital marketing and communications, led him to propose an internship supporting Long Story Farms’ need for a stronger social media presence.

His proposal outlined goals to:

• Create and manage engaging content highlighting farm operations
• Develop a consistent social media posting schedule
• Strengthen audience engagement and community connection
• Shape a digital strategy that reflects the values and mission of Long Story Farms

In his message to Long Story Farms, Hansen shared: “I believe Long Story Farms has a great story to share, and through a strong online presence, we can highlight your daily work, values and products to a broader audience… This internship would allow me to gain valuable experience in digital communication while providing Long Story Farms with dedicated support in building an active, professional and authentic online presence.”

A New Win-Win Partnership

Although not a long-standing partnership, the collaboration between Newberry College and Long Story Farms represents the future direction of the Business Programs: intentional, community-connected learning experiences.

“This course represents the new vision for business education at Newberry College — one that prioritizes applied learning, professional growth and meaningful community engagement,” said Wells. “Cayden’s internship shows how much our students can accomplish when given real responsibilities and real clients.”

About the Strategic Management Initiative

The course is part of a broader redesign of Newberry College’s Business Programs under McClung’s leadership, creating a curriculum focused on:

• Experiential learning
• Community-based partnerships
• Workforce readiness
• Innovation and entrepreneurship

Students graduate with stronger portfolios, greater confidence and practical experience suited for competitive internships and careers.

About Long Story Farms

Long Story Farms is a local agricultural business known for its fresh produce, sustainable farming practices and community involvement. Its collaboration with Newberry College reflects a shared commitment to supporting local talent and strengthening the region’s business ecosystem.

About Newberry College

Founded in 1856, Newberry College is dedicated to academic excellence, experiential learning and preparing students to lead and serve in a dynamic global environment. The Business Programs blend theory with practical application, equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge needed for professional success.