Celebrating 15 Years of ZIPD: Alumni, Students, and Opportunities That Change Lives

This year marked a major milestone for Bloomsburg’s Zeigler Institute for Professional Development (ZIPD) as the University celebrated the 15th anniversary of the annual ZIPD Conference—an event that has grown into one of the most transformational professional development experiences for students across the Commonwealth University system.

What began as a vision to connect students with real-world guidance has evolved into a powerful tradition of alumni engagement, mentoring, and hands-on learning. From the moment the conference opened, the excitement was unmistakable. Students arrived ready to learn, network, and take the first steps toward their future careers. Alumni—many of whom return year after year—shared their pride in seeing how the program has grown and how prepared today’s students are.

For participants like Ronn Cort '22H, this year’s keynote speaker, the evolution of ZIPD has been remarkable. “After you graduate, nobody hands you a syllabus,” he told students. His own journey with ZIPD began simply—an invitation to guest-present. That led to panel opportunities, deeper involvement, and ultimately a commitment to invest in future leaders. “I remember leaving that first conference thinking, This is something I’ve never seen before. These students are future employees, future leaders.”

Students echoed that sentiment throughout the day. Senior Lexi Urbassik '26 shared how ZIPD has helped her grow professionally through panel opportunities and multiple conference experiences. Sophomore students attending the Women in Business panel described the value of hearing directly from professionals working in the field. Other students spoke about meaningful career leads, confidence-building conversations, and networking moments that gave them a clearer sense of what’s possible after graduation.

This year’s conference also included new celebrations, including recognition for alumni “champions” who have supported ZIPD for more than seven years. Their dedication helps ensure ZIPD remains a signature experience that strengthens student success and deepens professional connections across generations.

At its core, ZIPD’s mission remains unchanged: to prepare students not just for their first job, but for their lives as confident, capable professionals. This year’s milestone is a testament to the students who show up eager to learn, the alumni who invest their time and expertise, and the community of supporters who help the program grow.

You can experience highlights from this special anniversary celebration by watching the video below.