For Angelique Jones '26, the University of Hartford has always been more than a campus; it's the place where her professional journey began and where it has now come full circle.
Today, Jones serves as field marketing manager for University of Hartford Dining Services with Aramark, helping shape the daily student experience she once enjoyed. But her path back to campus began as a marketing student at the Barney School of Business, where hands-on learning, mentorship, and campus involvement prepared her for a career in marketing.
Jones was drawn to the Barney School of Business because of its strong balance between academic learning and real-world experience. The program's internship requirement and emphasis on professional development stood out immediately. "I was looking for a program that would challenge me academically while also preparing me for practical business environments," Jones said. "Barney's supportive community, small class sizes, and faculty with real industry experience made it the perfect fit."
During her time at UHart, Jones immersed herself in opportunities that shaped both her professional and personal growth. One of her earliest experiences was working with Celia Lofink, former assistant dean and clinical professor of management, to organize a small business crawl on Pratt Street that highlighted minority- and women-owned businesses. The event introduced her to the fundamentals of event planning, collaboration, and professional communication.
Jones also received the Stanley Black & Decker Be a Force for Good Scholarship, where she gained valuable leadership training and insight into the corporate world through workshops and mentorship.
Jones’s involvement with the American Marketing Association chapter at UHart, under the guidance of Associate Professor of Marketing Carmina Cavasos, broadened her understanding of the many career paths available to marketing majors and taught her the importance of managing multiple commitments. Another highlight was studying abroad in Northern Spain with Associate Professor of Management Daphne Berry, where she explored international business practices and learned about the region's cooperative business model.
Professionally, Jones gained early industry experience as a marketing intern with UHart Dining, where she applied concepts from courses such as Marketing Research, Digital Marketing Analytics, and Consumer Behavior in a real-world setting. She later expanded her experience as a marketing lead for the Office of Student Engagement and Inclusion, working with Fallon Roberson-Roby to promote student initiatives and organizations across campus.
Outside the classroom, Jones found balance through the arts as a member of both the University of Hartford Dance Team and the Fenomena Hip Hop Dance Team.
After graduating, Jones returned to the University of Hartford in a professional role, this time supporting the student experience from behind the scenes. "Coming back to the University felt like a true full-circle moment," she said. "It's meaningful to return to the place that shaped my academic and professional journey and now support the next generation of students the same way I was supported."
Working in dining services has given Jones a new perspective on campus life. While students experience dining spaces daily, she now sees the planning, collaboration, and care required to create a welcoming environment.
In her role with Aramark, Jones focuses on marketing initiatives that make dining spaces more engaging while ensuring students understand their meal plan options and feel supported in their dietary needs. She is currently collaborating with the Student Government Association's student affairs chair, Princess Baffour, to launch a Dining Board of Directors, a student-centered committee designed to gather feedback and continuously improve the dining experience on campus. The initiative will allow students to actively shape how dining services evolve while creating a direct channel for their voices to be heard.
Looking back, Jones says one of the biggest lessons she took from the Barney School of Business is to stay competent, confident, and connected. "It's about staying engaged with your community, knowing what you bring to the table, and being willing to go the extra mile to become the expert when no one else will," she says.
For current students interested in marketing or brand management, Jones encourages them to get involved early and often. "Join organizations, pursue internships, and take advantage of opportunities across campus," she emphasizes.
Her advice to students is simple: don't be afraid to show up. "If you're nervous about attending a networking event, go anyway," she said. "Go scared. The relationships you build can open doors and become some of the most valuable parts of your career."
One of Jones's favorite memories perfectly captures her time at UHart. In a single day, she was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, headed to her internship with UHart Dining, and later performed in a dance showcase with the University of Hartford Dance Team. "That day really represents my college experience," she said. "Balancing academics, professional growth, and staying connected to the things I love."
Now back on campus in a professional role, Jones continues to build on that experience, helping create an engaging campus environment for the very students who are beginning their own journeys at UHart.