About Pathways Forward

Pathways Forward is a signature initiative of the Department of Economics, Finance, and Quantitative Analysis (EFQA) designed to connect students with meaningful career opportunities and professional insights. Through events held each semester, the program brings accomplished industry speakers to campus to share their experiences, discuss emerging trends, and provide practical guidance on navigating diverse career pathways in business, economics, and related fields.

Emphasizing strong corporate engagement, Pathways Forward fosters direct connections between students and professionals across a wide range of industries. The initiative also incorporates experiential learning opportunities that allow students to engage more actively with speakers and real-world challenges, helping them translate academic knowledge into applied skills.

By creating a dynamic platform for dialogue, mentorship, and hands-on engagement, Pathways Forward supports EFQA’s commitment to preparing students for impactful and rewarding careers.

a woman speaks to KSU students


Speaker Events

Connecting students to careers through corporate engagement and real-world insight.

Pathways Forward provides direct access to industry speakers, hands-on experiences, and meaningful connections that support career exploration and professional growth.

Lunch and Learn

Ready to unlock the secrets of secured finance while enjoying Chick-fil-A with industry leaders?

When

Thursday, October 15
12:15 pm - 1:40pm

Where

Prillaman Plaza

Lunch Provided

Lunch by Chick-fil-A

Sign Up Here

Please fill out all the fields below to sign up.

Past Events

2026

  • April 9, 2026
    Ms. Beth Boatwright, Chief Financial Officer of the Shepherd Center

  • January 20, 2026
    Walter Pickell, Managing Director from Citizens Bank

2025

  • November 13, 2025
    Dave Robertson, Managing Director at CashPath Advisors

  • November 4, 2025
    Zach Morris, Managing Partner at Paces Ferry Wealth Advisors

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Contact Information

Pathways Forward is led by faculty within the Department of Economics, Finance, and Quantitative Analysis at Kennesaw State University. The initiative is directed by Thomas Garr, Lecturer of Economics; Roger Tutterow, Professor of Economics; and Aniruddha Bagchi, Chair of the Department of Economics, Finance and Quantitative Analysis and Professor of Economics.

Interested in our speaker series? Contact Thomas Garr at tgarr@kennesaw.edu