Avondale University Business School is celebrating strong student outcomes following the launch of its first Stukent Simternship pilot—an industry-leading marketing simulation that is already influencing the future direction of its programs, including a new Entrepreneurship Minor set to roll out next year.
Delivered within the Marketing major, the Stukent Simternship allows students to test their skills in a realistic, market-driven environment. Working with digital campaigns, budgets, audiences and strategy, they make decisions as if they were in a professional marketing role. The globally recognised platform is known for building strategic leadership, deepening engagement and giving graduates a competitive edge.
Two marketing classes at Avondale participated in this year’s pilot and achieved outstanding results. Students who placed in the top three across each cohort were formally recognised with certificates acknowledging their high performance. The awards highlight students’ proficiency in integrated marketing communications, data-driven decision-making and strategic problem-solving—core capabilities the Business School has been strengthening through experiential learning.
The pilot was facilitated by Marketing Strand Convenor Jacqueline Calvo, whose innovative teaching approach continues to elevate Avondale’s national standing. The Avondale Business School is currently ranked No. 1 in Australia for Overall Educational Experience, No. 2 for Peer Engagement and No. 3 for Teaching Quality, Engagement and Learning Resources, out of 42 universities offering undergraduate Business and Management.
Calvo’s leadership will next be channelled into developing the first unit of Avondale’s new Entrepreneurship Minor for the Bachelor of Business. Designed for current students as well as professionals seeking targeted upskilling, the unit will also be offered as a stand-alone microcredential, open to business founders, side-hustlers, high school teachers, emerging entrepreneurs and community members wanting to build innovation capability or strengthen their professional practice.
"Our goal is to graduate industry-ready marketers who are ready to contribute from day one," said Jacqueline Calvo. “Initiatives like the Stukent Simternship and our new Entrepreneurship Minor empower students to test ideas, analyse markets, and make data-informed decisions in safe but realistic environments. This kind of experiential learning bridges the gap between classroom knowledge and workplace capability to nurture confident, job-ready, and strategically minded graduates that can lead with purpose and integrity."
Set to launch next year, the Entrepreneurship Minor will support future founders to ideate, shape, launch and grow ventures using sustainable, purpose-driven and values-led frameworks—further strengthening Avondale’s commitment to preparing graduates for dynamic, socially responsible careers.