A group of students from the UC Irvine Merage School of Business recently visited Irvine Company and Fashion Island in Newport Beach for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Southern California’s iconic retail centers.  

Held in September, the immersive corporate visit included 40 MBA students and featured presentations from key leaders at the company’s offices on Newport Center Drive. Steve Greyshock, vice president of public affairs, provided an overview of the company and its historic connections to the university, while Jessica Shew, senior director of talent acquisition, shared valuable human resources and recruiting insights. Valerie Robles, director of marketing for Fashion Island, concluded the speaker panel with a focused discussion on retail marketing.

Following the corporate presentations, the students walked to Fashion Island. The excursion included a store tour hosted by the general manager of Varley, the shopping center’s newest retailer. The event wrapped up with a boxed lunch courtesy of Fashion Island restaurant Sessions and a photo at Sietz Park.

“Our UC Irvine Merage School MBA students got a master class in what it takes to drive long-term economic growth and regional development from the visit to Irvine Company,” says Cynthia Rude, executive director of the Merage School Career Center, which helped organize the event. “The students learned about the company’s approach to building community, preserving green spaces and imagining what future communities need to thrive. It’s easy to see why these future business leaders were captivated by the presentations.”

The visit was part of UC Irvine Merage School of Business inaugural Fall OC Trek, an innovative multiday program designed to provide future business professionals a firsthand look at innovative, industry-leading organizations shaping the local Orange County market.