NSU Horizons Fall 2017

48 NSU HORIZONS Nova Southeastern University scored a touchdown during Fins Football’s inaugural year. Kicking off in 2016–2017, the innova- tive partnership between NSU and the Miami Dolphins provides free tickets to all home games during the Dolphins’ pre- season and regular season to NSU under- graduate, graduate, and professional students. On game day, students meet for tailgate celebrations at NSU’s Shark Village tent at Hard Rock Stadium for food, games, and photos with NSU’s mascot, Razor, and Dolphins cheerleaders. In addition to the digital ads and in-stadium promotions NSU now enjoys at all Dolphins home games—and the fact that NSU is now featured on every page of the Dolphins website—TV Fins Football Each work day brought new experi- ences. “I wouldn’t say I had a normal day,” Barrios said. “I didn’t have one specific task. It was really about getting ready and being prepared for any event and any challenge. There are always things going on in the stadium. It was different every single day.” Towriss worked at the Dolphins Cancer Challenge/Miami Dolphins Foundation, where she used her skills in website design and assisted in raising funds and sponsorships. “The greatest experience was talking to cancer survivors and the doctors and seeing how big of an impact the Dolphins Foundation has on the patients and their families,” Towriss said. “Working for a nonprofit brings a lot of meaning to your work.” Towriss and Barrios interacted with staff members from different depart- ments to receive a broader view of the Dolphins’ operations. They met and dined with Dolphins executives, including chief executive officer Tom Garfinkel. They watched the players practice, attended training camp, and had a lunch with the rookies. The interns also worked together on group projects to demonstrate new ways to generate revenue. They pre- sented their work to management. “During that project, we interacted with every department there—opera- tions, finance, law,” Towriss said. “We talked to a lot of senior staff. The best part about the internship was that we weren’t confined to one area or one path. The Dolphins gave us opportuni- ties for exposure to different things. The internship gave us a good idea of how the organization works.” Both NSU students impressed the Dolphins officials. “Stephanie has been one of the top interns,” said Hayle Krigel, luxury manager at the Dol- phins’ Guest Experience Department and Barrios’ supervisor. “Throughout Stephanie’s internship, she learned how to provide our guests with a University students are ready for a Dolphins game; but first, a selfie with NSU’s Razor. continued from previous page