Chapman University Recognizes Top Employers for 2026 Organizations in leading industries continue to hire Chapman graduates, citing strong preparation and real-world experience

Chapman graduates are stepping into careers in entertainment, healthcare, financial services, marketing, and more — and many begin before they even receive their diplomas.

Employers including The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal, Deloitte, DirecTV, Goldman Sachs, and CalOptima Health continue to recruit Panthers, a commitment recognized by President Matt Parlow during the 2026 State of the University.

“These are employers who hire our students for internships and for jobs, who really ‘think Chapman first,’ recruiting and retaining talent from our student and alumni base,” Parlow said at the Feb. 27 event held at the Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Center for the Arts. “They know the kind of education our students get here, they know the kind of skills and work ethic they have, and they come back year after year to hire our graduates.”

The annual Top Employers award, established in 2019, recognizes 100 of Chapman’s most engaged employer partners. They are honored during the State of the University and invited to a thank-you luncheon. This year’s employers either hired a significant number of Chapman students and alumni or remained closely involved in recruiting throughout 2025.

Chapman’s Top Employers for 2026 represent a wide range of industries that consistently look to the university for new talent. For members of the Class of 2024, that included opportunities with major studios such as Warner Bros. Discovery, DreamWorks, and Sony; professional organizations like the National Football League; global consulting firms including PwC and Deloitte; and financial institutions such as J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs.

These organizations return to Chapman year after year, drawn by students who arrive well prepared and ready to grow.

“Our students receive a highly personalized education. We know them by name and are invested in their career goals,” said Jennifer Kim, associate vice president of Career and Professional Development. “And we equip students with experiential learning opportunities — whether that’s research with faculty and industry leaders, internships, practicums, or meaningful on-campus jobs.”

Employers say that emphasis on career readiness translates directly into workplace performance.

“As an alum, I am extremely proud of the strong yet constantly evolving relationship between Chapman and Deloitte,” said Bryan Luciano ’14, audit and assurance senior manager at Deloitte, a global professional services firm. “Chapman continues to provide its students with invaluable experiences and education, which, without a doubt, paves a path toward success for all Chapman students.”

Luciano’s perspective reflects a full-circle partnership — one in which alumni build their own careers and help create opportunities for the next generation of Panthers.

That sense of partnership extends beyond alumni connections. Employers consistently point to Chapman’s Office of Career and Professional Development as a key reason they return to campus.

“We value our relationship with Chapman and its outstanding Office of Career and Professional Development,” said Kim Donovan, senior partner of talent acquisition programs at DirecTV, one of the largest multi-channel video programming distributors in the United States. “Their engagement, responsiveness and dedication to students, paired with the exceptional talent of Chapman students, have created meaningful experiences that benefit both our organization and emerging professionals.”

In healthcare, proximity and shared purpose also strengthen employer ties. CalOptima Health, headquartered in Orange, continues to deepen its connection with the university through internships and full-time hiring.

“CalOptima Health is fortunate to be located near Chapman University, and more importantly, we share a strong commitment to community service and innovation in the health care professions,” said Yunkyung Kim, chief operating officer of CalOptima Health, which offers health insurance to low-income children, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities countywide. “We are pleased to have Chapman alumni among our leaders and staff, and we are now working with Chapman students in our growing internship program. It’s a great partnership that builds a healthier Orange County.”

In the financial services sector, employers say Chapman graduates arrive prepared to make an immediate impact.

“We’re proud of the strong relationship we’ve built and the continued success we’re seeing in attracting high-performing talent to our firm,” said Rick Lowe, managing director of executive financial counseling at Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment banking, securities, and asset and wealth management firm. “The students coming from Chapman arrive ready to contribute, grow and lead. It’s clear that when we align on development and opportunity, everyone benefits — especially our clients.”

Together, these partnerships reflect Chapman’s ongoing focus on preparing students to enter the workforce and add value once they arrive.

That preparation is visible in graduates like Avery Grant ’25, now a public relations associate at The Walt Disney Company.

“Chapman gave me both the confidence and the experience to step into a creative, collaborative role at Disney,” Grant said. “Through leadership positions, coursework and on-campus involvement, I learned how to communicate clearly, manage moving pieces and bring ideas to life — skills that continue to shape my work today.”