Brittany Jones
PR & Marketing Manager
Fairfax City Economic Development
+1 (571) 459-8626
Brittany.Jones@fairfaxcityecondev.org
FAIRFAX CITY, VA, JAN. 22, 2025 – Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED) and John Cabot University (JCU) have announced a new partnership aimed at advancing economic collaboration between Italian businesses and Fairfax City, Virginia. The partnership introduces the inaugural International Business Fellowship, a program that will allow three selected JCU students to engage in meaningful, hands-on work to promote Fairfax City as an ideal destination for Italian businesses seeking expansion into the United States market.
This collaboration underscores the shared vision of both institutions to foster global connections and economic innovation. The program equips JCU students with practical experience in research, client engagement, and portfolio development, preparing them for careers in American business, government, and economic development. For FCED, the partnership enhances its international reach, opening doors for Italian businesses to explore opportunities in Fairfax City.
About the Fellowship
The fellowship provides an opportunity for selected JCU students to engage in a four-month program focused on:
The fellows’ work will culminate in a visit to Fairfax City in May 2025, where they will present their findings and strategic plan to key stakeholders, including city officials, the Fairfax City Economic Development Authority, and local business leaders. The week-long immersive experience will also include networking opportunities, business site visits, and cultural exchanges, showcasing the benefits of establishing a presence in Fairfax City.
Meet the Fellows
The three selected students who will participate in this pioneering fellowship are:
These students were chosen based on their strong academic performance, demonstrated interest in international business, and their potential to contribute to the success of the project. They will begin their work immediately on their proposed strategic marketing plan.
About Fairfax City Economic Development
Fairfax City Economic Development is a collaboration between the Fairfax City Economic Development Department and the Fairfax City Economic Development Authority, an independent agency administered by a commission appointed by the City Council to promote economic development activity within Fairfax. Fairfax City Economic Development helps attract businesses to the city, encourages and develops programs that foster connections between businesses, residents, and visitors of Fairfax City, and spearheads innovative programs and strategies devoted to positioning Fairfax City as an ideal location to start, grow, and scale a business. It is a founding member of the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance. Learn more at gofairfaxcity.com.
About John Cabot University
John Cabot University is an American institution of higher education in Rome, Italy. The mission of the University is to provide an educational experience firmly rooted in the American tradition of the liberal arts and solidly international in orientation. The academic programs are designed to use to the fullest extent the special resources of a multicultural faculty, an international student body and the extraordinarily rich culture and history of Rome and the surrounding region. In support of its mission, the University commits to: develop within all students the skills and the learning habits that will make it possible for them to educate themselves throughout their lives; enable students to appreciate, benefit from and contribute to the richness and diversity of other cultures; encourage leaders who will accept responsibility and make positive contributions to an increasingly interdependent and multicultural world; create an academic community composed of full-time, four-year matriculating students and visiting students that fosters intellectual tolerance, freedom and integrity.
