DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Sometimes people go to college with a career goal in mind, while others don't have a plan until they get there. At Bethune-Cookman University, there's a unique program that gives students a taste of a fast-moving career — literally.

It's called the NASCAR Campus Lab Program, a partnership between B-CU and NASCAR. The 12-week program teaches marketing, budgeting, putting on events and all the other aspects of the sport.

“I learned a lot, much more, about the sport, and it really drew me to it," said Jeff Philippe-Auguste, a recent graduate of the program.

After Philippe-Auguste graduated, he was brought in as a Daytona International Speedway intern. That led to him being hired full time. For the Daytona 500, he’s part of the Fan Experience Team, but he does just about everything.

“If there’s a flat tire somewhere, if there’s a loose screw somewhere, we’re there to tighten it up and make sure it’s running as smoothly as it needs to,” Philippe-Auguste said.

The Campus Lab Program has changed a lot of lives.

“It’s really transformational, and it brings me joy,” said Sherry Paramore, B-CU vice president of institutional advancement. “I’m an alum of Bethune-Cookman. I work here. This is something we worked on for years.”