Joel Sellentine, CAS ’06, was feeling lost. As a college student, Sellentine transferred universities to pursue one degree, then declared a different major. Unsure of his career path, he worked as a bartender before landing an entry-level job at a large company. For more than a decade, Sellentine worked his way up through different jobs, only to learn his heart wasn’t in them. But unbeknownst to him, each of these obstacles would help light the way to not only finding his own path but also in guiding others through their own journeys. 

Winding Journey

Sellentine transferred to Oakland University in 1998 from the University of Detroit Mercy, after realizing his “friends were getting a stronger, more engaging education [at OU]” — but it was the culture of the cross-county team that sealed the deal for him. “It was about more than competition,” Sellentine explains of his decision to join the team. “It was about character, discipline and community.”

This athletic community played a pivotal role in shaping Sellentine’s mindset, not only about school but about life. It was an experience that instilled confidence, and with mentorship from his coach, Paul Rice, Sellentine started to find his footing along the cross-country course. 

“Paul’s leadership and belief in his athletes have stayed with me long after graduation,” Sellentine says.

“The experience of being a collegiate [high-level] student-athlete is truly something that shapes people in many ways,” explains Rice, head coach of OU’s cross-country/track and field. “The tests of sacrifice and self discipline. The selflessness required being on a team, and knowing others depend on you … These things and many others were part of Joel’s journey as an athlete in our cross-country program here at Oakland, and those things all helped shape him along the way.”

Sellentine was not as confident in his degree choice, however. Coming to OU to pursue a teaching degree, he started spending more time in schools through the teaching program and volunteering with AmeriCorps. As rewarding as these experiences were, he found it was not the right career for him. “I realized I can’t do this. This is not my path,” he says.

With nearly an equal amount of math and English credits under his belt, Sellentine flipped the proverbial coin and changed his major to English. He spent his time at OU as a commuter student, hanging with friends in the Oakland Center, running as co-captain in cross-country and indoor track and field, attending English classes, and returning to his parents’ home in Oxford. 

“Those experiences taught me the importance of service, mentorship and leading by example,” reflects Sellentine. “They shaped how I run my business and live my life today.”

In 2001, Sellentine left OU to begin a career in sales and marketing with Entertainment Promotions. Working his way up through the company, he began to discover more about his strengths and weaknesses in business, leaning into and building up his expertise in the avenues that interested him. After several years at Entertainment Promotions, Sellentine found he was missing one credit to complete his degree and returned to OU in 2006 to obtain his bachelor’s in English.

“I had a great career with Entertainment Promotions, but before that, I was really lost,” Sellentine says. “I kept thinking, ‘What if I get a job and I’m not good at it?’ But this position showed up, and they hired me. They taught me how to manage and lead.”

As Sellentine advanced in the company, he eventually found that he needed a change. Seeking a new challenge where he could grow his skills, he worked as a consultant before taking a position with Traveling Teams, a sports housing company. And while he continued to expand his knowledge, he was, more importantly, discovering what he did not want for his career. So he decided to embark on a new venture.

“Joel has always been a ‘Dream big, and don’t be afraid to chase those dreams’ kind of guy,” Rice says about watching Sellentine grow throughout the years. “[He] has done an amazing job of doing just that throughout his professional and personal life.”

With a piqued interest in internet marketing and technology — and support from his wife and fellow alum, Kara Coraci Sellentine, CAS ’05 — Sellentine started a marketing agency in 2017. “I thought if I could just help one business manage growth and earn money that way, then maybe I could get another one,” he says. Nine years later, KARMA jack Digital Marketing Agency has worked with more than 500 businesses (3,000+ locations last year alone) and is continuing to expand its reach.

Based in Ferndale, Michigan, KARMA jack is a full-service marketing agency that helps businesses manage website design, search engine optimization, digital advertising, social media and branding. Built upon Sellentine’s drive to create “a legacy of success, health, wellness, goodwill and perpetuity,” the agency offers businesses the opportunity to find “a clear path”: a dream mirrored by Sellentine’s own journey.

Purposeful Path

While his company continues to thrive, Sellentine searches for new ways to give back. And he looked no further than the alma mater that helped set him on his path.

“Life after OU had its challenges, but returning to engage with the university community reminded me how powerful connection and purpose can be,” Sellentine says. “Helping current and former students find opportunities, build careers and gain real-world experience through KARMA jack has become one of my greatest sources of pride.”

For several years, KARMA jack has been a sponsor for the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies 5K/10K race. The agency also employs Oakland University alumni and has established an internship program with the Department of Communication, Journalism and Public Relations (CJPR).

“Joel had been offering internships to our students and reached out to me to explore how he might expand his impact on our campus,” says Valerie Palmer-Mehta, Ph.D., professor and CJPR internship adviser. “Joel is someone who thinks deeply, engages authentically and is driven by something larger than himself. He has a genuine desire to make a meaningful difference in the world.”

“[Valerie] reignited that OU spark for me,” Sellentine says of Dr. Palmer-Mehta. “Her passion for OU and dedication to mentoring students inspired me to give back to help the next generation of Grizzlies grow, lead and build meaningful careers.”

“The original internship program concept was to create pathways for students to people of influence, when they wouldn’t normally have that themselves,” he continues. “Usually the students don’t know what to do with their career or their lives, which I can relate to.”

Sellentine and his team at KARMA jack work with interns to help them figure out what their interests are, and give them ample opportunities to try out different areas of marketing and build their skillset. This journey of trial and error not only offers a diversity of thought for students but also provides a vehicle to navigate their paths. “You can connect what people love to do with their work,” he explains. “Then it doesn’t feel like work. It feels more like play. And that’s when you’re going to get the best work out of people.”

What Sellentine has always loved to do was foster knowledge. It’s what first drew him to pursue a degree in teaching. It propelled him when he started in the workforce. It gave him the courage to leap into starting his own company. And now it fuels his soul by helping others reach their full potential.

“I just think in life we need to do our best to help others,” Sellentine shares. “OU gave me the foundation and inspiration to keep paying it forward.”