CINCINNATI — Macy’s Inc. on Thursday said that it has hired more than 1,000 students from the nation’s colleges and universities this year for slots in the company’s Executive Development Program (EDP) and for summer internships nationwide.

The hires include 730 new college graduates for full-time EDP positions, which is an entry-level step in building a career as an executive with the company. In addition, 326 college students - primarily those between their junior and senior years - have joined Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s as interns in stores, merchandising, private brand development, dotcom, information technology, logistics, credit and corporate services functions.

The 2012 total of 1,056 hires is an increase of nearly 30 percent over 819 Macy’s, Inc. college hires in 2011 (559 EDP and 260 interns). The 2012 class of college hires was recruited from more than 50 American college and university campuses after a rigorous selection process to identify the highest-potential talent.

Macy’s, Inc.’s total workforce includes approximately 171,000 employees, including about 22,000 executive positions.