Thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 Career Everywhere Recognition & Celebration! It was a pleasure to see so many Career Champions in-person and virtually. We are appreciative of the work you have done the past year and the passion you bring to support UConn students throughout their career journeys. To our award nominees, we are so grateful for the mentorship and guidance you provide. This year, we received an incredible 154 award nominations across all categories, a true testament to the impact you’ve made.
This year’s celebration was emceed by Micah Heumann, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, Career Champion, and Career Champion Advisory Board Member. Micah kicked off the celebration by drawing attention to career readiness being an equity issue and what is being done by the UConn community, Career Champions especially, to make career development accessible to ALL students.
“What’s happening here is transformational. We’re moving from silos to systems, fostering collaborations that cross disciplines, roles, and departments. And that’s what makes Career Everywhere so powerful. It’s not about asking everyone to become a career counselor. It’s about creating a shared culture where we all feel empowered to be part of the conversation.”
– Micah Heumann, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research
The celebration also recognized a group of exceptional alumni who have made a lasting impact on our campus community this year through the Alumni-in-Residence program. This initiative brings alumni back to campus in a meaningful, consistent way, creating opportunities for students to connect directly with professionals who once sat in the same classrooms and asked many of the same questions about life after graduation.
Ali DeGirolamo, Dominique Teskey, Jonathan Costa, Kelly Kerrigan and Tessa Kalin generously volunteered their time to host monthly office hours, offering one-on-one mentoring and tailored career guidance to our students. Whether sharing personalized advice on navigating career paths, building networks, exploring professional opportunities, or insights into industry trends, their guidance was practical, encouraging and made an immeasurable impact on students’ career readiness. These conversations have helped our students build confidence, refine their goals, and take concrete steps toward their futures.
Beyond individual mentorship, these alumni played an active role in broader campus programs as well. They joined career panels and classroom visits, participated in networking nights, and shared their journeys with honesty and encouragement. Their stories reminded students that success is rarely a straight line, that growth often comes from unexpected places, and that our alumni network is one of the most powerful resources they can tap into.
Additionally, we were proud to share that last summer, 14 of our esteemed faculty members across 12 different departments were selected to participate in the Summer Faculty Fellow Institute. Their work has impacted over 1000 students by integrating career readiness into their curricula with a focus of enhancing students’ ability to articulate their career competencies. Each faculty fellow was invited to share a poster of the work they completed during the Institute and were displayed throughout the celebration (a few can be seen below).
We hope that everyone who attended had an excellent time connecting with each other, and we look forward to seeing you continue your amazing work! Learn more about each of our award recipients and all that they accomplished this year.
Undergraduate Career Mentor of the Year Award: Craig Calvert
Craig Calvert is an Associate Professor In-Residence and Co-Director of the MEM Program. Craig has demonstrated a commitment to students and their careers through providing support with internships, campus involvement, exploring career paths, and more. He has also been willing to assist with the small details within the career process, including working with an international student preparing for their first U.S. internship to help them understand the dress code and how to communicate in a professional environment.
One shining example that exemplifies Craig’s incredible impact is in his mentorship with a student looking to leave their program. As one nominator noted, they came to their mentor looking to switch out of their major and into education. Craig “without hesitation, fully supported my decision and helped me plan out my next steps.” This effort shows his dedication to student success on campus.
Graduate Career Mentor of the Year: Mary Anne Amalaradjou
Mary Anne Amalaradjou is an Associate Professor in Animal Science. Mary Anne dedicates time to career planning, post-Ph.D. opportunities, skill development, and networking. Beyond research, she actively encourages students to participate in volunteer opportunities, attend conferences, and networking events. She has fostered confidence in their students and expanded professional networks and career prospects. Mary Anne has an open-door policy with their students, meeting with them regularly.
Students consistently commend her for their exceptional ability to empower students during pivotal career decision-making moments. Mary Anne’s guidance has proven transformative, with one student sharing, “They played a crucial role in boosting my confidence, which ultimately led to multiple job interviews and meaningful career advancement.” This powerful impact reflects her unwavering commitment to student success and professional growth.
Staff Career Mentor of the Year: Brooke Foti Gemmell
Brooke Foti Gemmell is a Design Strategist at Greenhouse Studios. Brooke is an outstanding supervisor and mentor who leads with purpose, passion, and an unwavering dedication to student success. She consistently goes above and beyond, creating meaningful opportunities for growth and connection. Through the facilitation of weekly meetings, she has established a valuable space where students and full-time staff can engage in open, thoughtful discussions on career development.
Brooke’s commitment doesn’t end at graduation. She actively engages in ongoing conversations about their students’ career aspirations and continues to provide support and mentorship well beyond their time at UConn. Her lasting impact is a testament to the care, guidance, and encouragement she offers every step of the way.
Employer/Alumni Career Mentor of the Year: Ali DeGirolamo
Ali DeGirolamo is the Mayoral Aide for the City of Waterbury. Ali has made a profound and lasting impact. As a proud UConn Waterbury alumna, she has gone above and beyond to give back to current students—bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience.
One of Ali’s standout contributions includes hosting Career Treks to City Hall for Urban and Community Studies students, providing them with invaluable firsthand exposure to local government departments, career paths, and internship opportunities. Her dedication to student success and their commitment to creating accessible, meaningful experiences reflect the true spirit of mentorship and making them a deserving recipient of this honor.
Faculty Career Advocate of the Year: Tamara Kaliszewski
Tamara Kaliszewski is an Associate Professor-in-Residence in Allied Health Sciences. Tamara spearheaded the inaugural Waterbury Healthcare Involvement Fair in November 2024, with plans to repeat this successful event in the future. Over 45 students connected with healthcare professionals and experiential learning opportunities from SHaW, Health Leaders Program, UConn Allied Health Research, Collegiate Health Service Corps, Waterbury Department of Health, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Center for Human Development, Access Rehab Centers, LOF Adaptive Skiers, and more.
Tamara has demonstrated exceptional dedication to integrating career development into academic experience. Through her participation in the Faculty Fellow Summer Institute, they have thoughtfully embedded career readiness into their course — Human Physiology in Health and Disease—ensuring that students develop essential professional skills. Her commitment to preparing students for success beyond the classroom exemplifies the very best of what faculty mentorship can offer.
Staff Career Advocate of the Year Award: Arthur Galinat
Arthur Galinat is the Director of International Student and Scholar Services. Arthur integrates career conversations into every student interaction they have. A true advocate for collaboration, he actively encourages staff engagement with the Center for Career Readiness and encourages involvement in events such as the U.S. Internship and Job Search Panel, the annual networking event, and the “How to Get an Internship” session. Arthur’s efforts help create meaningful connections between students and career resources that shape their future success.
In addition, he serves as a vital liaison between the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills and the International Students and Scholars Office, helping to ensure international students receive tailored support and guidance. Arthur’s commitment to student success, inclusivity, and cross-departmental collaboration makes him a truly deserving recipient of this honor.
Career Competency Innovation Award: Allied Health Sciences Department
This year’s award goes to an exceptional department that has collectively demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student success through the seamless integration of the NACE Career Competencies across all levels of their curriculum and programming. Their innovative approach ensures that students not only learn these essential career-readiness skills but also have meaningful opportunities to apply them in real-world, hands-on settings.
By embedding these competencies into classroom instruction, experiential learning, and co-curricular events, the Allied Health Sciences Department has created a dynamic and intentional learning environment. Their dedication to the Career Champion Program is evident in their ongoing efforts to refine and elevate their initiatives to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare workforce. Congratulations to Anna Ramos, Cheryl Ordway, Janet Rochester, Jill Skowrenski, Justin Nash, Lauren Wilson, Paul Bureau, and Paula Kalksma-McDowell of the The Allied Health Sciences Department.
