Staff

Jim Lowe was appointed as Assistant Vice Provost, Executive Director for the Center for Career Development of the University of Connecticut in February of 2013. Prior to his appointment to the Provost Office, Lowe served as Assistant Dean, Executive Director, External Relations and Outreach, of UConn’s School of Business, overseeing the Undergraduate and MBA populations’ career development programs and initiatives, Veteran Affairs, Diversity Initiatives, Marketing/Communications, and External Relations Departments. Before joining UConn, Lowe spent 10 years with Lee Hecht Harrison, a human capital solutions firm, primarily in their Manhattan, NY offices. During that time he was a Senior Vice President and General Manager overseeing all operational, financial, HR and marketing/sales functions at the firm’s international headquarters practice office and was SVP, Regional Sales Manager where he developed and executed strategic sales initiatives for the firm’s professional services, focusing on Fortune 1000 and mid-tier companies.

Lowe held senior level executive positions at a number of international companies such as: Leslie’s Poolmart, controlling all sales and operational functions of $350 million national business; Warner Bros., where he was Director of Training and Organizational Development addressing the talent needs that came with an expansion from 26 domestic locations to over 100 domestic and 16 international locations; and Linens ‘N Things, where he created sales, leadership and management development programs.

Lowe has been a frequent guest lecturer at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Business Administration, New York University’s Stern School of Business, and Fairfield University, from which he received his BA degree. He is also a Certified Career Management Professional, and is certified in multiple individual and 360 organizational assessment tools.

Nancy Bilmes is currently the Director of the Center for Career Development. Some of her responsibilities include supervising staff, overseeing the day to day operations of the department and managing all departmental activities. Previous to being director Nancy was responsible for departmental programming, supervising the Peer Career Advisors, developing new programming initiatives, and overseeing experiential learning opportunities. She also works one-on-one with students and presents workshops and presentations on all career related topics. Some of Nancy’s previous roles in the Center for Career Development (formerly Career Services), included Associate Director, Assistant Director for Experiential Learning, Career Counselor and Cooperative Education Coordinator.
Prior to coming to UConn, Nancy received her Master of Arts Degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Higher Education from Central Connecticut State University where she worked as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Alcohol and Other Drugs. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York where she was a Peer Career Counselor. Nancy developed her passion for Career Services while serving in this role as an undergraduate and has devoted her life’s work to helping students manager their careers and find their own passions.

Alex is the Program Assistant for the UConn Stamford Center for Career Development. Alex provides administrative support including front desk operations, data collection and reporting, training and supervision of student workers, and project management. In addition, Alex assists in marketing career development programs and events and coordinates on-campus employer visits. Alex received a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality studies from UConn Stamford.

Amelinda Vazquez (she/her/hers) is the Associate Director, Programming & Internal Relations at the Center for Career Development. Amelinda leads the Center’s strategic vision for in-person and virtual career readiness programming for UConn Nation. In addition to career development programs, Amelinda oversees internal relations, which focuses on building and sustaining relationships with internal organizations within UConn’s community.  Through internal relations, Amelinda manages communication, outreach, and partnership with over 70 internal university constituencies including academic departments, student organizations and activities, cultural centers, and student support departments.

Amelinda earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Master of Science in Communication from Central Connecticut State University. Amelinda has worked in Higher Education in various capacities. Prior to her beginning at UConn, she worked at both Eastern Connecticut State University and Assumption College in Residential Life and served as the Communication Chair for the NASPA Region I Latino Knowledge Community.

Beth Settje has been working in higher education for close to 30 years and at UConn since 2001. She has held a few different roles in the department, currently serving as the Associate Director, College to Career Transitions and Alumni Engagement. Her efforts will focus on students finishing their experience in college or graduate school and preparing for what is next. She will also address transitioning into the first year of a graduate program or work. Lastly, her work will include reaching out to alumni regarding their career development needs as well as ways they want to support current students with mentoring, networking and general career support. Beth is the instructor for the department’s Senior Year Experience course, a one credit class open to graduating undergraduates; she also organizes and schedules small and large programming to prepare students for life after graduation.

Beth is a strong advocate for students figuring out their academic and career paths, understanding the route is not always clearly marked and that detours often lead to new, unexpected discoveries. Her favorite career theory is Planned Happenstance, which emphasizes creating or taking advantage of the different opportunities that present themselves each day. She encourages students to trust and believe in themselves, as they figure out their choices.

Beth earned her Bachelor of Science in Business (Marketing major/English minor) from Beaver College (now Arcadia University) and her Masters of Education in College Student Personnel from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her favorite undergraduate course was Business Writing and she uses elements of that course in her daily work at the CCD. She is also a proud mom to a UConn student and wife to a UConn alum.

With focus on the New York Metropolitan Area, Christina connects employers with UConn talent. Her experience includes partnering with employers across diverse industries to develop an on-campus presence and recruitment strategy through employer engagement initiatives including career fairs, workshops, and networking events at Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to working in higher education, Christina was a school counselor in the Stamford Public Schools where she helped high school students achieve their academic, college, and career goals.  In addition, she worked with first generation college bound students through college access programs to help them be successful in higher education. Christina also has more than five years of experience in international staffing, recruitment fairs, and cultural exchange.  Her extensive experience in working with students in transitions helps provide employers insight on expanding access to full-time and internship roles to talented candidates. Christina has a BA in Psychology and Italian from Binghamton University and a MA in School Counseling from Fairfield University.

With a focus on Fairfield County, Chrys is committed to creating effective engagement opportunities between employers and UConn students. From her professional experience as a Director at several Fortune 1000 companies overseeing global brands like Dannon, Nabisco, Playtex, Schick and Save the Children (nonprofit), Chrys has extensive first-hand experience in business management and leadership of global, culturally diverse teams. With this insider understanding, she is skilled at partnering with employers to recruit their teams for today and tomorrow.  Chrys also taps into her longstanding volunteerism with education, arts and service organizations to develop internship opportunities for nonprofits.

Darlene Reynolds works on Assessment & Technology, this includes being the main administrator for multiple Center for Career Development technologies such as HuskyCareerLink and the Husky Mentor Network. She assists students, employers and alumni in utilizing these platforms effectively.

Darlene came to the university in 2000 and began as the front desk receptionist in the Center for Career Development. Then worked with many of the department programs such as Co-op program, and Human Services Career Fair now known as the Careers for the Common Good Career Fair.

Desirée Martino (she/her/hers) is a part-time Career Coach at the Center for Career Development. Desirée meets with students and alumni in one-on-one consultations to discuss various career-related topics such as major and career exploration, career planning resources, document review, post-graduation opportunities, and she provides general career development advice.  

Desirée performs practice interviews; reviews LinkedIn profiles; moderates panel discussions related to job searches; and presents sessions on internship searches, elevator pitches, applicant tracking systems, networking, virtual interviews, and mentoring.

Desirée works closely with the International Student and Scholar Services department to provide programming and resources to meet the career-related needs of undergraduate international students. She also writes blogs and develops relevant content related to career development for the International Student Affinity Page.

Desirée has a Master’s Degree from Providence College. Before joining UConn’s Center for Career Development, Desirée was a Career Manager for a professional association in Washington DC, and she is a consultant to the State of Connecticut’s Department of Rehabilitation Services for résumé development for individuals with disabilities. Desirée is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW) through the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches (PARWCC).

Eran Peterson joined the department in 2013 and has held roles as a Career Consultant, the Career Consultant for the School of Engineering, and now oversees Career Coaching and Counseling. Eran holds his Master of Science in Counselor Education and is a military veteran who deployed to Iraq in 2006. Additionally, Eran regularly presents on networking, LinkedIn, and the job search and meets regularly with students, alums, and career-changers for one-on-one consultations.

Eran is the proud recipient of the Student Support Services Faculty (SSS) Faculty Recognition Award in 2020, as well as the Center for Career Development’s coveted “Ice Cube Award” which recognizes the “most chill staff member”.

Evan McMunn is the Publicity and Marketing Administrator for the UConn Center for Career Development. In this role, he oversees the development and delivery of communication supporting the Center’s events, programming, and services to UConn students, as well as outreach to faculty and staff regarding department initiatives.

Before joining the Center for Career Development in 2019, Evan worked in the community banking space, developing digital strategies and content to help smaller institutions compete with larger financial service providers in a highly competitive industry. He received his Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Marketing from Eastern Connecticut State University. In his free time, Evan likes to play and watch soccer, kayaking, paddleboarding and attempting to grow vegetables.

Francesca Crivello is the Operations Coordinator for the Center for Career Development. Francesca manages and assists in the performance of programs and events; evaluates supplemental resources; supervises student employees; assists in the preparation of budgets and monitors expenses; and directs departmental workflow. Prior to her role at the Center for Career Development, Francesca worked for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, compiling application materials and processing them through the online system. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Linguistics, and Psychology and a Minor in Business Administration from UConn.

Gabrielle Comella is a Assistant Director for the Corporate Partner Relations team at the Center for Career Development. With a primary focus on working with corporate partners from the Greater Hartford and Boston regions, Gabrielle is dedicated to connecting employers to top UConn talent and meeting all their recruiting needs. Gabrielle helps come up with the best strategies for corporate partners and their recruiting plans, including career related events, programming, and other networking events. Prior to becoming Assistant Director, Gabrielle joined UConn in December 2019 as the Corporate Partner Relations Coordinator. Gabrielle received a B.S. in Hospitality & Tourism Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and worked in various customer service roles, focusing on sales and operations.

Judith (Judi) Trzcinski joined the Center for Career Development as a Career Coach in August 2018. She partners with students and recent alumni via one-on-one sessions to discuss career topics such as resume and cover letter writing, interviewing preparation, job & internship search, major and career exploration, graduate school application preparation, and developing LinkedIn profiles. Her in-depth business knowledge, leadership and teaching expertise affords UConn students and alumni with targeted coaching and expert career advice that deliver demonstrated results.

Following a successful career as a Human Resource Executive, where she was viewed as a trusted advisor and approachable leader, Judi has taken her enthusiasm and years of professional experience in the corporate arena, to higher education.  In addition to her position with UConn, she is an adjunct professor at the University of Hartford, a position she has held since 2007.  She has designed and facilitates coursework that prepares students to succeed in a career in healthcare and healthcare management.

She spends her free time devoted to volunteering with two exceptional organizations. 1) Dress for Success where she utilizes her coaching and mentoring expertise with clients in the development of career tools to help them thrive in work and in life. 2) Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary where she combines her love for animals and deep desire to help those that cannot help themselves through this organization’s mission to do right by all animals regardless of the challenge or cost.

Judi holds a Master of Education from Cambridge College, and a Master of Science in Organizational Behavior from the University of Hartford.

Kay Kimball Gruder (she|her|hers) joined the Center for Career Development in 2014 and has over 30 years of experience in career development. Kay leads career programs and services for graduate students, postdocs, and alumni of graduate programs, and she works with faculty, department leadership, and colleagues within and beyond UConn to support graduate student and postdoctoral scholar success. Within UConn Kay serves on the Graduate Student and Postdoc Affairs team at The Graduate School, is a member of the University Senate Student Welfare Committee, and partners on a variety of initiatives with International Student & Scholar Services. Kay meets with graduate students and postdocs as they explore and prepare for careers, engage in job searches, and consider options and opportunities to apply their skills, knowledge, and training. 

Prior to working at UConn, Kay worked at both private and technical institutions and has additional experience in admissions, parent relations, and whole-student advising.  Kay has a M.Ed. from Lesley College and a B.A. from Bennington College.   

Kristen (she/her/hers) joined the Center for Career Development as a Career Consultant in 2017 and currently supports all UConn undergraduate and graduate students as well as alumni. She is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer through the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches and meets one-on-one with students for coaching on various topics including résumés, cover letters, career/major exploration, interviewing, and general career development. Kristen graduated from the UConn College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) in 2004 with a degree in Journalism, and although she serves as a generalist supporting students of all majors, she particularly enjoys helping CLAS students explore career options and feel confident in the unique skillsets they develop in their academic coursework.

In addition to her role as a Career Consultant, Kristen also manages the Career Center’s undergraduate student intern program. The program provides student interns with opportunities to develop personal and professional skillsets that help strengthen the connection between their academic and career interests. She also oversees the department’s Practice Interview Program and is consistently looking for innovative ways to help students prepare to make their best first impression on an employer. Before returning to UConn, Kristen worked in many different industries but spent the majority of her career working in Human Resources/Talent Acquisition and enjoys helping students recognize the power of networking as it relates to finding and growing their careers.

Lauren Rosenkranz, MSEd, is an experienced college career counselor that specializes in working with students and alumni on all aspects of their job search process.  She has taught the First Year Experience course since 2018 as well as career workshops on networking, LinkedIn, resume writing and interviewing skills.  Lauren is passionate about helping individuals make the most of their college experience and successfully launch their careers.

Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science in Education—Counseling & Guidance, from Hunter College. She has also earned a Certificate in Adult Career Planning and Development from New York University.

She currently serves as a Career Consultant for the Center for Career Development on the Stamford Campus providing comprehensive career services, in-class presentations and support to the First Year Experience program.

In my role, I manage assessment and technology for the Center. I’m the tech “go-to” person for the team responsible for implementation, maintenance, and technical support. As a former political science major, I’ve always loved research and my career journey led me to my current role where I also manage data collection, research, analysis and reporting. One of my favorite projects is coordinating “Huskies Moving On” where I collect and disseminate “first destination” information about our student’s career journeys.

Previous Roles

• Assistant Director, Assessment & Technology – UConn Center for Career Development, Storrs, CT
• Assistant Director, Programming – UConn Center for Career Development, Storrs, CT
• Director of Career Services – Goodwin College, East Hartford, CT
• Director of Business Development – Envision EMI LLC, Vienna, VA

Education

Drew University, Madison, New Jersey
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Favorite Experience/Project: Semester abroad in Brussels, Belgium. Intensive study of the European Union.

Bio

Hometown: Canton, CT

Things I enjoy or am involved with: In my free time I enjoy music and performing, boating, running, and spending time with family. While on campus, I enjoy meals in downtown Storrs, catching a basketball game, and working with fellow Center for Career Development staff.

Advice to students:
“You don’t get what you wish for. You get what you work for.” – Daniel Milstein

In my role, I design and lead initiatives to ensure the Center for Career Development is prioritizing equity and inclusion in all of our resources and services. Opportunities to have difficult conversations about the way identity impacts career decisions are some of my favorite parts of my job, especially as someone who has had to navigate the working world as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a person with an “invisible” disability. I also enjoy having all different types of career conversations with students, particularly about exploring careers since I come from a family of engineers and have forged my own path in business/education. I’m always excited to connect with students during one-on-one coaching appointments, faculty members during class visits or curriculum consultations, and alumni who are willing to share their perspective with current students. 

Bio

Hometown: New Hyde Park, NY (Long Island)

Things I enjoy: I’m an extrovert and love being in a group setting, whether at work or at home. Outside of work, I volunteer with an ed-tech nonprofit working to amplify diverse youth voices through publishing, leadership development, and digital community. I’m also an avid soccer player, have a massive board game collection, and enjoy crafting by writing handwritten letters or designing custom gifts with my Cricut.

Advice to students:
When choosing a career path, it’s easy to feel a lot of pressure to make the “perfect” decision. If you can, try not to think about it that way. Instead, focus on making a good decision. There can be many good decisions available to you, and that’s great! As long as your decision meets your needs and makes you happy, you’ve made the right decision for you. And remember, you can always change your mind and make a different decision in the future.

Education

University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Master of Arts, Higher Education and Student Affairs
Favorite Project: Competing in a national case study competition about making higher ed more inclusive for trans students and winning first place!

Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Certificate, Diversity and Inclusion
Favorite Project: Interviewing the CEO of a nonprofit about how she fosters an inclusive climate within the organization.

Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration – Management
Study Abroad: Madrid and Barcelona, Spain
Favorite Experience: Becoming Microsoft Excel certified my sophomore year and then helping over 500 other students become certified as a teaching assistant for the class that teaches Microsoft Excel for 2 years.

Previous Roles

• Career Consultant – UConn Center for Career Development, Storrs, CT
• Graduate Assistant – UConn Center for Career Development, Storrs, CT
• Resident Counselor – Summer Discovery at Georgetown University, Georgetown, DC

Lisa McGuire is the associate director responsible for corporate partner relations, connecting employers to UConn students and alumni. She manages the external relations and corporate functions and is responsible for maintaining and expanding the hiring of UConn students and alumni; and supports fundraising efforts for career-related events and programs. She recruits and consults with employers on best strategies for establishing and developing effective recruitment programs for both full and part-time employees.

She joined UConn after spending more than 25 years with the business community in Connecticut. Prior to joining her alma mater, she was with the Ct. Business & Industry Association (CBIA), working with large and small businesses on public policy, communications, and community relations. She joined CBIA after People’s Bank, where she managed their community relations and public policy programs, which included working extensively with small businesses and other lenders to maximize business potential in the state. Lisa has also been active in the UConn Alumni Association, serving on the Board of Directors for 2 terms and she is currently active with the Greater Hartford group.

As Assistant Director for Corporate Partner Relations, Mary is dedicated to connecting employers to UConn students and alumni. She partners with employers to facilitate opportunities for recruiting UConn talent through posting internships/jobs in Handshake, attending our career fairs and participating in events.   Mary has worked in several non-profit and higher education roles dedicated to supporting academic and career success.

Prior to coming to UConn, Mary worked with the U.S. Air Force overseas providing career services to military members and their families. Mary has also worked with the University of Arizona and Wentworth Institute of Technology in student recruitment and advising positions. Mary earned a Master of Education Degree in Human Relations from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Emmanuel College (Boston, MA).

Pamela Zagami is the Administrative Services Specialist to James R. Lowe, Assistant Vice Provost / Executive Director of the Center for Career Development and Fiscal Officer for the department.   She focuses on budgetary, personnel, and business operations and is the department’s Security Liaison for Human Capital Management and a Readiness Council Member for new university initiatives and programs / platforms / processes.  Pam provides department-wide support including project development and management, event planning, and travel.  As Fiscal Officer, Pam is responsible for budget management, procurement, annual budget construction, as well as annual GUF submissions.   She is a departmental liaison to the Provost Office, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Contracts, Procurement, Budget, Accounting, Cash Operations, UConn Foundation, among others.

Prior to joining UConn, Pam was a Senior Manager with Deloitte’s Office of National Immigration, overseeing the Tax Practice’s immigration program and was the Firm’s I-9 Specialist for Human Resources in the United States. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA.

As a Career Consultant, Steve (he/him/his) supports students through a variety of career-related topics including career and major exploration, interview preparation, and post-graduation opportunities. He also collaborates with members of campus to coordinate educational programs and presentations for the Center for Career Development that students can utilize for their own professional development and personal branding.

Steve graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Westfield State University and a Master of Education degree in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Affairs from Merrimack College. Before joining UConn in December of 2020, Steve was the Associate Director of Admissions and a Professional Development Seminar Instructor at Nichols College. His experience consists of assisting students with resume and cover letter writing, the job search process, and developing post-graduation life skills.

Susan O’Connor has over 20 years of corporate experience working for various companies such as Gartner and Cengage Learning (formerly Thomson Learning) holding leadership roles within Talent Management. She has held global responsibility for designing and implementing many programs such as Performance Management, Succession Management, Learning & Development, e-Learning, Leadership & Management Programs, Career Development, 360 Feedback instruments and best in class talent technology solutions and systems over the years.

After a successful corporate career focusing on enterprise solutions, Susan returned to graduate school, reinventing herself by securing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate.  She also holds a Master’s in Industrial Organization Psychology from Fairfield University and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Sacred Heart University. She currently serves as a Career Consultant for the Center for Career Development on the Stamford Campus providing comprehensive career services, workshop and programs for undergraduate students and alumni.

I lead career services and programming for the regional campuses. Hard for me to believe it sometimes, but I’ve been in the career development field for about 20 years. I still remember my undergraduate days as a first gen college student and, based on my experiences, one of my passions is working with first gen and diverse student populations. I serve on the Center for Career Development Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee and oversee the First Gen Affinity Community. My motivation for working in career development is to support students’ career journeys and to help create access to equitable and meaningful life transformative opportunities. My favorite part of my job is witnessing students achieve their goals, big or small.

Learn more about me here: Conquering Imposter Syndrome

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bio

Hometown: Bridgeport, CT

Things I enjoy: I consider myself to be a socially-conscious creative. It is essential for me to have a career that provides space to have fun, explore, and most importantly, to make a difference. I love brainstorming with my colleagues and coming up with new ideas. Program planning is an exciting part of my role because it allows me to be innovative and try out new things. I grew up in an artistic family and the arts remain a huge part of my life. Whether I am creating artwork, planning a program, or developing resources I want to inspire and help others and contribute to a greater good.

Advice to students: I have spoken to many students who feel like everyone else has it all figured out except for them. They are anxious about making a decision on a major or career path because they don’t want to make the “wrong” choice, believing that what they decide now will be a life-long, irreversible decision. Although I validate these feelings (of course, these are important decisions) I also want students to understand that this is an ongoing journey that extends far beyond college. All we can do is start going towards a certain direction. Have a goal in mind but be open to those chance events that will inevitably occur. Those twists and turns will lead to many surprisingly positive things that couldn’t be planned for or imagined. You will meet people, discover new interests, be presented with opportunities which will continually contribute to your professional development. Have a plan, but be ready for and welcome the unexpected.

Education

Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT
Master of Arts, Community Counseling

Emerson College, Boston, MA
Bachelor of Science in Speech, Major: Advertising

Favorite Experience: In my senior year, I took on the challenge of revamping a defunct student club, Emerson’s Black Student Organization, EBONI. Our leadership team successfully re-established EBONI as a recognized student organization, gained funding, cultivated membership, and increased campus visibility resulting in being awarded Student Organization of the Year! Talking about this experience in an interview helped me to land my first entry-level position upon graduation.

Previous Roles

• Assistant Director – UConn Center for Career Development, Stamford, CT
• Assistant Director – Purchase College, SUNY, Purchase, NY
• Assistant Director – Teikyo Post University, Waterbury, CT
• Academic Coordinator – Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT
• Program Coordinator – Upward Bound (TRIO), Fairfield, CT
• Academic Counselor – Project Excel/Student Support Services (TRIO), Fairfield, CT

Theo Menounos joined the Center for Career Development in 2022, where he currently supports the School of Engineering. In his previous role at UConn, Theo oversaw Career Management and Personal Branding for the full-time MBA program. Prior to joining UConn, Theo spent more than 15 years working in Talent Acquisition and People Development for some of the leading financial services organizations in Southeast Europe. Theo has a BA in European Community Studies from the London Southbank University and an MA in International Business and Management from the University of Westminster, London. In his free time, Theo likes to play (badly), coach (decently) and watch (no skills required) soccer.

Wendy is the Corporate Partner Relations Coordinator supporting efforts to connect employers to UConn students and alumni including the Career & Internship Fairs and the Careers for the Common Goods Fair.

Wendy’s background is in marketing, outreach and event management for the consumer products and hospitality industries. When at Panera Bread she partnered with the Center for Career Development to create their franchise’s Marketing Internship Program. She graduated from UConn with a double major in English and Communications and enjoyed her internship experiences including the Disney College Program. She played on the UConn Women’s Rugby Team and is a longtime supporter of the sport and alumni events.

Wendy Turdo is the Career Consultant, responsible for career coaching and career development services on the UConn-Avery Point Campus.

Wendy joined the UConn team after serving in numerous professional roles in the private sector and higher education over the past 20 years.  Her diverse portfolio includes extensive Human Resource/Corporate Recruiting experience while working at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Volkswagen Group of America-Corporate Headquarters and the Home Shopping Network (HSN).  Additionally, she served as the Associate Director of Relationship Management (Career Development) at Yale University’s School of Management and as the Assistant Director of Graduate Admission at Columbia University’s Teachers College.

Most recently, Wendy was the Program Manager at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s Admiral James M. Loy Institute for Leadership.

A graduate of Fairfield University, she also holds a certificate in Human Resources Management from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and a certificate in Coaching from the Air Force Academy’s Mosaic Character and Leadership Coaching Program.

Wiley Dawson (he/him/his) is the Assistant Director, Center for Career Development at the UConn Hartford Campus. Wiley collaborates with faculty, staff, student groups, alumni, and employers to coordinate career-related programming and events to assist students with career exploration and decision making. With expertise in career development, job and internship search strategies, application development, and interview preparation, Wiley is prepared to help students pursue their professional aspirations. Before coming to UConn, Wiley worked in the Office of Career and Professional Development at Albertus Magnus College for over four years. Wiley received a Master of Science in Counseling with an emphasis in Higher Education from Central Connecticut State University, where he worked as a graduate assistant in The Learning Center. Wiley received his Bachelor of Arts in History and Social Science from Eastern Connecticut State University, developing his passion for career development and education.