Kudos

Every other month, we do a call out for SoACE members to submit their anonymous Kudos to colleagues that have gone above and beyond in the office, as part of a professional association, or in other ways that make life better for others.

ER Summit Planning Committee
Matt Battista (University of Tampa), Richard Combs (UNC Chapel Hill), Beth Mannella (Elon University), Jennie Marchal (Vanderbilt University), V’Rhaniku Haynes (Central Florida). Thank you to the excellent committee for the 2019 Employer Relations Summit. The event would not have been a success without your contributions. Your volunteer efforts do not go unnoticed.

ER Summit Planning Committee
Thank you for all your hard work!!!

FloridaACE Workshop Selection Committee and Roundtables Committee
Great job to the committee for choosing a nice variety of topics for both sessions and RT’s, and nice job to everyone who presented for coming up with new and unique ideas!

North Carolina Central University Career and Professional Development Center
Congratulations on winning the NC Central Student Affairs Department of the Year Award!!!

University of South Florida, Office of Employer Relations
Shout out to Pranam and Amanda for presenting at the SoACE ER Summit last week!

Wake Forest University
Congratulations on winning the NACE Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award!

Texas A&M-Commerce Career Development Team
I want to give a shout out to our new career coaches (Shanna Jonescu, Chelsey Jonson, & Trevor McCray) for handling their first spring as career coaches with precision, poise, and perfection. You have exceeded our expectations and we are so glad you are on our team. Adding the three of you to our team has been such a blessing to our office and our students – thank you for all you do! ~Lacey & Bethany

The University of Tampa
Thank you for hosting a great visit to UT during the ER Summit! Your redesigned office is impressive and your staff incredible. Way to go!!

Marissa Miller, University Career Center, Auburn University
Wonderful job planning and coordinating our Your Major: Career Discovery Workshops this year! Your hard work is making such a positive difference for our incoming freshmen!

Tasheila Williams-Townsend, University Career Center, Auburn University
Way to hit the ground running, Tasheila! The work you’ve done developing new programs including Mock Interview Day is incredible. Thanks for all the joy you bring to the office every day!

Beth Mannella, Elon University
Way to make our FDR reporting a hit! I appreciate your thoroughness and on-top-of-it-ness you’ve provided through the process!

Tara Stevenson, Flagler College
Congratulations on putting together an AMAZING FloridaACE conference! It would not have been so successful without your leadership.

Tara Stevenson, Flagler College
Nice job on the Annual Conference! Lots of time for connections and networking, plus fun events. Uncomplicated learning and fun!

Blake Winchell, LSU Olinde Career Center
For your leadership, support this past academic year for our team, and for coordinating the highest attended JCPenney Suit Up event in the nation. You Geaux Blake!!

Heather Woodall, Mississippi State University
Congratulations, Heather, on your promotion to Assistant Director and liaison to the College of Business.

Melody Iannone, Old Dominion University Career Development Services
Melody has done an amazing job of working with the VACE budget as treasurer, and in helping with the planning of the VACE annual conference. Well done!

Summer Steelman, Old Dominion University Career Development Services
Summer did an amazing job of working as part of the conference planning committee for VACE this year. Well Done!

Saranette Williams, Old Dominion University Career Development Services
Saranette has done a great job this year of helping our team reorganize and regroup in regard to employer programs. She never fails to amaze with her boundless energy and attitude of care for students, staff, faculty, and employees alike. It is a pleasure and an honor to know and work with you.

SMU Hegi Family Career Development Center, Employer Relations Team
Kudos to an AMAZING Employer Relations Team – Essence Smith, Sandra Bray, MK Rademacher and Caroline Rydquist! Because of your commitment and hard work, we were able to increase our employer engagement and offer more programming and events this year than ever! You are appreciated and I am grateful to work with such a wonderful group of professionals!

Kaitlin Burke, St. Edward’s University
Kaitlin earned a promotion to assistant director for Residence Life at St. Edwards University! She began as a resident assistant and has worked her way up!

Twyla Hough, Trinity University
Congratulations to Twyla for listening and following her direction in life after helping students find theirs for 15 years! We will miss you but wish you a lifetime of success as you pursue a PhD and journey forward. We know you will continue to positively impact lives!! ~Your Work Family, CELCS

Whitney Prescott, University of Georgia
Congratulations on receiving the NACE Technology Excellence Award!

Yolanda Dillard, The University of Memphis
Yolanda has been a truly dynamic leader in our office! She has spearheaded our transition to Handshake software and has diligently worked with each staff member to make it a seamless change. This was a huge undertaking for our university. She is effectively leading positive change. Keep roaring Tiger!

Dia Buchanan, The University of Mississippi
Thank you for an exceptional experience at the Employer Relations Summit last week! You and the rest of the planning committee knocked it out of the park! The programming was outstanding and it was apparent that a lot of hard work went into making it happen. Congratulations on a successful event!

Dia Buchanan, The University of Mississippi
Congrats on planning a successful Employer Relations Summit. You did an amazing job!

Adam Barnes, University of South Alabama Career Services
Outstanding performance regarding student engagement.

Tiffany Waddell Tate, Wake Forest University and NCACE
Thank you for your commitment and investment as NCACE President this past year. Your leadership led to more opportunities for members to grow professionally and make connections across the state. Enjoy being Past President!

Every other month, we do a call out for SoACE members to submit their anonymous Kudos to colleagues that have gone above and beyond in the office, as part of a professional association, or in other ways that make life better for others.

SFA Center for Career and Professional Development
The team at the Center for Career and Professional Development have been rock stars this semester. Together we have knocked out three successful career fairs, plus our senior week full of new and improved events. The team has shown tenacity, creativity and a passion for helping students on our campus. We have a small staff but they have big hearts and are very dedicated to their work. It is a pleasure to work with them every day.

University of Florida’s Career Connections Center
Special thanks to all the work each of you do to serve the Gator Nation.

Jeff Brackin, Auburn University Career Services & Cooperative Education
Congratulations to Jeff on his retirement after 28 years of service to Auburn University. Jeff has been dedicated to the success of our co-op program and to the individual success of each student that comes in his office. Enjoy this next chapter of life, Jeff, you’ve earned it! War Eagle!

Ayshia Caldwell, Auburn University
Ayshia flawlessly planned, coordinated, and executed the 2019 Student Employee of the Year Awards program. The nominees and award recipients left the event feeling honored and so appreciated. GREAT JOB AYSHIA!

Melvin Smith, Auburn University
Melvin oversees the majority of career events hosted by our office. No matter the size of event, no matter the issues that arise, no matter the rain that comes down….every single event is precisely done. THANK YOU MELVIN!

Indira Diaz, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Thank you for all of the things you do – big and small – to support front-end operations and the personal and professional development of our student assistants. We are so grateful to have you on our team and as part of our work family.

Arnold James, Laurie Elliott, and Roth Britton, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Thanks for being such great partners! We appreciate and value you greatly!

Tommey Liang, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Congratulations on your one-year anniversary as part of our team! Thank you for everything you do – for always volunteering, going above and beyond, taking a sincere interest in helping our international students, and representing our office at events around campus. Your energy and enthusiasm are appreciated!

Valerie Mandel, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Thank you so much for everything you do with employer relations, front-end operations, marketing, expo planning, and budget. I can’t wait for you to come back from maternity leave! 🙂

Ryan Mazon, Roth Britton, Sandi, Ohman, and Lauren Burmester, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Thank you so much for taking on the Going Places with Career Services podcast and running with it! You are doing a fantastic job with it and we are proud to have you represent our teams at DB and WW.

Erin Minta, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Thank you for your tireless efforts to bring the career readiness competencies to life at Embry-Riddle! I appreciate your dedication, attention to detail, and passion for this important work. You not only bring tremendous value to the Career Services team every day, but are also contributing to the overall success of the university through your efforts. I appreciate all that you do!

Ommy Pearson, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Thank you for EVERYTHING you do to keep the teams at all three campuses running on Handshake! Your thoroughness, logic, and conscientiousness are greatly appreciated and we could not do it without you. We are so lucky to have you on our team!

Sally Richards, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Thank you for tirelessly handling all of the fine details and challenging situations that come up related to co-ops and internships. You are an INTEGRAL part of this team and we are grateful for everything you do!

Traci Ackerman, FAU Career Center
Traci is exceptional professional who works tirelessly to create innovative and effective employer-related events for students. She also consistently and altruistically contributes to the local community in a variety of ways. For this, and much more I send a SoACE Kudo to Ms.Traci Ackerman!

Emmanuela Stanislaus, Florida International University
Thank you for being such a great partner in leading the Knowledge Groups this year. I appreciate all of your extra effort with some of our administrative duties. It’s been a pleasure serving on the board with you so closely this year!

Garnesha Beck, LSU Olinde Career Center
Adding you to this team has been one of the best decisions we’ve made as an office. You have brought with you a go-getter attitude and a high level work ethic. I have loved watching you carve out your place on the EDR and the larger OCC team. I know that our OCI program and the Recruitment Center are in great hands with you. Thanks for your openness and willfulness to speak your mind! Keep up the great work!

Amy Caillouet, LSU Olinde Career Center
In the wake of some recent staff losses you have stepped up and out of your role to serve the greater needs of this team and office. Thank you for your willingness to mold yourself into the role we NEED you in. I could not keep my head on straight without you some days, so thank you for continuing to push our employer development further than it’s ever been. I have so enjoyed watching you in this “new” role. Keep grinding!

Courtney Edwards, LSU Olinde Career Center
Just wanted to say how much I’ve appreciated your hard work this past semester and your roll up the sleeves and get it done attitude. You’re helping take our team and what we do to the next level and I sincerely appreciate your willingness to step up and help lead. You’re taking your new role and running with it while making it your own! Keep up the great work!

Jessica Glasgow, LSU Olinde Career Center
Jessica always pushes the office to do our best work and finds a way to make everything happen. Our office truly could not run without her. Thank you, Jessica!

Amy Pogue, LSU Olinde Career Center
There are days I’m not sure how you manage to get everything you do done, but you always do and MOST of the time with a big smile on your face. Our team, and the career center as a whole, could not operate at the level we do without you. Your attention to detail and the efficiency with which you work is unrivaled. I know it can feel thankless some days, but THANK YOU! Keep up your amazing work!

Kim Satz, TCU
Kim has been an excellent co-chair for the 2019 SoACE Employer Relations Summit. She has taken the lead in making contact and securing employers for the luncheon panel and site visit. We are extremely excited about this year’s event. Planning is successful due to the hard work of the entire planning committee, kudos to them!

Roderick Lewis, UNC Chapel Hill
Kudos to Roderick Lewis for the positive impact you have had on our team since joining us in February as the Senior Associate Director. You are a transformative, forward-thinking leader who knows when to talk and when to listen. You are committed to the future of this office and demonstrate flexibility and an openness to trying new approaches and ideas. Additionally, you promote teamwork and are genuinely interested in creating lasting relationships. Thanks for being a blessing to the University Career Services team and me!

Stephenie Wilson, UNC Chapel Hill
Thanks, Steph, for your leadership during our strategic planning process. I greatly appreciate your insight and openness. You have a knack for building and promoting teamwork, which is critical during this planning process. Your commitment to our team is essential to us achieving the innovative ideas we are working on. You are an unstoppable force!

Roberta Douglas Chad Anglin, Oklahoma State University Career Services
Congrats to Chad Anglin and Roberta Douglas on winning not one…but two poster presentations on our campus to champion student employment! Thank you for your extra efforts, passion, and commitment to all that we do.

Melanie Adams, University of Oklahoma Career Services
Congratulations, Melanie Adams! We are so proud of you and want to share this with the rest of the world. Melanie Adams was recently selected for the University of Oklahoma Regents Award for Outstanding Staff Member. She is an advocate for all students and she has a strong passion for helping others. We are blessed to have her in Career Services. Thank you for all you do, Melanie!

Shanae Giles, University of South Carolina
Thanks Shanae for being you! You bring a sense of calm and a fresh breath to the team! You are well on your way to settling into your (newer) role and are doing a great job! Thanks for being you!

NaToshia Goines, University of South Carolina
Thanks Natoshia for bringing your wealth of event planning knowledge and ability to our ER team! You’re already planning for next year and they will be amazing days! Thanks for joining our team.

Vicki Hamby, University of South Carolina
Thanks Vicki for all that you do for the Career Center! With all of the changes that we have experienced in the office, I’m not sure where we would be if we didn’t have you.

Chris Lewandowski, University of South Carolina
Thanks Chris for serving on our Director’s search team and representing the Career Center. Your teamwork and collaborative demeanor is very encouraging and is noticed. Thanks for all of your hard work.

LaTasha Saunders, University of South Carolina
Thanks LaTasha for giving an energizing presentation (after lunch) to all of our employers! You were great and I can’t wait to see more from you in the future.

Annie Shealy, University of South Carolina
Thanks Annie for bringing your creative and strategic mind to our team! You are already doing such a great job and I am thankful you have joined the ER team! Keep up the great work.

Barbie Smrekar, University of South Carolina
Thanks Barbie for rallying the troops of the Career Center and surpassing our fundraising goal for the American Heart Association! Thanks for all that you do.

Kaitlyn Vann Bean, University of South Carolina
Thanks Kaitlyn for executing a solid round of Partner Days this semester! You ended with a HUGE success for Lending Tree. Thank you for all of your hard work and being a team player and partner!

Office of Employer Relations, University of South Florida
Congratulations to the Office of Employer Relations at USF for receiving the Student Success Award for Partnership last week! You have definitely earned this recognition for your commitment and hard work surrounding student success, employer development, and Handshake!

Devan Lane, University of South Florida, Office of Employer Relations
Shout out to Devan Lane, Interim Director for the Office of Employer Relations at USF! Devan, you are an incredible, passionate, and inspiring leader. We appreciate all you do and are proud to be on your team!

LaMar Black, University of Tennessee Center for Career Development
A shout out to LaMar Black for a productive first year at the UT Center for Career Development. LaMar is endless on the road for UT building our employer relationships. Way to go!

Travis Greenlee, University of Tennessee Center for Career Development
Congratulations to Travis Greenlee as he transitions to a Director role at the University of Iowa’s College of Engineering. Travis has been an awesome member of the UT CCD team and we will miss he enthusiasm and energy.

Travis Greenlee, University of Tennessee Center for Career Development
Congratulations to Travis Greenlee as he moves on in his career path to begin a position as Director of Engineering Professional Development at the University of Iowa. Travis has been with the University of Tennessee Knoxville career center for over 2-1/2 years. While we are happy for him we will miss his smiling face and energetic personality. Congrats and Good luck to Travis!!

Amber Black, West Texas A&M University
Amber is leading our team into a new vision set forward by our university president. She does so with a nod to the successes we’ve had in the past, but with a determination to continuously improve and innovate the ways we provide services to and support our students.Thanks, Amber!*

Every other month, we do a call out for SoACE members to submit their anonymous Kudos to colleagues that have gone above and beyond in the office, as part of a professional association, or in other ways that make life better for others.

University of South Florida
This is a shout out to the Office of Internships and Career Readiness team at USF for their awesome work on our Engaged Student Employment program and for sharing that work at the NACE Internship Summit! Well done and kudos to Christina, Jenny, Sam, Lynn, Diane, Anna, and Helena!

University of Tampa – Career Services Office
You ALL are simply the best! Over 30 presentations, 2 Job Fairs, Multiple events and a HUGE move. Record number of students served despite CRAZINESS. THANK YOU!!

University of Tennessee CCD Staff
A shout-out to the most awesome staff who recently pulled off an amazing Job Fair with a record number of organizations attending and one of our highest student attendance numbers!It’s wonderful when you have a group of people who are so ready and willing to help out wherever needed! Thank you!!

Mike McCay, Auburn University
Congrats Mike on your new role at Auburn! I am looking forward to seeing the great things you and your team will accomplish there. War Eagle!

Mike McCay, Auburn University
Congratulations and kudos to Mike McCay on his new role as Director of Career Services at Auburn. We will miss you here at USF but are so glad you’re still in the SoACE family!

Marissa Miller, Auburn University Career Services & Cooperative Education
Great job getting the Campus Career Closet organized, inventoried, and soliciting new donated racks! So glad you are part of our team!

Torey Palmer, Auburn University Career Services & Cooperative Education
Great job holding down the fort through this long process. Thank you for taking one for the team!

Adam Perleberg, Auburn University Career Services & Cooperative Education
You have been such a HUGE help filling in whenever and wherever it is needed. Thank you for putting our students first and doing whatever you can to help!

Kathleen Smith, Auburn University Career Services & Cooperative Education
Thank you for your initiative and for jumping in wherever there is a need. You have been such a great GA this year!

Anna Claire Stinson, Auburn University Career Services & Cooperative Education
Great job transitioning from a GA to a full-time staff member without a hitch! You have been such an asset to our team and I appreciate everything you are doing for our students.

Charlie Wilder, Auburn University
Congratulations on your move & new role at Auburn! We are excited for you & wish the best for your future. You will always be a part of the MSU Career Center family.

Charlie Wilder, Auburn University
Elvis has left the building! Thanks for 9.5 years of burnin’ love for MSU. You will always be on our minds. Hail State & War Eagle*

Tasheila Williams-Townsend, Auburn University Career Services & Cooperative Education
As the newest member of the team, you have been a breath a fresh air! We can’t wait to see what a impact you have on our students.

Danielle Golinski, Elon University
Congrats on taking the plunge as the Tech KG Summer Boot Camp coordinator. The boot camp is on a sunny path with you leading the way. Don’t sweat it, you will do swimmingly.

Danielle Golinski, Elon University
Welcome to the Tech KG Leadership team, Danielle! We can’t wait to see what great things you do with the Boot Camp.

Amber Moser, Elon University
For being a fantastic team player and chairing up the career advising fellows search. Keep up the great work!

Amber Moser, Elon University
Amber recently returned from spending 11 days in Florida (Tampa & Orlando) with first-year Communications Fellows. She did an incredible job planning the trip and scheduling meetings with more than 10 awesome companies. This is an annual January-term trip, and Amber knocked it out of the park!

Ali’Yah Arnold-Martin, Georgia State University – J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Ali’Yah started with our office the Monday before classes started Fall 2017. In that short time, Ali’Yah has proven to be an amazing addition to the undergraduate team in the Career Advancement Center. Ali’Yah has hit the ground running handling students from some of our most demanding majors. She quickly learned the ropes by assisting in various workshops, events, and professional development classes. She always has a smile and a contagious cheerful attitude that students and staff all enjoy. We are so thankful to have Ali’Yah on our team!*

La’Kesha Hughes, Georgia State University – J. Mack Robinson College of Business
La’Kesha continues to be an outstanding leader on the undergraduate team here in the Career Advancement Center. Most recently, La’Kesha lead the 7th Annual Diversity Breakfast as part of our career expo with over 100 students in attendance along with representatives from 15 different employers. From one on one meetings with students, workshops hosted by our office, and professional development labs taught in conjunction with academic classes La’Kesha continues to be a valued team member!

Marielle Thomas, Georgia State University – J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Where to begin in describing the amazing job that Marielle does in helping companies recruit our students? Last fall, we ran three career fairs in one month! For an office that normally runs one career fair a semester, three in one month and in new spaces was a feat. Marielle with her quiet and calm demeanor pulled it off like a true professional. In addition to career fairs, Marielle runs our on campus interviews and employer info sessions. Marielle does a great job helping Georgia State students connect with employers.

Megan Walters, UNC Greensboro
Megan goes above and beyond the call of duty and is the best supervisor I’ve ever had.

Rory Beaco, University of South Alabama Career Services
Rory’s commitment to serving our students and meeting them where they are in their career management process is something I notice, regularly. He is quick to offer encouragement and a listening ear anytime a student or staff member is in need. Rory’s good nature and jovial laugh always make the work day better.

Bevley Green, University of South Alabama Career Services
Bevley’s approachable and supportive demeanor helps to foster a genuine sense of trust and rapport that few are fortunate to find in a supervisor. Her continued dedication to learning and implementing industry standards into the work we do with students is greatly appreciated.

Tasha Litton, University of South Alabama Career Services
Tasha is dedicated to providing a quality of excellence in everything she does, be it meeting with employers or coordinating career events. Her commitment to professionalism and customer service makes her a great addition to our team. While it’s not an easy job being an Employer and Student Outreach Coordinator, Tasha makes it look effortless.

Erica Lake, University of South Carolina
Congratulations of being named President-Elect! Very deserving. We appreciate everything you’re doing for SoACE!

Christina Ingrassia, University of South Florida
Christina and colleagues from the Office of Internships and Career Readiness were selected to present for the “Problem Solved Highlight” session at the inaugural NACE Internship Summit in Miami. We’re so proud of this team!

Peter Thorsett, University of South Florida
Thank you for all of your work on the Technology Spotlights with Ashley Graham Phipps. I know it is going to be an amazing series due to all of your planning!

Jennifer Utroska-Robles, University of South Florida
Jenny and colleagues from the Office of Internships and Career Readiness were selected to present for the “Problem Solved Highlight” session at the inaugural NACE Internship Summit in Miami. We’re so proud of this team!

Emily Woodward, University of South Florida
We want to welcome Emily Woodward to the USF marketing team and thank her for hitting the ground running! She has been especially instrumental in working with Katlyn Kurtz and Liz Grygiel to launch our social media campaign #FuturesofUSF! Kudos for boosting engagement on these channels and creating buzz around our students’ success!

Samantha Zavatsky, University of South Florida
Samantha and colleagues from the Office of Internships and Career Readiness were selected to present for the “Problem Solved Highlight” session at the inaugural NACE Internship Summit in Miami. We’re so proud of this team!

Peggy Reed, University of Virginia and VACE
We are so lucky to have you as VACE President! Thank you for being a continuous mentor and resource in my tool kit. Keep up the great work on behalf of all of us!

Ashley Graham Phipps, Wake Forest University
Thank you for all of your work on the Technology Spotlights with Peter Thorsett. I know it is going to be an amazing series due to all of your planning!