Team

Rae Ann Bories-Easley joined the Office of Career and Professional Development in July, 2010 as the Director. She most recently served as the Director of Outreach and Marketing at the American University Career Center in Washington, D.C. from 2000-2008 after managing the International Internships Program from 1997-2000. There, she worked closely with the faculty, students, staff and alumni from the School of International Service to develop relationships with employers in Washington, New York and abroad and to advise students on career planning.

“What do you do for students at your job?” 

I help undergraduate students to improve their resumes and cover letters. Talking with students helps them to utilize the tools and information they already have in hand and to realize that their experiences are valuable.

“Who are you? What do you want everyone to know about you? What do you enjoy? “

Personally, I am kind, observant, and thoughtful. I listen carefully to understand perspectives and small details. My hobbies include snorkeling, going to the beach and learning new things.

“Why are the Career Center services meaningful?”

Career & Professional Development helps students to learn about themselves and the different career options they may not have considered. Meaning is extracted from “who they are” and “what they have done,” information which is used to help them succeed in their internship and job search.

“In a quote, what do you say to yourself and students?”

“The most powerful weapon on the earth is the human soul on fire.”— Ferdinand Foch

Tracy is passionate about education and lifelong learning. She loves speaking to groups and individuals about creating relationships, making the most of life and being a leader regardless of title. She spent the first few years of her career working for Walt Disney World, then sprung face-first into marketing and communications at the regional level for the Borders Group (Borders Books, Music & Café) and again with The University of Oklahoma. Driven by her passion for service and perhaps as a reaction to the constant barrage of natural disasters, she worked as a nonprofit director for almost ten years, raising funds and awareness for tornado recovery efforts in Oklahoma. Tracy began with The University of Denver in November 2016 in Employer and Industry Engagement, cultivating and stewarding employers toward the many offerings available within the vast networks of DU. In her personal life, Tracy is happily married, has an adopted son and two very fine hounds. Together, they make up another team, which motivates Tracy to continually strive for new, adventurous ideology. She is very active as a community leader and Rotarian. She credits her rich life of exciting experiences with her knack for speaking, presenting and creating engaging opportunities that people remember.

“What do you do for students at your job?”

I motivate and coach each student in a customized and unassuming way. My objective is to equip them with the tools needed to be successful. End goals come first and I use best-proven methods to help them accomplish their goals.

“Who are you? What do you want everyone to know about you? What do you enjoy?”

Being with others, laughing and exercising are some of the things I enjoy. I am an active person who likes sports and holds a strong work ethic.

“Why are the Career Center services meaningful?”

Career & Professional Development makes the overwhelming easy. We offer a customized approach and a person that is willing to help you meet your specific needs and interests.

“In a quote, what do you say to yourself and students?”

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”— Tim Notke

“What do you do for students at your job?”

As an Adviser, I help students to develop their professional identity to be able to pursue their dreams during school and after graduation. I bring a unique perspective and professional background to help students put all of their tools into use.

“Who are you? What do you want everyone to know about you? What do you enjoy?”

Relationships are very important to me and regardless of the job I hold, my most important role is to be a relationship builder. I am a Colorado native and my favorite place to be is Red Rocks. I am also a sports and live music fan and am very passionate about education.

“Why are the Career Center services meaningful?”

As a student, I faced unexpected difficulties in self-exploration and in my job search. Undoubtedly, these challenges can be overcome by investing time to explore career resources. Career & Professional Development can help students to plan their impact on life and be prepared for life after college.

“In a quote what do you say to yourself and students?”

“Be the Duck, paddle madly underwater.”

I have a MA in Educational Psychology and am passionate about helping alumni discover and develop their true potential. I provide value by leveraging connections and building international programs aimed at skill building and helping alumni find careers of meaning. I most recently worked within academic counseling and community engagement departments at the University of Denver.

In addition to my higher education experience, I have also worked as a recruiter for various Fortune 500 companies. This experience has helped me identify strategies that have helped applicants stand out from their competition and win over the individual or team in charge of hiring decisions. I love helping clients not only find the job and/or career of their dreams, but also to get hired by the company of their choice.

When I’m not working with alumni, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching Alabama football, trying new restaurants, playing tennis and collecting records.

I help students relieve the stress and pressure around their career search process. Students leave Career & Professional Development with a sense of hope and accomplishment. Ultimately,  we are here to help them take their education to the next step or steps in their career path. I am compassionate and want students to know that I am listening to their story and their hopes. Excellence drives me and I focus on what I can do to make a difference in a person’s life. Career & Professional Development gives students the support and guidance to translate their education into a career. It is my privilege to help and support students in taking these sometimes difficult, but always exciting next steps.

“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”— John Bingham 

“What do you do for students at your job?”

I engage with graduate students to explore career direction, network and seek connections. I also work with students to develop skills such as writing resumes/CV’s and interviewing that will lead to success in the internship and job processes. Listening is one of my core values and I attend to each person in a different and personalized manner.

“Who are you? What do you want everyone to know about you? What do you enjoy?”

During my spare time, I enjoy being with my family and friends, cooking and meeting with my book club. In everything I do, I try to be positive and keep life in perspective.

“Why are the Career Center services meaningful?”

Work is a key component of life and Career & Professional Development has a lot to offer to help you navigate it. There is much that you can gain by interacting with the staff at Career & Professional Development.

“In a quote, what do you say to yourself and students?”

Connect + Communicate + Care

I help alumni advance their careers. I provide value by leveraging resources and creating programs that help alumni find jobs or develop in their positions.

Connections come easy to me, I love connecting people to one another to form mutually beneficial relationships. I am a perpetual optimist and aim to make better environments wherever I go. During my spare time, I enjoy golf, gardening and reading.

A degree is the first step on the pathway to finding professional success. Alumni Career & Professional Development wants to support your success.

“Always assume that people have good intentions”— Cindy Hyman

“What do you do for students at your job?” 

As a Career Advisor, I get to spend every day helping students answer the question, “What comes next after DU?” Whether it’s the first position in your chosen field, volunteering, graduate school, or taking some time to figure it all out, I love that I get to share strategies, tools, and ideas to navigate your career journey. I work with undergraduates in the Division of Social Sciences, and I enjoy the opportunity to bridge life and career goals with the fields of study and inquiry that the division includes.

“Who are you? What do you want everyone to know about you? What do you enjoy?”

I found my way into career advising by pursuing careers where I could help people in a meaningful and tangible way. Throughout college and graduate school I volunteered my time in the LGBTQ community and with an animal rescue organization. Doing what I can to give back and make the world a better place for others is an important part of who I am. In my spare time I love watching documentaries and exploring the mountains.

“Why are the Career & Professional Development services meaningful?”

I believe that what we do in Career & Professional Development is so meaningful because we create the space to think about what’s next, to ask questions like, “What do I want my life to be?” and then we help you learn how to strategize getting there. What we do doesn’t just help in the short-term either; you can use these skills throughout your life to get wherever you want to go, even if you change direction later down the road.

“In a quote what do you say to yourself and students?”

“Don’t give them what you think they want. Give them what they never thought was possible.” –Orson Welles

Education

M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy – Student Affairs – University of Utah
B.A. in Linguistics; B.F.A. in Film Studies; Certificate in LGBT Studies – University of Colorado Boulder

Joe joined the Office of Career and Professional Development in January, 2017 following more than a decade of government, nonprofit, and academic experience in international affairs. Most recently, Joe was the Associate Director for Government and NGOs for Project C.U.R.E. where he worked to cultivate partnerships with leading humanitarian and development organizations. Prior to this, Joe spent more than eight years as a Foreign Service Officer with the Department of State, serving in Saudi Arabia, Mexico, New York, Washington, DC, and Turkey. Joe previously worked with the International Institute for Education in New York managing Fulbright programs and the International Catholic Migration Commission in Jordan supporting Iraqi refugees. He is the recipient of three State Department Superior Honor Awards as well as Fulbright and National Security Education Program fellowships to Jordan. He received a BA in Government from Hamilton College, and an MA from the University of Texas in Austin in Middle Eastern Studies. He studied abroad in Jordan, Israel, and Switzerland.

Mira Morton Luna has worked for the Office of Career and Professional Development since June 2006 where she has engaged employers with the school and managed student career planning. Mira has a background in nonprofits, private sector and government consulting.

Mira served as a program director for the Colorado American Diabetes Association and moved on to consult with the Centers for Disease Control and the National American Diabetes Association on outreach to high-risk, diverse populations. From there she worked in the pharmaceutical industry as a Hospital Sales Manager in Albuquerque, NM and El Paso, Texas and then as the executive director for a community-based nonprofit where she consulted with foundations reviewing grant funding requests and evaluating diversity outreach strategies.

Mira has an MA in International & Intercultural Communications from the University of Denver (a joint degree between the then School of Communications and the Josef Korbel School of International Studies) and an MA in Communications from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.

Jane Mall has been at the University of Denver for six years.  The past year she has worked in a brand new role on campus to help faculty, student organizations, and other student groups connect with employers and alumni on a variety of career development opportunities.  Prior to this new role, Jane led a team of employer relations staff whose primary focus is to assist employers with their hiring of the incredibly talented DU students and alumni.  This team creates strategic recruiting plans for employers from nonprofit and startups to large Fortune 500 organizations and connects them campus wide with resources from all of the DU career offices to ensure we present DU as one.  Jane has several years of corporate experience in the software sales industry and has owned and operated two small businesses. She also was a tax preparer for several years. Prior to joining DU, she spent 11 years as Director of Corporate Relations and Director of the Experiential Learning Center at Northern Illinois University in the College of Business. Jane received a B.A. in Finance from Aurora University and an M.S. Ed from Northern Illinois University (NIU) in Adult and Higher Education with an emphasis on Human Resource Development. She has two grown daughters and has replaced them at home with two furry daughters, a golden retriever and an Australian shepard.

In my job, I develop a strategy to engage more students and alumni in Career & Professional Development activities.  I also develop partnerships across campus to integrate career services into the student experience. Overall, my main goal is to ensure that there are quality services available to students and alumni of all backgrounds. I am passionate about helping others to be successful and have a special passion for supporting diverse and first generation students. During my free time, I enjoy hiking, traveling and reading. I am also a big fan of football and the Minnesota Vikings. The career team is a community of staff who is committed to helping students explore their interests, connect with a DU community of support and helping students achieve their goals.

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety. “– Ralph Waldo Emerson

I hold space for students to tell their stories and answer the questions: “Who am I,” “what am I here to do” and “how do I get there”. My end objective is to empower individuals through self-awareness and resource-awareness to move towards their goals. Personally, I am driven to play a part in helping people achieve a meaningful life. I love being in nature and I am especially motivated by activities devoted to personal development including yoga, meditation, and hiking. Our careers define only one part of our identity; and, considering we spend an average of 2,000 hours yearly in our jobs, it is critical to help students and alumni in their pursuit of purposeful lives by teaching them how to plan their careers and leverage their talents and interests.

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which, kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no person could have dreamed would have come their way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” — Goethe

When I was a kid, I wanted to be an Archaeologist (so I could dig up clues) and a writer. Now I enjoy helping students solve their own mysteries and tell their stories.

I serve undergraduate students as the liaison to the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science and Athletics. I support student development and help students translate their experiences to the professional world. I have a particular interest and passion for supporting diverse populations and first generation students.

I have worked in both corporate recruiting, training and development, and higher education. I earned my BA in Sociology from the University of California San Diego and my MA in Higher Education from the University of Denver. Outside of work, I enjoy rock climbing, comedy, and spending time with my dog, Walle.

“I was born to color.” – my 6-year-old niece

Brent Thompson is a part of the employer relations team that builds and cultivates relationships with local, national and international employers connecting Daniels College of Business students and alumni with jobs or internships. In his role, Brent helps generate leads for full-time, part-time, or internship positions and brings local and national awareness for the programs at the Daniels College of Business. Brent has served in a number of different roles throughout his career in higher education.

Contact Employer Relations Directly: 303.871.4848

“What do you do for students at your job?”

As a Career Peer Advisor I help students realize how important working towards their dream occupation is. From resume, cover letter reviews to resource facilitation,  I give my best to motivate and make sure that career opportunities are visible for those who may need them.

“Who are you? What do you want everyone to know about you? What do you enjoy?” 

I love meeting people and places. I enjoy cultural and sport events and I am a huge fan of soccer. I believe that investing in our own self development and being thankful at all times are key to happiness.

“Why are the Career Center services meaningful?”

Our careers need time investment and a second opinion on career related decisions can be eye-opening. I will be thrilled to listen to your story and help you materialize your skills and opportunities.

“In a quote, what do you say to yourself and students” 

“Proceed as if success was inevitable…” — Unknown

“What do you do for students at your job?” 

My goal in every interaction with students, whether it’s one-on-one advising or group learning, is to ask the right questions to help each person carve out their own unique professional path. I don’t have all the answers, but I guarantee I will work to help you find them or connect you to the people who know. As an undergraduate, I did not have a positive career advising experience, so my intention is to create the meaningful experience I wish I had for everyone I meet. I hope every student walks away from me knowing at least one thing they didn’t know before.

“Who are you? What do you want everyone to know about you? What do you enjoy?”

I am an incurable optimist. I never say “no” to an opportunity or new experience. My answer to anyone who asks if they should do something – attend an event, take a class, job shadow outside their declared major field, or whatever – is always “Yes, because you just never know!”

Everything that has happened in my life has culminated into this amazing opportunity I have to contribute to the DU community. Career advising is my fourth career, so to speak, but each professional experience has given me the tools to be successful in this role. I have grown through jobs in retail management, healthcare, financial services, non-profit management, independently operated photography and catering businesses – all of these have contributed to my unique skill set and allowed me to craft a lens through which I see unlimited possibilities for myself and others.

Proud to be an amateur at all the things I love: cooking, mixology, yoga, playing the guitar, outdoor adventuring, public speaking, painting and writing.

“Why are the Career & Professional Development services meaningful?”

Career & Professional Development professionals are educators who give people the tools to explore how they can build a life of meaning and empower them to confidently enter the world, knowing where they fit and how they can uniquely contribute. The most interesting careers do not have titles you can search for; they are the careers people create for themselves that allow them to make their distinct mark on the world. We’re here to tell you it’s possible because the people that truly change the world are the ones who can’t wait to get out in it.

“In a quote what do you say to yourself and students?”

I love quotes, so I have a million favorites, but I will quote one of the most creative minds I’ve encountered to date, Austin Kleon, author of “Steal Like an Artist”. This is his list of the 10 things he wished he had heard when he was starting out:

1. Steal like an artist.
2. Don’t wait until you know who you are to get started.
3. Write the book you want to read.
4. Use your hands.
5. Side projects and hobbies are important.
6. The Secret: Do good work and share it with people.
7. Geography is no longer our master.
8. Be nice. (The World is a small town.)
9. Be boring. (It’s the only way to get work done.)
10. Creativity is subtraction.

Education

B.A. in Marketing, Minor in Professional Sales, Spanish

I am a junior at DU currently studying abroad at the University of Glasgow. I grew up in Washington DC, and I loved the snow much I decided to go to school in Colorado. I came in undecided in my major, changed it about two or three times, and am now a very happy Media Studies major and Fine Arts minor. My dream job changes just about every day, but I’d like to think I’d be happy anywhere I end up as long as I can make someone smile. I am hoping to apply for opportunities with AmeriCorps or Teach for America after I graduate and focus on social justice in my career.  

In my job, I meet with students to help with their professional development through resumes, cover letters and professional presence. My role is to support, simplify and help them feel comfortable with the process of professional development.

Personally, I am positive, friendly and like to experience new things and cultures. I spent the summer in Spain for an internship where I was teaching English.

The professionals at Career & Professional Development want to help you be as successful as you can. I found purpose through Career & Professional Development and think everyone can. It can have such a big impact in your life. Come visit, it’s amazing!

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”— Mahatma Ghandi 

Jeff Woods is an Associate Director and Career Coach with Career Services in the Daniels College of Business. As a coach, he focuses on the development of graduate students and alumni whose careers target finance, accounting, and business analytics or positions in the financial services industry.

Prior to moving to Colorado, Jeff lived in the New York Metro area for 30 years. His 23 year career in Human Resources with Merrill Lynch and Bank of America included roles in Employee Relations, Diversity & Inclusion, Recruiting, Organizational and Leadership Development, Total Rewards, and Workforce Technology, Analytics and Business Intelligence. He was involved in several of the firms Mergers and Acquisitions including Smith New Court, Advest, and First Republic as well as the divestiture of Merrill Lynch Investment Management to Blackrock and the acquisition of the firm by Bank of America.

Jeff received his MBA in Marketing and Management from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at NYU. While there he delivered and managed consulting with the Urban Business Assistance Corporation (UBAC), a student run consulting firm focused on Minority/Women-Owned businesses and Non-Profit organizations. He has a BA in Music from Harding University.