Team

I am an Associate Director and Career Coach with Career Services in the Daniels College of Business.   I coach graduate students and alumni in all areas of career readiness and development to include a new job search, developing branding materials, job search strategies, adapting to various work cultures, thriving amidst organizational change and more.

I bring over 35 years of experience working for Fortune 500 organizations in financial services, healthcare and in the private, non-profit and government sectors.  I successfully led high performing individuals and teams at JP Morgan, Wells Fargo, CU Health and The Colorado Lottery.  I am passionate about helping professionals, and bring a pragmatic approach to the process along with a results-driven style.  I’ve personally demonstrated success by navigating across multiple and diverse career lanes, both unusual and challenging for a career path today.

For fun I enjoy my two dogs (Stella, a Soft-Coated Wheaten, and Luigi, a Lagotto Romagnolo) with daily walks around Wash Park, great fiction and cooking up amazing food at home!

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.

My name is Ashton Butler (she/her/hers) and I am the Career Advisor for Korbel undergraduates, as well as the liaison for graduate and undergraduate international students. My background is in business management and human resources – I graduated from the University of Denver in June of 2020 with a Master of Arts in Higher Education. I utilize my background in business combined with my passion for student development and growth to support students with their career goals. My goal is to help student cultivate their strengths, interests, and passion to find careers that are fulfilling.

I can be found hiking, reading, working out or binge watching Netflix. I am an enthusiast of Taco Bell, cats, Harry Potter, and Elton John.

Education:
Master of Arts (MA), Higher Education Administration, University of Denver
Bachelor of Business Administration, Management/Human Resources, Georgia Southern University

“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

Susan Goodwin has 14 years of experience in career services and coaches Daniels graduate students in career development including job search strategies, networking, negotiation, resume and cover letter writing and interview preparation. She also creates and facilitates career related workshops and works with companies to promote graduate employment.

Originally from Streator, IL, she also called Florida and Tennessee home before moving to Colorado in 1996. She loves to travel and has been to all 50 states and 32 countries. She has two grown daughters who both reside in the Denver metro area.

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.

For over 20 years, I have been a part of Career & Professional Development assisting students and alumni find the courage to discover their strengths, interests and directions in their career path. Each person has a unique story to tell and it is my goal to help guide them in discovering what that story is trying to tell them about themselves. 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’ve worked at the University of Denver for 12+ years in the Sturm College of Law, Daniels College of Business, Alumni Relations and for the last four years in Alumni Career & Professional Development. The favorite part of my week is the opportunity to talk with alumni, hear their stories and find ways to help them achieve their professional goals.

I’m a connector and enjoy teaching people how to tap into their networks to form mutually beneficial relationships. DU alumni are an incredibly accomplished group and the DU network is an invaluable asset.

In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, golf, travel and spending time with my husband, two sons and daughter-in-law, three of whom are proud DU alumni.

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

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 Josef Korbel School of International Studies (majors: International Studies and Public Policy), as well as Pre-Law.

“Why are Career & Professional Development’s 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?” Then we help you with strategizing how to get 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.

“What is a quote you find inspirational?”

“When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.” —Toni Morrison

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

Catherine serves as a career coach for undergraduate students at the Daniels College of Business. Catherine has a passion for connecting with others and aiding in their professional journeys and personal growth. She provides 1:1 coaching to students and facilitated workshops on professional development related topics such as; networking, resume and cover letter revisions, negotiation, LinkedIn, interviewing skills and more! One of her favorite parts of her job is teaching the Daniels Professional Development Program for Daniels undergraduate students.

After growing up a military family and living in Nebraska, Massachusetts, Wyoming, England and Colorado, Catherine has a love for traveling, cooking and experiencing new places. It was this same experience that ignited her curiosity and appreciation for other cultures. Catherine believes that everyone has unique perspectives and experiences that they bring to the table and she enjoys helping students uncover their story and aligning it with their professional goals.

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.

Linda is part of the employer relations team that builds and cultivates relationships with local, national and international employers to connect Daniels College of Business students and alumni with jobs or internships.  In her role, Linda works closely with employers to create customized on-campus recruiting opportunities including Employer Meet & Greets, Information Sessions, Lunch & Learns, and Interview Days.  She is also one of the administrators for our online job portal known as Pioneer Careers, which currently runs on the 12twenty platform.

Mira Morton Luna is the Associate Director of Employer and Career Development at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver where she focuses on training and coaching students and alumni for careers in International Affairs and developing connections and partnerships with employers around the world.

Ms. Morton Luna has nearly 20 years of training and outreach experience and has worked with nonprofit organizations, foundations and private sector businesses as well as consulted for state and federal governments. She has been an adjunct professor focused on communications and diversity. She is currently the chair of the Diversity & Inclusion committee for the Korbel School of International Studies as well as a member of the Staff of Color Association for the University of Denver and spearheaded outreach and trainings about Title IX and harassment for student going on experiential learning programs.

Ms. Morton Luna has worked in career development since 2006 and she has lived and worked in Argentina and Chile. She is SHRM-CP certified and has given presentations and workshops at national and regional conferences for NACE, CCSA, NAFSA, APSIA, ADA and Girls Count. Ms. Morton Luna has a MA in International Intercultural Communications from the University of Denver and a BA degree in Communications from Lewis & Clark College.

Ms. Morton Luna is a Colorado native and she loves to read, travel and partake in various fitness activities, (although most of  her free time for the past few years has involved going to track and swim meets for her kids).

Jane Mall has been at the University of Denver since 2012.  In her current role as Director of Campus Engagement, she develops engagement strategies for faculty outreach and student organizations and also develops programming to help students reach their Career Milestone through a variety of career development opportunities.  She also manages the successful student nominated Faculty Career Champion initiative.  Prior to this role, Jane led a team of employer relations staff at DU whose primary focus is to assist employers with their hiring of the incredibly talented DU students and alumni.  Prior to joining DU, she spent 11 years as the Director of Corporate Relations and Director of the Experiential Learning Center at Northern Illinois University in the College of Business. Jane also has several years of corporate sales experience in the software industry and has owned and operated two small businesses.  Jane received a B.A. in Finance from Aurora University and a M.S. Ed from Northern Illinois University (NIU) in Adult and Higher Education with an emphasis on Human Resource Development. 

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, which makes me a huge bagel and pizza snob. But, being a New Yorker also taught me how to appreciate and work with people from all walks of life, which is why I love working with DU students!

I serve undergraduate STEM students as a liaison to the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science and Natural Sciences & Mathematics. I support student development and help students translate their experiences to the professional world. I have a particular interest and passion for supporting student athletes and first generation students.

I have been a higher education professional for over 10 years. I’ve worked for other higher education institutions such as Ohio University, George Mason University, and George Washington University in disciplines such as Admissions, Advising, Marketing, and Recruiting. As a STEM student myself, I earned my BS in Hearing, Speech & Language Sciences from Ohio University and my MPS in Strategic Public Relations from the George Washington University. I am also currently a doctoral student in the Higher Education Administration program at DU! Outside of work, I enjoy skiing, cooking, and working with my photography business. Fun fact: In undergrad I was in an underground break dancing group! I am also ambidextrous and allergic to bananas.

“We are all just trying to turn hard work into chicken nuggets.” – Matt Bellasai

Education:

• Current Doctoral Student (EdD), Higher Education, University of Denver
• Master of Professional Studies, Strategic Public Relations – The George Washington University
• Bachelor of Science in Hearing, Speech & Language Science – Ohio University

My name is Rita O’Connell (she/her/hers) and I serve undergraduate STEM students in the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science as well as Natural Science and Mathematics. I also work as the Arrow Fellow where I help DU students get connected with internships and full-time experience at Arrow Electronics.

I earned my BA in Psychology and Certificate in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. I am currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Higher Education from the University of Denver and will graduate in June 2021. I utilize my background in peer advising and psychology to support students in their career discovery and growth. With each connection that I form, I hope to make students feel helped, heard, and empowered.

Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, skiing, walking around Washington Park, binge-watching the latest Netflix show, and visiting restaurants around Denver. I am also a HUGE dog lover and will ask to see a picture of your dog without shame.

Education:
Master of Arts (MA), Higher Education, University of Denver (in progress)
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Certificate in Criminal Justice, The University of Wisconsin – Madison

In my job, I develop a strategy to engage more students and alumni in quality and meaningful career development activities to help clients achieve careers and lives of purpose.  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 clients. I have a bachelor of science degree in  English Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s degree in educational psychology, with an emphasis in career counseling in higher education from the University of Minnesota.

During my free time, I enjoy hiking, traveling, gardening and reading. As a Minnesota native, I also enjoying cheering on the Minnesota Vikings during football season!

Favorite Quote/Poem:

“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.

Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in. Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Megan Pritchett is the Graduate Career Advisor for current students and first year alumni in University College, the Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP), and the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS). She received her Master of Science degree in Career Counseling from California State University, Sacramento (stingers up!) and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Scripps College.

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

I support graduate students in all aspects of their career development, regardless of if they’re just starting their professional journey or are already leaders in their industry. I can support students with the practical aspects of their career development, including editing resumes and cover letters, developing LinkedIn profiles, networking, negotiating, and finding jobs and internships. I also support students with career decision making and setting professional goals.

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

Learning is a core part of who I am, so I’m always reading a new book or listening to a podcast. When not at the office, I enjoy art museums, trying new restaurants, and anything outdoors (yoga, running, hanging out at my local park).

“Why are Career Center services meaningful?”

We spend so much time during our lives at work, so I think it’s worth taking time to think through how we spend those hours. There is a lot of pain in the world around vocation and work, and I want to be a part of replacing that frustration with more purpose and meaning.

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

Instead of focusing on a big career “decision”, think about one small action step that you can take today – it could create an unplanned opportunity.

In my role, I create and execute the strategy surrounding how we connect our employer community to our student population for the best, and most relevant, internship and career opportunities. My team has built our strategy around leveraging our unique, Global Networks, model and expanding on the ideas and principles of a oneDU community. This model and school of thought have enabled me to include voices into our outreach plan that help to better serve our students. By making space for our students, alumni and faculty/staff to provide input into our work we provide something different and more valuable to our students than simple industry trends.

I have a Bachelors degree from Washington State University in Business Administration with a minor in Human Resources and an MBA from the University of San Diego with dual emphases in Corporate Social Responsibility and Finance.

In my free time I like to create art of all types as well as hike, camp and be outdoors.

My favorite quote is: “Be A Rainbow In Somebody Else’s Cloud” – Dr. Maya Angelou

I am originally from Southern California, but am now thrilled to call Colorado home. I have lived in every time zone in the contiguous United States, and am a proud Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Georgia 2009-2011). I also hold an MA from the University of Denver in International and Intercultural Communication. I am currently a Career Advisor, having previously served as the Internship Program Manager in the Office of Career and Professional Development serving graduate students at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies.

Students’ success has always been focus of my work.  With over a decade of professional work in student affairs and higher education, I’ve had the opportunity to serve in roles within career services, student affairs, student organizations and advising, and housing and residence life.

As a Career Development Advisor of the Graduate School of Social Work, I assist current MSW students and recent graduates in exploring the career field of social work, showcasing their best professional self in job search documents and social media platforms, and achieving their first professional position.

I’m a driven and engaged professional motivated to help students connect and graduates succeed!

I am fortunate to be part of the Employer Relations team at the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver. My team is responsible for building and cultivating relationships with local, national and international employers. I help companies bring their recruiting strategies to life on the University of Denver campus and generate employer engagement with the students of Daniels College of Business as companies recruit them for full-time, part-time, and internship positions. I grew up in Denver and have raised my two daughters here. We enjoy all things outdoors and revel in the beauty of Colorado’s hiking trails, ski slopes and golf courses.

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

In my role, I lead our student employment program to offer enhanced service to both students and their supervisors. I develop strategy and manage all functions of Student Employment, including supporting supervisors in developing and marketing positions and training supervisors to provide excellent employment experiences, with emphasis on the intersection of diversity, equity & inclusion with professional topics. Our goal is to provide equitable and meaningful learning opportunities to all student employees and to support student supervisors in providing high quality experiences.

Prior to this position, I worked as a career career coach & advisor to students and managed departmental student employee programs. I have also 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 bike touring with my partner, rock climbing, comedy, and spending time with my dogs, Walle and Tiny.

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

Elise Goss-Alexander supports student employees and their supervisors at the University of Denver in creating meaningful employment opportunities to prepare students for post-graduation career outcomes. In her role, Elise builds partnerships across campus and provides training to student employees on professional development and diversity, equity, and inclusion topics.

Before joining DU in October 2020, Elise worked as a graduate career advisor with American University’s School of International Service, where she supported service-oriented students in exploring and pursuing impactful, sustainable careers. In this position, she served on the Technology and Diversity & Inclusion committees of the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE). Previously, she worked in human rights and foreign policy. Elise holds a BA in international studies and religious studies from American University and an MTS in religion, ethics, and politics from Harvard Divinity School.

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

BIOGRAPHY AT A GLANCE
Stephanie Van Cleve-DeHerrera is the Associate Director of Hospitality Career Services in the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management at the Daniels College of Business. Stephanie serves as the career advisor to the students, oversees all employer relations activities for the School, and manages the LEAD Mentorship Program. As a native to Colorado, Stephanie brings with her nearly 15+ years experience in the hospitality industry—recently as a meeting architect at Kinsley Meetings, and as former deputy director for the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association.

EDUCATION
Graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and a minor in Journalism.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Stephanie currently serves as immediate past chair of the City & County of Denver’s Workforce Development Board; a position appointed by the Mayor, which works to help align economic development, education, and workforce partners towards an effective job-driven workforce development system within Denver.

Stephanie also serves as treasurer of the board for the Hospitality Human Resource Association.

HOBBIES/INTERESTS
Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, and fixing up her home.

• Hometown: none, but if you ask me, I am proudly from the Desert Southwest. I have lived in some of the world’s hottest places!
• Undergraduate degree: Urban Planning, from Arizona State University. I love “nerding out” on anything city design and planning related!
• I feel energized when I am riding my bike, on an awesome trail: sun out, wind in my hair, and breaking a sweat.
• A piece of career advice I would give my 20-year-old self: Listen to your heart, there is no “one correct way” to reach your goals. Also, what you do matters more than how much you make.
• Something surprising about me is that English is my second language.
• If you want to see me on the dance floor, play anything Latin – I love merengue, salsa, bachata, plena, and even Duranguense music too!
• One of my favorite books that I would recommend is “Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Klein. It is a fictional story based on historically accurate events, and touches on topics of identity, prejudice, social issues, and foster care, all wrapped up in a beautiful story of a very unlikely friendship.

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.  

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, business analytics, consulting and all positions in the financial services industry.  His overall focus in working with individuals is to ensure that they have both the resources and the opportunity to show up as their Authentic, Ever Evolving selves within their work and careers.  His favorite recommendation – “Be You.”

Prior to moving to Colorado, Jeff lived in the New York Metro area for 30 years. His work in Human Resources with Merrill Lynch/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 as well as the divestiture of Merrill Lynch Investment Management to Blackrock and the acquisition of the firm by Bank of America. Prior to his move into HR, he held roles in sales and marketing in both B2B and Consumer Package Goods.

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.

Hello!  I’m Courtney, and I am currently pursuing my M.A. in Higher Education and serving as the Graduate Fellow in the Office of Career & Professional Development. I enjoy advising students in one-on-one advising sessions, and I am available to see students in any major. As Graduate Fellow, I also run the Career Closet, a resource where DU students can access professional attire to keep for free. Starting during the Fall Quarter 2020, the Career Closet will be permanently located in the new Burwell Center for Career Achievement. Finally, I am the Career Center’s liaison for students in the Disability Services Program, Learning Effectiveness Program, and other students who identify as part of the disability community. Please reach out to me with any questions–I look forward to connecting with you!

Hi! My name is Kit Bernal (she/her/hers). I’m a career peer advisor, which means I am here to help you with all aspects of your career development! Together we can collaborate, edit, discuss, and ask and answer questions about professionalism, professional development, application materials like cover letters and resumes, and more.

I’m a second year art history master’s student with  a concentration in museum studies, and you can usually find me reading or watching movies and drinking too much coffee. My passions are photography, museums (maybe obviously), and my hairless cat, Calvin.

I believe strongly in the importance of building and creating relationships for both personal and professional success and fulfillment. I’m so excited to be a part of your professional development and can’t wait to work with you on your goals!

In my role as a Peer Advisor, I work with DU students to support them in their career goals and build their resumes and cover letters. I also provide guidance to students on campus through sharing resources and information about professional development.

During my time at DU I have utilized Career and Professional Development’s resources and taken all I have learned and used it to further my own personal and professional development. I think the skills and resources that Career and Professional Development provide are useful in college, but can also be used in the future as well. I wanted to be a part of students’ professional development and help them achieve their goals as CPD has done for me.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family, painting, golfing and listening to music.

Favorite Quote:

“Be messy and complicated and afraid and show up anyway.” – Glennon Doyle Melton

My role as a Career Peer Advisor is to connect with students and help them move forward professionally. Whether it be working on a resume or crafting a cover letter, I work to make the process clear and enjoyable for students as they work towards their goals.

Outside of work, I love being in nature and going on walks, hikes or exploring new neighborhoods in Denver. I enjoy writing and photography, and I am a part of a start-up publication on campus called Daniels Journal.

Career and Professional Development is such an incredible place to work because everyone is so supportive of one another. My favorite part about my role is watching a student’s confidence grow as they make strides in their professional journey. Having the opportunity to work alongside people who share the same passion of helping students advance is so inspiring and motivates me to continue pursuing my dreams.

Hello! My name is Mykaela and I am an undergraduate student here at DU majoring in Ecology and Geography. I was born and raised in Denver and I absolutely love animals and the outdoors.

As a Career Peer Advisor, I hold drop-in appointments for both graduate and undergraduate students at DU. I work to guide students in tailoring their resume and cover letter to highlight their skills, strengths, and experience. My goal is to help students feel positive and prepared when it comes to application materials.

I know first-hand that the process of career planning can be daunting and stressful. But the team at Career & Professional Development can make the process less intimidating and help you to feel more confident about achieving your career goals. So, don’t be afraid to ask us for help. We are here to support you!

Hello! My name is Sophia Mellsop and I am a DU undergraduate student majoring in Finance and President of DU’s Undergraduate Women in Business organization. I’m from Salida, Colorado and I love tough workouts, cheesy rom-coms, and spending time outdoors with friends and family.

As a Peer Career Advisor, I hold drop-in and scheduled advising appointments to help undergraduate students enhance their resumes and cover letters, develop professionalism, and achieve their career aspirations. My hope is that students walk away feeling excited, energized, and inspired about their career journey.

Working in Career & Professional Development has helped me discover the value of my own story and has empowered me to pursue my career goals. What I love most about this role is to witness students gain self-confidence and take pride in what makes them unique.

After living in Santa Cruz, California for three years, Jamie is excited to be returning to the University of Denver. She has spent the last 12 years of her career developing and managing academic units in higher education. Most recently, she served as Assistant Director for the Program in Jewish Studies at CU Boulder, where she was responsible for developing the departments internship program. She is passionate about helping students integrate their academic experience with their personal and professional aspirations and inspiring a passion for life-long learning. The internship program placed students domestically and internationally in Israel and the West Bank. Prior to working at CU Boulder, Jamie was the Assistant Director for the Center for Judaic Studies at DU. In addition to higher education, Jamie has worked in international corporate settings and has extensive experience in non-profit management.

An avid traveler, she has experience building cultural education programs and working in cross-cultural settings. Jamie has lived and worked in Hong Kong and Japan with extensive travel experience throughout Western Europe, South East Asia, Central and South America, Israel and the West Bank. She holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from the University of Colorado Boulder.