Get to Know Our Career Coaches

Sara grew up in Wheaton, IL and lived there until moving to Harrisburg, PA to attend Messiah College.  She studied Psychology with a Clinical concentration and interned with various social service agencies providing support for those in the foster care system, living with Alzheimer’s disease, and exploring their identities as members of the LGBTQ+ community.  While attending Messiah, Sara got involved in the Student Activities Board and developed a love for student affairs.  After graduating, Sara enrolled at Taylor University in Upland, IN to get her Masters in Higher Education and Student Development where she worked as a Graduate Assistant in student programs working with student government, conference planning, and executing concerts and dances.

She is eager to connect with Arts + Science students to help them think through their passions, purposes, and career options.  Sara loves Indian food, supporting underrepresented students, talking and reading about movies, writing and researching, and all things Harry Potter.

Aaron comes from Indianapolis, Indiana where he spent most of his high school years closely involved with music. During his time at IU earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Aaron continued to pursue his musical interests by working as a music educator various high school marching bands in the Indianapolis area. His work with his music students inspired him to pursue a career where he could help students full-time. Now a graduate student, Aaron is working on his degree in Counseling to become a professional Career Coach. To stay close to the arts, Aaron also volunteers time with the Office of Entrepreneurship and Career Development within the Jacob’s School of Music. In his spare time, Aaron enjoys playing saxophone, guitar, video games, and occasionally skateboarding.

Maria grew up 20 minutes outside of Washington, D.C. in McLean, Virginia. She transferred to James Madison University in 2009, and graduated with her B.A. in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communications in 2012. In college, she worked as a lumberjack on a chainsaw crew in Colorado, interned with The New Press in New York City, and had a part-time job at JMU’s disability services office for two years. Prior to her career in higher education, Maria worked by day as an editor at a D.C.-based company that provides IT accessibility services to people with disabilities. By night, she pursued the freelance hustle as an editor and author for gaming studios such as By Night Studios and Onyx Path Publishing.

Moving to the Midwest for graduate school at Miami University of Ohio was a big change for Maria! She completed a two-year graduate assistantship with Miami University’s Center for Career Exploration & Success and graduated with an M.S. in Student Affairs in Higher Education in May 2018. Now, Maria is thrilled to use her industry experience in business and creative environments to serve students in the Media School as a Career Coach. 

Marcia grew up in Georgia, where she enjoyed peaches, pecans, fishing and lots of sports. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Immediately after graduation, she moved to Bloomington where she completed a master’s degree in journalism at IU in 1983. Marcia planned to spend her career as a newspaper reporter, but loved all that IU offered and has worked as a proposal writer, orientation coordinator, career services director and now, a career coach.  She loves coaching students, and working with staff, faculty and alumni. She also likes naps, spending time with family and friends, traveling and trying new cuisines.

Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Yasmin grew up on the East Coast. She graduated from the Central Connecticut State University with a B.A. in Communication and a minor in Journalism. During her undergraduate experience, Yasmin worked with the Women’s Basketball Team as a production manager, was involved with the campus newspaper and the radio station, and was a proud member of the International Association of Business Communicators. Yasmin also earned an M.S. degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Rochester. While pursuing her graduate degree, Yasmin worked with TRIO programs, Undergraduate and Business Graduate Admissions, Greek and Residential life, Multicultural Student Affairs, and international students. Yasmin is committed to initiatives that focus on equity, justice, diversity and inclusion throughout college and the local community. In her free time, Yasmin likes to work out, try new foods, and go on road trips.

Kimberly was born in Massachusetts, but moved from east to west coast multiple times in her formative years, also living in California and Virginia. She completed her Bachelor of Art degrees in Sociology and Spanish Literature at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Studying abroad in Granada, Spain and interning at the World Trade Center in Denver with the Latin American Trade Specialist were highlights of her undergraduate career. Kimberly worked in marketing before moving to Laramie, Wyoming to complete her Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Wyoming, where she also directed the summer session and became passionate about working with students in higher education. She later discovered a love of coaching at the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, assisting volunteers to raise funds for children who need life-saving organ transplants. A lifelong learner who loves adventure, Kimberly seeks new challenges and opportunities to grow. She enjoys spending time with family, cooking, camping, reading, working out, volunteering and spending time with her labs.

What values have shaped your career goals?

From a young age, I always knew I wanted to “help people,” a guiding principle which has led me to be a mission-driven professional throughout my career.

Michael hails from Nashville where he never learned to like country music. He did his undergraduate work in the mountains of Southwest Virginia getting his degree in Spanish: Culture Studies. During this time, he studied abroad in Costa Rica where he spent his weekends getting sunburnt, and in Peru where he got to hang out with ocelots in the Amazon. After graduation he moved to Puerto Rico and taught English at an elementary school. After two years of eating mofongo, he returned to Music City for hot chicken and sweet tea. To pay for this good food, he worked in retail and taught English to adults.

Through one of these ESL connections, Michael had the opportunity to move to Bhutan where he was the reading instructor at a private school in Thimphu. In his downtime, he hiked to the fabled Tiger’s Nest and explored various Dzongs with newfound friends. After a year in the Land of the Thunder Dragon, Michael left the Himalayas and moved to the high desert of northern Arizona to pursue an M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language at Northern Arizona University. Michael spent his weekdays studying and teaching English Composition. His weekends and vacations were spent hiking through the desert and camping under the stars. After graduation, Michael moved back to Nashville where he was an adjunct English teacher at a community college and worked at the corporate office for a Fortune 500 company.

Michael’s passion is to help others achieve their dreams. His interests include trying new cuisine, exploring the outdoors, running, and reading.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
— The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost

Jenna grew up on a cattle ranch in a small town in the great state of Idaho. She received her undergraduate degree from Boise State University in Social Sciences emphasizing in Psychology and Communication. This led to her getting her master’s degree in Counseling while working part time as an academic advisor for the psychology department. After graduation, Jenna worked in a nonprofit organization in Connecticut as a mental health counselor. Before relocating to Indiana, she was very fortunate to work with the military in Southern California as a Military and Family Life Counselor. Jenna is thrilled to be a part of the Walter Center for Career Achievement and working with students along their exciting career journey. She enjoys the outdoors, traveling, anything related to Harry Potter, and spending time with her dog, Gracie, and husband, Josh.

For Angela, being a Career Educator holds a special double meaning.  She has both spent her entire career as an educator of some variety… and she is currently educating about careers!  Angela is amused that her teaching career began with her hometown Tot-Lot program helping preschoolers learn how to cut (and walk) with scissors, and now she finds herself helping college students explore and get cut out for their careers.  Along the way, Angela worked with many students of many ages on their communication skills: writing, listening, and public speaking in particular.  She has also taught education courses, supervised student teachers, and maintains a keen interest in PK-12 education issues.  These days you can find Angela working with students at IU’s Walter Center, helping them recognize and articulate the fabulousness of their Liberal Arts degrees.  Employers want them, and Angela knows how to help students connect the dots.  Angela teaches classes, coaches students, and enjoys being present with students when they contemplate and explore possibilities for their futures.

Will is a Bloomington, IN native and graduate of IU in 2007. He has lived internationally in Africa for 5 years working in developing countries including Nigeria, South Sudan, and Uganda. After returning from Africa in April 2017 he found career coaching to be a great fit for his interests and experiences. Will is excited to continue to have an impact on the world around him by helping students with their career development and discovering their passions.

He has been married to Theresa for 10 years and has a little girl, Ellie. He enjoys the outdoors, reading, and IU sports.

Derrick is a true Hoosier originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Indiana State University for his degrees (B.S., M.S.) in Information Technology and Student Affairs and Higher Education where he found a passion to help mentor students and everyday people to achieve their goals. Derrick is an emerging Student Affairs professional with extensive experience in program development, conflict resolution, residential life, and admissions. Highly effective in working with students across difference and advocating for equitable resources for marginalized populations. A proven leader and established blogger for issues and topics that impact the Student Affairs global community. Derrick would like to pursue a PhD in the future. During his time out of the office, Derrick enjoys practicing self-care by running, spending time with family and friends, and making coffee as a Barista at Starbucks. His favorite beverage is the Pink Drink.