Get to Know Our Career Coaches

Maria grew up 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 tabletop and live-action 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 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.

Pronouns: she / her (What does this mean?)
Languages: English

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.

Pronouns: She/her/hers
Languages: English and Arabic (fluent); Spanish (conversational)

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.

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Geoff was born in Carbondale, Illinois and moved to Zionsville, Indiana in 2012. He is a sophomore interested in studying International Studies with a concentration in Diplomacy, Security, and Governance. He is also pursuing a minor in French Language and Culture and plans to study abroad in France during his undergraduate career at Indiana University. His passion for domestic and global affairs has led him to become involved in various campus advocacy groups such as the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA). After he graduates, he hopes to conduct international research in the French-speaking world. In his free time, he enjoys spending time at coffee shops, reading about the news, watching movies, spending time with friends, and learning new recipes to cook from.

Geoff meets with undergraduate students for drop-in questions in our Career Studio. Come visit and grab some snacks!

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 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.

Pronouns: She/her
Languages: English

Kiki is a born and raised Hoosier, originally from Logansport, Indiana. She is a student here at Indiana University studying Political Science. After her undergraduate studies here at IU, she plans on attending law school to specialize in Immigration Law. Kiki is involved in Indiana University Student Government, Political Science Club, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-law Fraternity, and as well as being a Peer Coach at the Walter Center for Career Achievement. She loves learning, meeting new people, and trying new things. In her free time, you can find her doing homework, attending concerts, spending time with her friends, FaceTiming her two cats, and drinking way too much caffeine.

Kiki meets with undergraduate students for drop-in questions in our Career Studio. Come visit and grab some snacks!

Lara is from Indianapolis and was raised near Fountain Square. She is currently a junior studying anthropology, marketing, and business management at Indiana University. Her date for planned graduation is Spring 2020 but she may return to IU to pursue graduate education. In addition to academics, Lara is also an active participant at La Casa in Bloomington and engages in an urban community in Indianapolis. After relying on the counsel of others to guide her through a diverse educational path, she has gained experience and passion to assist others in having a more thorough comprehension of their futures. Lara enjoys interacting with new people, passing time on the circle, and being with loved ones.

Lara meets with undergraduate students for drop-in questions in our Career Studio. Come visit and grab some snacks!

Kathie is originally from northeast Ohio but has lived in Bloomington for over half of her life. She was inspired to pursue a career in higher education during her college years, working in residence life and on the student union board. She is proud of her liberal arts education from Wheaton College in Illinois where she earned a BA in Interpersonal Communications with a minor in Theology. Kathie also earned her Master’s degree in College Student Personnel Administration from Indiana University. She has worked with college students for most of her career as adjunct faculty, an academic advisor, and most recently as an assistant director for the Career Development Center. Kathie is a certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory practitioner and is currently in training to be a Board Certified Coach.

Kathie loves coaching and teaching at the college level, and is passionate about helping students realize their potential and to discover what makes them “come alive.” Kathie enjoys watching sports & movies, reading, traveling, and taking long walks. But her favorite thing to do is spend time with Matt, her husband of over 25 years, with her four children, Gretchen, Mark, Allison, and David, and with her bernadoodle, Schatzi.

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

~Howard Thurman

Emily is currently a Junior at IU from Bedford, Indiana, majoring in Social Work and minoring in Studio Art. She is a Cox Legacy Scholar and also a Peer Coach for New Student Orientation which takes place in the summer. She also works at the Lilly Library in conservation where she restores old books and artifacts. She has a passion for social justice which is why she chose to major in social work and also loves working with people and helping others. She is minoring in Studio Art mostly because she has always loved drawing and it is a stress-reliever for her. For fun, she enjoys hiking, drawing, baking, and hanging out with friends and family.

Emily meets with undergraduate students for drop-in questions in our Career Studio. Come visit and grab some snacks!

Trevor was born and raised in southeast Michigan, where he also attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. After graduating with concentrations in Art History and German, he continued with graduate school at Yale University, where he studied Medieval Art and Architecture.

Prior to joining the Walter Center in the fall of 2018, Trevor worked as an instructor at several institutions where he enjoyed connecting students with courses, study abroad programs, scholarships, and internship opportunities. He had the pleasure of meeting students from varied backgrounds and enjoyed helping them discern their goals and interests. As a Career Coach, Trevor draws on these experiences to unite students with the phenomenal resources at the Walter Center and to enthusiastically champion the extraordinary career possibilities in the liberal arts at IU.

An avid home cook, Trevor enjoys making all varieties of cuisine (though French is a favorite). He is also a running enthusiast and connoisseur of vintage computers and video games.

Jocelyn is a junior from Cincinnati, Ohio majoring in International Studies with a concentration in Global Health and Environment. In addition, she is minoring in Chemistry and Spanish. In the future, Jocelyn wants to attend medical school and practice urban primary care. At IU, Jocelyn is involved with College Mentors for Kids and MEDLIFE. In her free time, Jocelyn enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. Jocelyn has spent many years as a camp counselor which has helped her develop her passion for helping others.

Sara grew up California and lived there until she moved to Utah to study at Brigham Young University (BYU). As an undergrad she studied communications, focusing on public relations. It was there she discovered her love for words and observing how people interact with them. After graduation, Sara worked for an international health food company as project manager for their Asia Pacific offices. She then went on to get her MA in linguistics at BYU. While deliberating and then pursuing a master’s degree, Sara taught Indonesian at BYU and English as a Foreign Language at Utah Valley University. Her research areas focus on socio-, historical and corpus linguistics. After her master’s degree, Sara spent a year as a corpus linguistics research fellow at BYU Law School, designing a program to teach legal professionals how to integrate linguistics into legal research. Sara has enjoyed living internationally during her studies, spending time in Indonesia, Malaysia and Egypt. Sara is eager to continue working with students and helping them navigate their futures.

Sara loves traveling, reading, exploring the outdoors and experimenting with new recipes.