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Career Development Center

CDC Staff

Page address: http://www.mnsu.edu/cdc/about/staff.html

Pam Weller Director Email: pamela.weller@mnsu.edu	As CDC Director, Pam is responsible for management of the University’s initiatives in the areas of career exploration and career development. This includes management of the CDC’s planning processes, personnel, and resources; providing oversight for all Center programs and services; development of on and off-campus partnerships and collaborations; and serving as part of the Student Affairs Division leadership team. A proud alumna of Minnesota State Mankato, Pam has been a staff member in the Career Development Center since January of 1995. She was previously employed as a counselor at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Pam is also Past-President of the Minnesota State Mankato Alumni Association and the Minnesota College & University Career Services Association and is an active member of a number of University Committees. She is also involved with Greater Mankato Growth and serves as a GMG Ambassador.
Deenna Latus Assistant Director Email: deenna.latus@mnsu.edu	Deenna Latus is the Assistant Director in the Career Development Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato who is the liaison to the Colleges of Allied Health & Nursing, Business, and Science, Engineering & Technology. In this role, Deenna presents to academic classes and student organizations, and meets with students individually, on topics including the internship and job search, resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, preparing for graduate school, networking, and additional career-related topics. Deenna coordinates the annual on-campus Career & Internship Expo each fall, and the Minnesota State Universities Job & Internship Fair which is held in Minneapolis in the spring. Deenna also oversees employer outreach and campus recruiting. Her goal is to connect students and alumni with employers and career opportunities. If you attend an Etiquette Dinner on campus, Deenna will be your presenter as she is a Certified Etiquette Consultant. She also teaches as an adjunct faculty member for the College of Business. Outside of Minnesota State Mankato, Deenna is very involved with the Minnesota College and University Career Services Association, where she has served in a number of roles, including President of this state-wide career organization. Prior to beginning her position at Minnesota State Mankato, she completed her Master’s degree in Community Counseling at St. Cloud State University and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a Biology minor, at Drake University.
Kristin Underwood Assistant Director Email: kristin.underwood@ mnsu.edu	As an Assistant Director and liaison to the Colleges of Arts & Humanities, Education, and Social & Behavioral Sciences, Kristin is often delivering classroom presentations on resume building, job searching, networking, graduate school, and interviewing, and helping students one-on-one through individual appointments. Additionally, Kristin helps coordinate many career-related events including the Government & Nonprofit Career Fair, Speed Networking 101, the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Career Day, and the Minnesota Education Job Fair. Kristin also supervises five staff members and oversees the Graduate Follow-up Survey which requires following up with 85% of all Minnesota State alumni to capture their post-graduate plans. Kristin is currently chairing the search for the Assistant Director of the LGBT Center, a member of the Honors Council, and teaches a First Year Experience Seminar. Kristin is also highly active in the Minnesota Colleges and Universities Career Services Association (MCUCSA). Kristin received her Master of Science in Counseling and Student Personnel-Student Affairs from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2006 and her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Sociology from Iowa State University in 2003.
Matt Carlson Career Exploration Coordinator Email: explorecareers@ mnsu.edu	Matt Carlson is the Career Exploration Coordinator in the Career Development Center at Minnesota State Mankato. He teaches students to act or behave in ways that will support their desire to build a satisfactory life and career. He regularly meets with individual students as they choose and change academic majors. Matt provides career counseling and advising to students and alumni primarily focusing on career planning and exploration. He also coordinates the Career Resource Library and online resources including the FOCUS2 Career Planning System, the Strong Interest Inventory and the MBTI career assessments. Matt is available to teach sessions or lead workshops on career development related topics. To support students seeking relevant part-time jobs, Matt helps coordinate several events including the Fall Campus & Community Fair and the Summer Job Fair. Matt recently earned a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership and has a Master of Science in Counseling: College Student Affairs.
Brenda Garbers Recruitment Coordinator Email: brenda.garbers@ mnsu.edu	As Recruitment Coordinator, Brenda works closely with employers looking for talent to supplement their work force. Whether employers are hosting an info session, taking part in a career fair or conducting on-campus interviews, or simply considering college recruitment for the first time and wondering where to start, she answers questions, coordinates arrangements and communicates with students about opportunities available to them. She approves employers and job postings on MavJobs.com and is the registrar for several CDC-sponsored events. Brenda also serves as office manager, monitoring budgets and purchasing supplies for the CDC and supervising student payroll for all of our graduate assistants and student staff. Brenda has almost 35 years of service to MSU, including ten years in the Career Development Center and prior administrative support positions in the College of Science, Engineering & Technology and the School of Nursing.
Kristine Norland Receptionist Email: kristine.norland@mnsu.edu	Kris manages the CDC's front desk staff, provides administrative and scheduling support for the CDC's professional staff, and helps direct students, alumni, faculty/staff, and employers to the appropriate CDC and campus resources. Kris is a proud MSU alumna and first joined the Career Development Center in 1971, managing student credentials and later overseeing the Graduate Follow-up calling and tracking processes for the CDC office. Outside of the CDC, Kris is a member of the Blue Earth County Historical Society and the Sons of Norway. She helps with the MSU Move Crew every year and also volunteers with the MSU Campus Kitchen.
Chris Lienemann Technology & Information Specialist Email: christopher.lienemann@mnsu.edu	Chris’s responsibilities include administering MavJobs, developing and maintaining the CDC website (www.mnsu.edu/cdc), managing data collection and reporting for the CDC’s services including the Graduate Follow-Up survey, overseeing the CDC’s social media planning and execution, and coordination of the CDC’s computer/technology support. Prior to joining the CDC, Chris worked as an enterprise software support professional in a variety of industries, including accounting, telecommunications, and healthcare information, in addition to a background in retail management. On campus, Chris is a member of the Enrollment Management Steering Group, and the Learning and Technology Roundtable advisory committee.
Josh Foss Graduate Assistant Email: joshua.foss@mnsu.edu	Josh is currently a first-year graduate assistant in the Career Development Center. As a member of the graduate staff, Josh’s role is to help students improve their resumes and covers letters, give them the tools to increase their effectiveness as job searching, provide counseling to students trying to decide on a major or a career, and provide various other career-related services to students in need. Josh is a graduate of Arizona State University. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science in 2008. He was also a member of Golden Key International and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Prior to moving to Mankato, Josh was working with K-6 students as a math tutor. Josh will graduate in 2016 with a Master of Science Degree in Counseling & Student Personnel: College Student Affairs.
Antonio Moore Graduate Assistant Email: antonio.moore@mnsu.edu	Antonio is currently enrolled in the Educational Leadership master’s program at Minnesota State University, Mankato. As a graduate assistant in the Career Development Center Antonio assist students with their career aspirations by providing career counseling with useful services such as; resume review, mock interviews and personal statements reviews. Antonio is an alumnus at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He received his bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Ethnic Studies. He is a former McNair Scholar in which he presented research at the Undergraduate Symposium spring 2013. As an Education Talent Search mentor for high school students, Antonio was able to encourage students to reach their highest potential and motivate students to attend college while sharing about his own college experience. He is well recognized in Student Financial Services for his ability to be a role model to perspective students.