Large-scale career fairs can be exciting—but also overwhelming—for students navigating high expectations, crowded environments, and performance pressure. This 30-minute roundtable will explore an innovative Standard Operating Procedure: the Care Spotter Team model implemented at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University during the Spring Career Fair and Fall Career EXPO. Participants will learn how cross-campus collaboration between the Center for Career and Professional Development, the ERAU Counseling Center, and trained Eagle-2-Eagle peer supporters creates a proactive response system for students experiencing mental health events or physical distress.
The discussion will outline identification protocols, peer-to-peer de-escalation strategies, escort procedures, and the implementation of a “Rest & Re-Set Room” equipped with calming resources and on-site professional staff. Attendees will engage in dialogue about staffing models, training considerations, risk management, and scalable implementation strategies. This session is ideal for institutions seeking to intentionally integrate well-being, belonging, and student-centered care into high-impact recruiting events.
Career Center Outreach and Expo Manager, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Lizz Giordano is a career services professional with more than eight years of experience in employer relations, career advising, and large-scale recruiting initiatives. She currently serves as Career Center Outreach & Expo Manager at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where she... Read More →
As early-career hiring continues to evolve, employers and career development professionals are seeing shifts in interview expectations, candidate readiness, and communication skills. This roundtable will examine what employers currently seek in early-career talent, the interview questions being used across industries, and how students are performing in real-world interview settings. Participants will explore emerging student strengths, common challenges and habits that hinder interview success, and practical strategies institutions and employer partners can use to better prepare students for today's hiring landscape. Emphasis will be placed on collaboration between career services and employer relations teams to align student preparation with workforce expectations and support stronger interview outcomes for the next generation of talent.
Program Director | Lecturer, UCF | College of Business
Amy is a 15+ human resources professional with 5 years of experience in higher education, including designing learning experiences, coaching emerging professionals, and leading workforce development initiatives across organizational settings. Currently serving as a university instructor... Read More →
Today's career decision making process is influenced by rapidly changing labor markets, competitive academic environments, and societal pressure to achieve. These factors may intensify student stress, burnout, and self doubt which directly shape how students select majors, engage in career exploration, and build professional identities. This roundtable will examine the deeply interconnected relationship between student well-being and career development in higher education. Career development professionals play a significant role in creating environments that support not only student career success but also student career wellbeing. By focusing more on building a supportive career development, higher education institutions can help this next generation navigate their paths with confidence, clarity, and resilience.The session invites participants to collectively rethink advising practices, program design, and collaboration strategies that contribute to a supportive career development ecosystem. Through shared dialogue, participants will explore approaches that emphasize balance, purpose, and student well-being related to the career decision-making process.
Assistant Director, Career Planning, University of Central Florida
Alexandra Minnick is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who currently works with traditional and nontraditional college students in the Central Florida community. She currently works as the Assistant Director of Career Planning at UCF Career Services for the last 3 years. She has 6... Read More →
OBBBA is now law, and career centers across Florida are racing to figure out what "demonstrated experiential learning" and "measurable career outcomes" actually require in practice. Most directors are still building the answer in real time. This roundtable convenes career services leaders for a tactical exchange: what counts as experiential learning under the new requirements, how are you tracking it, what audit trail are you building, and where are your current systems most exposed? Facilitated by Rahul Jindal, the conversation draws on lessons from 200+ career center director interviews to surface concrete approaches institutions are already piloting. Participants leave with a working checklist of what to track, what to document, and what to fix before the next academic year. Bring one question, one example, and one challenge from your campus.
We help students across 80+ universities get hired with scalable career readiness tools: professional attire (CareerCloset), formulaic prep for career fairs, and international student visa support. Designed for tight budgets, our solutions are employer-funded and impact-driven.
This roundtable explores best practices for the ethical, responsible, and effective use of artificial intelligence in career coaching. As AI-powered tools increasingly shape resume development, career exploration, skills assessment, and job search strategies, career professionals must balance innovation with student-centered, values-driven practice. Participants will discuss opportunities for AI tools that enhance human coaching, while addressing concerns related to bias, data privacy, accessibility, transparency, and overreliance on automation. The session will emphasize equity-minded decision-making, institutional guidelines, and coaching frameworks that preserve empathy, agency, and critical thinking. Through discussion and shared experiences, attendees will leave with initial ideas to start designing, or bettering their processes for strategies, guiding principles, and reflective questions to support responsible AI integration in career services. This roundtable is designed for career educators seeking to thoughtfully adopt emerging technologies while maintaining professional ethics and meaningful student engagement.
To better guide the next generation of students at the University of Central Florida, the Kenneth G. Dixon Career Development Center is evolving its outreach strategy from independent departmental efforts into a unified, centralized model. This innovation in connectivity provides a single "front door" for faculty and student organizations, ensuring a cohesive approach to classroom presentations, labs, and workshops.This roundtable explores the integration of three distinct teams into one collective system: career services, internship opportunities, and graduate/professional school preparation. We will discuss the logistics of a centralized request form and the deployment of a diverse speaker pool to deliver NACE-aligned content, such as the "Don't Cancel That Class" initiative. In comparing 2024-2026 trends, we have developed a data-driven strategy to forecast needs the guide students. Participants will discuss leveraging these insights to build the long-lasting partnerships necessary to turn student career aspirations into reality.
Academic Support Coordinator I, University of Central Florida
As an Academic Support Coordinator I at the University of Central Florida, Riya N. Patel partners closely with faculty partners, ensuring they have the technological tools and resources to drive student success. From managing the Career Services Canvas course to streamlining outreach... Read More →
Student employment is one of the most accessible and scalable ways to engage students, yet it is often underutilized as a tool for career development. This interactive roundtable invites participants to explore how campus jobs can be intentionally designed to support career readiness, skill development, and long-term success. Through guided discussion, attendees will share current challenges, exchange ideas, and identify practical strategies to move student employment beyond transactional work experiences. Whether your institution has a centralized or decentralized model, participants will leave with actionable insights to better align student employment with career outcomes and enhance the overall student experience.
Student Employment/JLD Coordinator, University of South Florida, Tampa
Edson O’Neale has been working in Higher Education for over 15 years with a wide variety of experiences in Student Activities, Advising, Admissions, Student Success and now Career Services. Edson currently serves as the Student Employment/JLD Coordinator at the University of South... Read More →
As AI becomes a foundational workforce skill, institutions must find ways to integrate practical AI experiences across all majors-not just technical fields. This roundtable explores how vibe Coding, a no-code, prompt-driven approach to building AI-powered tools, can be embedded into any course using the Base44. Participants will discuss strategies for incorporating AI skill-building into diverse disciplines, enabling students to move from ideas to functional prototypes-such as portfolios, business tools, or class-specific applications-without prior coding experience.This interactive session will engage attendees through guided prompts, peer discussion, and collaborative brainstorming to identify opportunities and challenges within their own courses. Participants will leave with practical ideas, adaptable frameworks, and strategies to integrate AI-driven learning into their curriculum, enhancing student engagement, creativity, and career readiness outcomes across disciplines.
Elery Rojas is the Director of University Programs and Outreach at Base44, where she empowers educators and innovators to lead in AI and digital presence. With over a decade of experience in higher education, Elery has dedicated her career to advancing student success through career... Read More →
Wellness in the Workplace is an interactive 30-minute roundtable designed for employers, career professionals, and organizational leaders committed to cultivating healthy, human-centered work environments. Together, we will explore how companies are supporting employee wellbeing through meaningful initiatives, ranging from mental health benefits and flexible work structures to creative perks that promote balance, belonging, and resilience. Participants will share current practices, discuss evolving employee expectations, and examine how wellness directly influences engagement, retention, and organizational culture. The session will also highlight how career professionals can empower students to prioritize wellbeing during the job search and evaluate employer wellness offerings. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas and a deeper understanding of how to integrate wellness principles into both workplace strategy and career development support.
Employer Relations Coordinator & Career Coach, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg
Sara A. Sabourin, M.A.Ed. is an Employer Relations Coordinator & Career Coach at the University of South Florida. She is also a certified Sound Healing Practitioner; a certified Mental Health First Aider; and an entrepreneur facilitating Stress Management Technique workshops to corporate... Read More →
This presentation shares the results of a statewide benchmarking study of career services technology across 19 Florida colleges and universities. Evaluating more than 18 platforms across job skills, career exploration, and job search, the study identifies dominant tools such as LinkedIn Learning, Big Interview, and Handshake, highlights emerging momentum around Career Forge, and surfaces widespread dissatisfaction with cost versus actual student utilization. While most platforms are functionally sound, the data reveals consistent challenges: fragmented systems, limited integration, rising subscription costs, and underuse by students. As institutions increasingly turn to free or low-cost AI tools to fill gaps, the presentation argues that technology is no longer the primary bottleneck. Instead, effective adoption depends on intentional team roles, ownership of the student journey, and strategic integration into advising workflows.
Kelli Grogan leads the Career Services Center at Florida College in Tampa, Florida. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Northern Kentucky University, as well as a Master of Rehabilitation Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, both from the University of Kentucky... Read More →
This roundtable discussion explores how intentional, low-stakes networking experiences can strengthen students' career readiness, confidence, and career exploration. Participants will learn about a collaborative networking initiative between Florida Gulf Coast University's Communication program and both the professional and FGCU student chapters of Florida Public Relations Association. The event provided students with an opportunity to practice networking skills in a supportive environment designed to reduce anxiety and encourage authentic professional conversations. Roundtable participants will discuss strategies for creating networking opportunities, preparing students for professional engagement, and partnering with both student organizations and employers to support skill development.
The transition back to work after a significant leave is often viewed as a hurdle to be cleared rather than a creative opportunity. Traditional career models demand linear progression, but life is rarely linear. This roundtable explores how Life Design principles can transform the return to work after life transitions into an intentional, innovative journey. Participants will discuss high-level strategies for reframing re-entry challenges and prototyping flexible pathways that harmonize professional ambition with personal priorities.
Interim Executive Director, New College of Florida
Ciara Suarez has been working in Higher Education since 2019, and returned to the New College of Florida in September 2023 as the Coordinator of Office and Recruitment Services in the Center for Career Engagement and Opportunity. She is also the Coordinator in the Office of Global... Read More →
At New College of Florida, “Careers in Weeks” is a three-day micro-series that builds career readiness through immersive industry exposure and transferable skill development. Each short-format series focuses on a career field such as pre-health, finance and technology, education, or the arts, while pairing practical skill-building activities with reflective exercises that connect students’ academic pathways to professional opportunities. Developed collaboratively by career services staff, faculty, alumni, and local employers, these modules foster career confidence, expand access for underrepresented and international students, and reinforce the relevance of liberal arts education. By embedding career programming into existing campus rhythms, “Careers in Weeks” encourages participation from students who may not self-select into traditional career events. Attendees of this session will learn how to design and implement similar high-impact, equity-minded micro-series at their own institutions, leveraging limited resources while advancing student engagement, retention, and recruitment.
As an educator with a background in customer service, recruitment, and student success, it is my goal to support and expand a network of experiential learning available to all people. I joined the New College CEO team in January 2023 as the Office and Recruitment Services Coordinator... Read More →
Assistant Director & Career Coach, New College of Florida
Ellie joined the New College CEO team in January 2023. Ellie is passionate about helping students realize and reach their full potential. She’s been working with people of all ages since she could remember. Ellie is excited to work alongside students as they navigate their ever-changing... Read More →
Assistant Director & Career Coach, New College of Florida
Ryan joined the New College CEO team in August 2023. He is a Florida native and lifelong learner dedicated to helping students reach their full potential. Ryan began his academic career at the University of South Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance, a Master of... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT Madiera
Hackathons/Buildathons are often perceived as resource-intensive, yet they can be quickly implemented as high-impact, career-focused experiences. This session introduces a scalable model for launching campus hackathons/buildathons in as little as three hours to two days using Base44. Designed for FloridaACE professionals, this presentation highlights how hackathons can drive student engagement, build AI and digital skills, and connect experiential learning to career readiness outcomes. Attendees will learn best practices for planning and facilitating hackathons across disciplines, engaging non-technical students, and aligning events with employer needs. Real examples of student-built tools—such as healthcare management systems and small business solutions—will be shared to demonstrate impact. Participants will leave with a clear framework, actionable resources, and strategies to implement hackathons on their campuses, enhancing student outcomes, employer engagement, and innovative programming across career services and higher education.
Elery Rojas is the Director of University Programs and Outreach at Base44, where she empowers educators and innovators to lead in AI and digital presence. With over a decade of experience in higher education, Elery has dedicated her career to advancing student success through career... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT Indian Shores
Career services professionals are using AI; however, impact depends on strategic, efficient, and responsible application. This session offers practical, human-centered approaches to integrating intelligent tools across student support and operations. We’ll demonstrate how AI can help students clarify skills, explore pathways, and take confident next steps through intentional prompting and structured workflows. We’ll also show how AI streamlines program planning, synthesizes advising notes to support staff reflection, and aligns services with institutional and state priorities, translating data into actionable decisions. Attendees will engage in facilitated small group work to co-create adaptable prompts and microworkflows, contributing examples to a shared resource hub for continued collaboration. Highlights: include real use cases (e.g., Copilot, Quinncia, labor market tools) and peer-tested prompts.
Senior Manager for Career Pathways - Health & Life Sciences, University of Florida
Brendan is originally from the greater New Orleans area of Louisiana and is an alumna of Southeastern Louisiana University. She has worked in education for many years, both in higher education and as an art teacher in K-12 schools. Most of her career has been in student affairs in... Read More →
Manager for Career Pathways - Environment, Design, Manufacturing, and Agriculture, University of Florida
Jillian Prescott is a professional with 10 years in the education industry. A lifelong learner who believes everyone can make an impact, she develops innovative, student‑centered programs at UF’s Career Connections Center. With experience in teaching and learning program coordination... Read More →
Manager for Career Pathways - Human Services, Consulting, and Education, University of Florida
Zita Gonzalez is a higher education professional at UF’s Career Connections Center. She designs innovative programs grounded in Universal Design for Learning to help students navigate career pathways. With seven years in K–20 education, Zita leads initiatives that build skills... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT Longboat Key
What if your most powerful career center resource is not more staff but stronger partnerships? Career centers are often expected to deliver high-impact programming with small teams. This session explores how collaboration with campus and community partners helps small teams expand capacity and create engaging student experiences. Using examples from collaborative events, presenters will share how campus and community partners help bring programming to life through interactive tables and activities that support career exploration, transfer planning, job readiness, and career-ready competencies. By sharing expertise and working together, small teams can create dynamic experiences that would be difficult to deliver alone. Interactive formats such as games and themed tables create a welcoming environment where students naturally connect with partners and conversations happen organically. This approach encourages participation, reduces the pressure often associated with networking, and helps students engage more comfortably with career development topics. Participants will engage in collaborative brainstorming activities to generate ideas for partnership-driven programming and interactive engagement and leave with practical strategies for building partnerships and designing engaging career programming that can be adapted at their own institutions.
Supervisor, Career Development Services, Valencia College
Christine Moran is the Supervisor of the Career Center at Valencia College’s West Campus and has spent her career supporting students through education and career development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Goucher College and is a Certified Career Services... Read More →
Tamara Eicher is a Career Advisor at Valencia College with over 10 years of experience in career services. She has a Master of Education with a focus in Higher Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of North... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT Siesta Key
Student interest in entrepreneurship is soaring, creating new challenges and opportunities for career coaches. Trends show a rise in entrepreneurial mindsets, reflected in both students’ academic choices and the expansion of entrepreneurship programs—from fewer than 100 in the 2000s to over 300 today, according to The Princeton Review. The 2023 EY Gen Z report found that 42% of Gen Z are likely to start a business, and a ZenBusiness study revealed 84% view entrepreneurship as the most exciting career path, with 75% aiming to become business owners. This interactive session provides practical tools to assess entrepreneurial readiness, offer targeted resources, and build confidence in guiding students through diverse career paths. Attendees will learn how to meet students where they are, gain strategies to support students’ entrepreneurial ambitions while helping them navigate the full spectrum of career possibilities, and walk away with tools to better serve this growing population.
Assistant Director, Liaison to the College of Science & Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University
Kelly Nielsen has served at the Florida Atlantic University Career Center since 2019, where she is the Assistant Director, Liaison to the College of Science & Wilkes Honors College. Kelly works with a diverse range of students, including those who aspire to be entrepreneurs. Kelly... Read More →
For many students, on-campus employment is viewed merely as a paycheck rather than a professional stepping stone. However, when intentionally structured, these roles serve as a primary laboratory for career readiness. This session explores Work+, an innovative, university-driven initiative at the University of Central Florida designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and hands-on work experience. Participants will go behind the scenes of a program that shifts the focus from task-based supervision to competency-based mentorship. By equipping supervisors with curated tools and pedagogical resources, Work+ empowers them to facilitate career-enriching environments that prioritize NACE Career Readiness Competencies. We will discuss the framework used to train supervisors within the Division of Student Success and Well-Being, where 90% of participants reported feeling better equipped to incorporate professional development into daily operations. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies to scale supervisor training, enhance student self-efficacy, and turn every campus job into a high-impact experiential learning opportunity.
Academic Program Manager, University of Central Florida
As the Academic Program Manager of Work+ at the University of Central Florida, Lashay is dedicated to transforming student employment into a cornerstone of career readiness. With a background spanning career counseling and experiential learning faculty roles since 2019, they bring... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT Madiera
Career services teams and early talent recruiters are sitting on a goldmine of data, from student engagement and event attendance to application funnels and hiring outcomes. However, often these insights don’t translate into action, nor are they leveraged to achieve influence for securing resources, demonstrating impact, or building stronger partnerships. During this fast-paced, highly interactive workshop, participants will learn how to transform data reports and charts into clear, persuasive stories that influence decisions, strengthen campus–employer partnerships, and improve outcomes for students and hiring teams alike. Rather than focusing on complex analytics, this session zeroes in on what matters most: clarity, relevance, and impact. As part of the session, participants will learn a creative approach and practice turning messy or simple metrics into a focused narrative that answers the key question every stakeholder is asking: “So what?" and "What should we do next?”
Jeff Beavers is a nationally recognized expert on the college labor market and a global early-career talent acquisition strategist with more than 25 years of leadership experience across career services, campus recruiting, recruiting technology, and talent strategy. His work sits... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT Siesta Key
In Fall 2025, Florida Gulf Coast University launched its first-ever Internship Week—an innovative, campus-wide initiative designed to strengthen internship culture and connect students with meaningful experiential learning. Led by the Office of Internships & Cooperative Programs, the week brought together students, faculty, staff, and employers through targeted events that highlighted pathways to career readiness. The initiative significantly increased student awareness of internship support and became a signature engagement effort on campus. Notably, this work also positioned FGCU ahead of the curve as the university later selected internships as its SUS Metric 10 priority, reinforcing the long-term value of intentional experiential learning programming. This session will share the strategies, partnerships, and lessons learned from building Internship Week from the ground up.
Internship Coordinator II, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)
Trudi-Ann Dyer, MS, serves as the Internship Coordinator II in the Office of Internships & Cooperative Programs (ICP) at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). In her role, she guides students in STEM-related majors as they pursue high-impact internships. She played a key role in spearheading... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT Longboat Key
Large-scale career fairs can be exciting—but also overwhelming—for students navigating high expectations, crowded environments, and performance pressure. This 30-minute roundtable will explore an innovative Standard Operating Procedure: the Care Spotter Team model implemented at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University during the Spring Career Fair and Fall Career EXPO. Participants will learn how cross-campus collaboration between the Center for Career and Professional Development, the ERAU Counseling Center, and trained Eagle-2-Eagle peer supporters creates a proactive response system for students experiencing mental health events or physical distress.
The discussion will outline identification protocols, peer-to-peer de-escalation strategies, escort procedures, and the implementation of a “Rest & Re-Set Room” equipped with calming resources and on-site professional staff. Attendees will engage in dialogue about staffing models, training considerations, risk management, and scalable implementation strategies. This session is ideal for institutions seeking to intentionally integrate well-being, belonging, and student-centered care into high-impact recruiting events.
Career Center Outreach and Expo Manager, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Lizz Giordano is a career services professional with more than eight years of experience in employer relations, career advising, and large-scale recruiting initiatives. She currently serves as Career Center Outreach & Expo Manager at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where she... Read More →
As early-career hiring continues to evolve, employers and career development professionals are seeing shifts in interview expectations, candidate readiness, and communication skills. This roundtable will examine what employers currently seek in early-career talent, the interview questions being used across industries, and how students are performing in real-world interview settings. Participants will explore emerging student strengths, common challenges and habits that hinder interview success, and practical strategies institutions and employer partners can use to better prepare students for today's hiring landscape. Emphasis will be placed on collaboration between career services and employer relations teams to align student preparation with workforce expectations and support stronger interview outcomes for the next generation of talent.
Program Director | Lecturer, UCF | College of Business
Amy is a 15+ human resources professional with 5 years of experience in higher education, including designing learning experiences, coaching emerging professionals, and leading workforce development initiatives across organizational settings. Currently serving as a university instructor... Read More →
Today's career decision making process is influenced by rapidly changing labor markets, competitive academic environments, and societal pressure to achieve. These factors may intensify student stress, burnout, and self doubt which directly shape how students select majors, engage in career exploration, and build professional identities. This roundtable will examine the deeply interconnected relationship between student well-being and career development in higher education. Career development professionals play a significant role in creating environments that support not only student career success but also student career wellbeing. By focusing more on building a supportive career development, higher education institutions can help this next generation navigate their paths with confidence, clarity, and resilience.The session invites participants to collectively rethink advising practices, program design, and collaboration strategies that contribute to a supportive career development ecosystem. Through shared dialogue, participants will explore approaches that emphasize balance, purpose, and student well-being related to the career decision-making process.
Assistant Director, Career Planning, University of Central Florida
Alexandra Minnick is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who currently works with traditional and nontraditional college students in the Central Florida community. She currently works as the Assistant Director of Career Planning at UCF Career Services for the last 3 years. She has 6... Read More →
OBBBA is now law, and career centers across Florida are racing to figure out what "demonstrated experiential learning" and "measurable career outcomes" actually require in practice. Most directors are still building the answer in real time. This roundtable convenes career services leaders for a tactical exchange: what counts as experiential learning under the new requirements, how are you tracking it, what audit trail are you building, and where are your current systems most exposed? Facilitated by Rahul Jindal, the conversation draws on lessons from 200+ career center director interviews to surface concrete approaches institutions are already piloting. Participants leave with a working checklist of what to track, what to document, and what to fix before the next academic year. Bring one question, one example, and one challenge from your campus.
We help students across 80+ universities get hired with scalable career readiness tools: professional attire (CareerCloset), formulaic prep for career fairs, and international student visa support. Designed for tight budgets, our solutions are employer-funded and impact-driven.
This roundtable explores best practices for the ethical, responsible, and effective use of artificial intelligence in career coaching. As AI-powered tools increasingly shape resume development, career exploration, skills assessment, and job search strategies, career professionals must balance innovation with student-centered, values-driven practice. Participants will discuss opportunities for AI tools that enhance human coaching, while addressing concerns related to bias, data privacy, accessibility, transparency, and overreliance on automation. The session will emphasize equity-minded decision-making, institutional guidelines, and coaching frameworks that preserve empathy, agency, and critical thinking. Through discussion and shared experiences, attendees will leave with initial ideas to start designing, or bettering their processes for strategies, guiding principles, and reflective questions to support responsible AI integration in career services. This roundtable is designed for career educators seeking to thoughtfully adopt emerging technologies while maintaining professional ethics and meaningful student engagement.
While many career centers are expanding digital learning opportunities, there are continued barriers in scaling recognition and tracking completion in meaningful ways. This roundtable will explore how one team designed and implemented an automated certificate workflow that delivers completion certificates to students after finishing asynchronous career development modules. Participants will engage in a discussion on tools, integrations, and process design, including platforms like Qualtrics and PDF generation solutions, to better understand how to streamline credentialing while reducing manual work. Attendees will share their own approaches (or challenges) with issuing certificates, micro-credentials, and tracking engagement. Together, we will identify scalable strategies, common pitfalls, and opportunities to enhance student motivation and program visibility through automation.
This engaging roundtable discussion invites participants into a high-impact conversation on how partnerships with businesses, organizations, and nonprofits are transforming student mentoring beyond traditional advising models. Together, we will explore how employer-led and student-focused mentoring creates powerful hands-on learning experiences, expands professional networks, builds student confidence, and accelerates career readiness. Attendees will actively exchange ideas, challenges, and proven strategies for designing, sustaining, and scaling mentoring partnerships that meaningfully connect students to real-world opportunities. This session is ideal for professionals seeking innovative, practical approaches to employer engagement that guide students from the classroom to the community. Expect actionable insights, shared successes, and collaborative problem-solving in an idea-rich discussion designed to spark new connections and amplify student success.
Internship & Career Experiences Coordinator, Career Coach, University of South Florida St. Petersburg
Dr. Harris Ambush is an experienced educator, program creator, and community impact leader whose work spans local and international contexts in education, community building, and human development. He has taught and led programs in diverse settings around the world, serving learners... Read More →
In an era where “doing more with less” has become an expectation rather than an exception, burnout in higher education is no longer a risk, it’s often inevitable. For career services professionals, expanding responsibilities, constant urgency, and growing student needs can quietly erode capacity, creativity, and purpose. This roundtable reframes the conversation from managing overload to intentionally doing less with clarity and impact. Participants will engage in candid discussion about how unchecked work demands affect effectiveness and how strategic decision making, prioritization, and boundary setting can protect both staff well-being and institutional outcomes. Rather than focusing on balance as a destination, this session invites participants to reflect on how work can better support life and how leaders and teams can reclaim control over their time and energy.
Career Education Coordinator, University of West Florida
Communication professional with experience in higher education, research, student services, marketing, and public speaking. Passionate about education with a desire to see students succeed and gain more confidence in their careers.
Career Education Coordinator, University of West Florida
Jessica Prather is a Career Education Coordinator at the University of West Florida, where she develops and delivers innovative programs that support student career readiness, experiential learning, and professional growth. Since joining the Office of Career Development and Community... Read More →
As higher education continues to evolve, career services professionals are being asked to do more than deliver programming and manage student engagement. They are increasingly expected to show how career support connects to opportunity access, employer relationships, and student outcomes. This roundtable invites participants to explore how institutions are defining career impact today, where they see gaps in their current approach, and how campuses can create a more connected model that supports both staff effectiveness and student success.
Nick Ryan works with higher education institutions to strengthen the connection between career services, employer engagement, and student outcomes. His work focuses on how colleges and universities can build on existing career services infrastructure to better support opportunity... Read More →
MyCareerCloset in partnership with USF present: Professional attire is more than appearance. It affects confidence, access, and employer perception. This roundtable will explore how institutions can move beyond traditional donation closets to build scalable, sustainable, and equitable professional attire strategies. Participants will discuss implementation models, funding pathways, employer partnerships, and ways to position attire access as a core part of career readiness. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for piloting or strengthening a campus approach that supports students while improving recruiting outcomes and institutional visibility.
Director of Operations & Marketing, University of South Florida, Tampa campus
Amanda Marshall serves as the Director of Operations & Marketing in the Center for Career & Professional Development at the University of South Florida, Tampa campus. With a deep passion for fostering a supportive and collaborative environment, Amanda leads the Operations & Marketing... Read More →
We help students across 80+ universities get hired with scalable career readiness tools: professional attire (CareerCloset), formulaic prep for career fairs, and international student visa support. Designed for tight budgets, our solutions are employer-funded and impact-driven.
CEO, Rose Fuller Consulting, Rose Fuller Consulting
Rose Fuller Consulting Founder, Fuller Career Consulting (formerly Director of Career Development Services, Florida Gulf Coast University) Rose brings deep practitioner credibility from her years building and running FGCU's career services operation. She now consults with Florida... Read More →
This roundtable will focus on how faculty can partner with career centers to support career development classes and large-scale career programming, such as Careers in Weeks. Participants will share strategies for engaging faculty in promotion, classroom integration, and student participation.
Assistant Director & Career Coach, New College of Florida
Ellie joined the New College CEO team in January 2023. Ellie is passionate about helping students realize and reach their full potential. She’s been working with people of all ages since she could remember. Ellie is excited to work alongside students as they navigate their ever-changing... Read More →
Assistant Director & Career Coach, New College of Florida
Ryan joined the New College CEO team in August 2023. He is a Florida native and lifelong learner dedicated to helping students reach their full potential. Ryan began his academic career at the University of South Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance, a Master of... Read More →
Career services professionals are often pulled in every direction while working with limited resources and limited support. Whether navigating internal silos that keep departments from working together, struggling to build employer relationships that go deeper than a resume drop, or trying to decode what hiring managers actually want, they are constantly being asked to do more with less and do it better. This roundtable brings together career services leaders for an honest, solutions-focused conversation about what it takes to build a truly connected career services model. Because every career services department is unique, we recognize that challenges vary. Together, we will explore strategies for breaking down internal silos, cultivating employer partnerships that go beyond the annual career fair, and aligning outreach to workforce trends that matter most to the students we serve, including adult learners, career changers, and military-connected populations.
Employer Engagement Manager, Western Governors University
Anthony "Hank" Hankerson is an Employer Engagement Manager at Western Governors University, where he is dedicated to building meaningful partnerships between employers and students to meet the evolving demands of today's workforce. A proud United States Navy Veteran, Hank brings a... Read More →
This session highlights the design and launch of a three‑day Career Trek to Tampa created for Pre‑Law students through a cross‑departmental partnership between the Rollins Center for Career and Life Planning and the Immersion Programs team within the Center for Leadership & Community Engagement. Attendees will learn how the program was conceptualized, planned, and marketed, how site visits and professional experiences were curated, and how intentional collaboration expanded both funding possibilities and student engagement. The presentation will offer practical insights into building immersive, interest‑specific career experiences, including strategies for identifying host organizations, crafting a balanced weekend itinerary, and working with companies that serve a range of student interests. Participants will leave with a replicable model and adaptable strategies that can support innovative programming, strengthen partnerships, and deepen students’ real‑world exposure.
Assistant Director, Career Exploration, Rollins College
Cheyenne Morman is the Assistant Director of Career Exploration at Rollins College, where she leads high‑impact experiential learning initiatives that support students in exploring purposeful career paths. She oversees the College’s signature programs, including the Career Champions... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT Longboat Key
Employers consistently emphasize that while resumes may open doors, it is human skills that secure opportunities and sustain success. Yet many students struggle to clearly demonstrate these skills in meaningful, authentic ways. This session equips educators, advisors, and career development professionals with practical strategies to intentionally develop and articulate essential workplace skills such as communication, adaptability, teamwork, and leadership. Participants will explore how to move beyond surface-level resume building and instead embed skill development into everyday student interactions, programming, and advising. Through real-world examples and actionable tools, attendees will learn how to help students recognize their strengths, translate experiences into marketable skills, and confidently communicate their value to employers. Participants will leave with immediately applicable strategies to better prepare students for successful transitions into the workforce.
Principal of Clay High School, Driven Leadership Success
Dr. Jen Halter is an award-winning high school principal, leadership coach, and founder of Driven Leadership Success. With a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, she leads a high-performing high school recognized for student achievement, innovative career and technical education programs... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT Indian Shores
Transfer students often begin their higher education journey by facing a variety of competing demands. Universities encourage their students to engage in career readiness activities early to ensure their competitiveness while preparing to meet their career goals. Transfer students have a more compressed timeline which makes timely engagement even more critical. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how two offices at USF— the Center for Career and Professional Development and the Office of Transfer Student Success—have elevated their partnership to increase transfer student engagement with career resources during their first semester. Participants will explore strategic partnership strategies to support the transfer student population and identify ways to realize similar benefits in their home institutions without requiring additional funding.
Assistant Director of Career Development, University of South Florida (Tampa campus)
Adelia Douglas is an Assistant Director of Career Development at the University of South Florida’s Center for Career and Professional Development. She brings 9 years of higher education experience across student-facing roles, including career coaching, academic advising, and education... Read More →
Career offices at any-sized school are often challenged by limited staff and resources, many of which we know will not increase in the future. Instead of pushing for outside resources, have we considered looking within our offices and colleges? This session challenges the idea that student employees serve only as front desk support or event staff, and instead positions them as strategic contributors to the work of career services. At Eckerd College, through intensive training and established trust, our student employees are tasked and run programs such as peer advising, industry research, job procurement, marketing and content creation, blog writing, professional headshots, and mentorship program support. This drastically increases the work of 3 full-time staff members to include a team of 10. Reimagining student employment as work-based learning, allows career services staff to develop critical skills for the workforce for their students, as well as letting career centers to expand capacity while empowering students as active partners in career development. This model not only enhances office operations but also creates meaningful professional development opportunities for our student staff.
Assistant Director, Industry Development, Eckerd College
Maddy Nelson serves as the Assistant Director of Industry Development at Eckerd College. In this role, she is the primary point of contact for organizations looking to connect with Eckerd’s emerging talent pipeline. She develops and maintains strategic partnerships across industries... Read More →
Dwayne Peterson is a nationally recognized leader in career education, experiential learning, early career talent acquisition, and workforce development, with a passion for transforming futures. As a career strategist for nearly two decades, Dwayne has helped people from diverse industries... Read More →
Angelina Skimos is a career education and student engagement professional specializing in career exploration, personal branding, and life design. Currently serving as a Career Advisor at Eckerd College, Angelina is passionate about helping students connect their academic, leadership... Read More →
Assistant Director of Career Education, Eckerd College
Taylor Snipes is a higher education professional specializing in career education, employer relations, and student engagement. Currently serving as the Assistant Director of Career Education at Eckerd College, Taylor is passionate about helping students make meaning of their academic... Read More →
