FloridaACE 2026

FloridaACE 2026

9:45am EDT

From Idea to Impact: Career Weeks That Resonate

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT

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.

Speakers

Samantha Carmer

Assistant Director, New College of Florida

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 →

Ellie Mobley

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 →

Ryan Hughes

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

Concurrent Breakout Session

Audience Employers/Recruiters, Career Development Professionals, Employer Development/Relations Professionals, Internship/Cooperative Education Professionals, Administration/Leadership

9:45am EDT

Launch a Campus Hackathon/Buildathon in 3 Hours to 2 Days: A Scalable Model for Student Innovation with AI

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT

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.

Speakers

Elery Rojas

Director of Outreach and Programs, Base44

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

Concurrent Breakout Session

Audience Career Development Professionals, Administration/Leadership, Internship/Cooperative Education Professionals, Employer Development/Relations Professionals
about <br>

9:45am EDT

Reimagining Career Services Through Intelligent Tools

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT

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. 

Speakers

Brendan Daigle

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 →

Jillian Prescott

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 →

Zita Gonzalez

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

Concurrent Breakout Session

Audience Employers/Recruiters, Internship/Cooperative Education Professionals, Career Development Professionals

9:45am EDT

Small Teams. Big Impact. Collaboration is Our Superpower How partnerships help small teams create engaging career programming

Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT

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.

Speakers

Christine Moran

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

Career Advisor, Valencia College

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

Concurrent Breakout Session

Audience Employers/Recruiters, Career Development Professionals, Employer Development/Relations Professionals, Internship/Cooperative Education Professionals, Administration/Leadership

11:00am EDT

Building CEOs: Empowering Career Coaches to Help Entrepreneurial Students

Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

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.

Speakers

Kelly Nielsen

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 →

Golden Madume

Assistant Director, Liaison to the College of Engineering & Computer Science, Florida Atlantic University

Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Indian Shores

Concurrent Breakout Session

Audience Career Development Professionals

11:00am EDT

Closing the Gap: Coaching Supervisors to Become Career Mentors

Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

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.

Speakers

Lashay Vazquez, SHRM-CP

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

Concurrent Breakout Session

Audience Career Development Professionals, Administration/Leadership

11:00am EDT

Data Storytelling: Turning Insights into Influence

Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

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?”

Speakers

Jeff Beavers

Vice President, Partnership Development, 12twenty

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

Concurrent Breakout Session

Audience Administration/Leadership, Career Development Professionals, Employer Development/Relations Professionals, Employers/Recruiters, Internship/Cooperative Education Professionals

11:00am EDT

Launching Internship Week: What Worked, What Didn’t, and What I Learned From Year One

Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

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.

Speakers

Trudi-Ann Dyer

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

Concurrent Breakout Session

Audience Career Development Professionals, Administration/Leadership, Internship/Cooperative Education Professionals

3:00pm EDT

Career Treks That Inspire: A High‑Impact Model for Immersive Learning

Tuesday June 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

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.

Speakers

Cheyenne Morman

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

Concurrent Breakout Session

Audience Career Development Professionals, Internship/Cooperative Education Professionals

3:00pm EDT

Hired, Not Just Noticed: Teaching the Skills That Actually Get Students the Job

Tuesday June 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

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.

Speakers

Dr. Kyle Dresback

Principal of Nease High School, St. Johns School District

Dr. Jen Halter

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

Concurrent Breakout Session

Audience Administration/Leadership, Employer Development/Relations Professionals, Career Development Professionals, Employers/Recruiters

3:00pm EDT

Stronger Together: Collaborative Strategies to Advance Transfer Student Career Readiness

Tuesday June 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

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.

Speakers

Adelia Douglas

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 →

Dr. Anthea Henderson

Associate Director of Office of Transfer Student Success, University of South Florida (Tampa campus)

Tuesday June 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Siesta Key

Concurrent Breakout Session

Audience Career Development Professionals, Administration/Leadership

3:00pm EDT

The Untapped Workforce Within Your Career Center

Tuesday June 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

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.

Speakers

Maddy Nelson

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

Director, Eckerd College

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

Career Advisor, Eckerd College

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 →

Taylor Snipes

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 →

Tuesday June 16, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Madiera

Concurrent Breakout Session

Audience Career Development Professionals, Employer Development/Relations Professionals, Internship/Cooperative Education Professionals, Administration/Leadership

9:30am EDT

Affinity Group - Administration & Leadership

Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT

Sand Key Ballroom (Belleaire/Redington)

Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Sand Key Ballroom (Belleaire/Redington)

Concurrent Breakout Session

9:30am EDT

Affinity Group - Career Coaching and Advising

Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT

Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Longboat Key

Concurrent Breakout Session

9:30am EDT

Affinity Group - Employer Engagement

Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT

Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Madiera

Concurrent Breakout Session

9:30am EDT

Affinity Group - Future Professionals

Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT

Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Siesta Key

Concurrent Breakout Session

9:30am EDT

Affinity Group - Internships

Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT

Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Indian Shores

Concurrent Breakout Session