New faces, spaces at the Career Development Center

Members of the Career Development Center staff check out their new office space in Tyler Haynes Commons. From left are Lynn Burgess, Elizabeth Chancy, Leslie Stevenson, Katybeth Lee, Jenny Quarles, Jenny Pedraza, Joe Testani, Yolanda Crewe and Mickie Campos. Not pictured are Russell Leonard and Joslyn Bedell.

The Career Development Center began the year with six new faces. At mid-semester, the staff moved into a new center on the third floor of Tyler Haynes Commons. The changes will better enable the CDC to realize its mission of helping students throughout the career development process.

“We are so excited about the new center and grateful for the University’s support in making it come to fruition,” said Leslie Stevenson, CDC director. “This space will give the CDC a more visible presence on campus and make it easier for students to take advantage of the resources available to them. It also gives us a new way to greet and serve employers who come to campus to recruit our students.”

The new space includes updated staff offices, an enhanced library and resource area,  more interview rooms and a conference room. New technology, including a video conferencing system, will give students and employers access to the newest resources in career development.

The CDC also is now fully staffed after filling four vacant positions and creating two new positions. A new team structure allows staff members to both advise students and recruit organizations to offer internship and job opportunities.

“The group has a wide variety of experience, but the common thread is they all have a passion for helping students develop their paths to success,” said Stevenson.

The new staff and resources are part of the implementation of a new strategic plan that focuses on employer development, student engagement (especially among first- and second-year students), a cohesive communications and marketing plan, assessment strategies, and utilization and expansion of resources.

For more information or to make an appointment, visit the CDC’s Web site at cdc.richmond.edu or call 289-8547.

Meet the CDC’s new staff

• Mickie Campos, administrative coordinator. Campos serves as the first point of contact for all CDC visitors. She is a graduate of Eastern New Mexico University.
• Beth Chancy, assistant director. In addition to career advising, Chancy is developing relationships and opportunities with contacts in government, public policy and law, and technology. She is the liaison to the Jepson School and the languages and literature departments. She has degrees from The College of William and Mary and the University of Rhode Island.
• Joslyn DiRamio Bedell, assistant director. Bedell provides career counseling and works with representatives of education, nonprofit and gap year industries. She is the liaison to the social sciences departments. She holds degrees from the University of Georgia and the University of Vermont.
• Russell Leonard, assistant director. Leonard advises students and works with contacts in the accounting and consulting industries. He is a liaison to the accounting, management, international business and economics departments. Leonard holds a bachelor’s degree from Richmond and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University.
• Jenny Pedraza, communications manager. Pedraza oversees and implements the CDC’s strategic communications plan, helping to promote the center’s services and programs to internal and external audiences. She also manages and develops the center’s Web site and printed pieces. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Florida.
• Jenny Provo Quarles, project manager. Quarles handles the coordination and logistics of CDC programming and events and oversees customer service initiatives. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College and a master’s degree from Clark University.