Breakout Session #1 (3 concurrent sessions)

V-TOP & VEDP - Alisha Bazemore and Debbie Melvin (more information to come)

Strategic Management of Employer Relations Using an Algorithmic Informed Tiered Structure

Balancing employer recruiting needs with student employment interests requires continual adjustment of employer partnerships. Over the past year, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) redesigned employer relations into a tiered menu in which employers gain additional on-campus resources based on engagement. Higher tiers are reached through proactive recruiting that results in consistent hiring of VMI students as interns and first destination hires. This session will highlight how data trends, student feedback, employer needs, and institutional priorities shaped the model, while sharing algorithm development, examples of employer response, lessons learned, and next steps for refining the strategy. 

MAJ Natalie Slone serves as the Assistant Director of Experiential Learning & Employer Relations at the Virginia Military Institute. In this role, she works closely with industry partners to help them connect meaningfully with VMI’s Corps of Cadets, both commissioning and non-commissioning. Over the past year, she has built a tiered employer-engagement model, leveraging data and cadet feedback with the goal of strengthening recruiting outcomes across all academic departments. Natalie is focused on building equitable access to work-based learning opportunities, strengthening employer relations, and creating pathways that help VMI cadets launch into their desired careers immediately after graduation.

Careers Across the Curriculum: Building Faculty Capacity and Community

Funded by a VTOP Capacity-building Impact Grant, we sought to build faculty capacity in career-connected learning within the curriculum. Leveraging the VTOP Becoming a Career Champion course, 40 full-time faculty from across the institution were incentivized to complete the course, implement, assess and share a career-connected learning from their class. Faculty infused career readiness components in a variety of course levels and types with an array of approaches.  Results from implementation were overwhelmingly positive. We share highlights of faculty implementation, lessons learned, and ideas for Career Teams and Employer Partners interested in building career-connected faculty capacity, community, and curricular infusion. 

Jeanne Mekolichick is Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Professor of Sociology. She provides strategic leadership and direction for the research and creative scholarship enterprise, faculty development, experiential learning, university libraries, career and talent development, and the online enterprise. Dr. Mekolichick spent the early part of her career teaching, mentoring, and publishing with undergraduates, and collaborating with community partners. Her work has been funded by public and private agencies for mission-central efforts including inclusive excellence, community-engaged work, undergraduate research, institutional change, student success and career readiness. Dr. Mekolichick has held several leadership roles in the Council on Undergraduate Research, serving as President in 2021-2022 and is the author of the CUR Position Statement Recognizing Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Inquiry as a Career Readiness Tool. She serves nationally as a consultant, facilitator, speaker, peer reviewer, and has been recognized by her university for both her teaching and leadership.

  Paige Tan is a professor of political science with a strong record in innovative pedagogy, high-impact teaching, research, faculty development, career and experiential learning, and institution building.  She is skilled in graduate program leadership, including collaborative governance, strategic management, executing awards programs, and fostering graduate student professional development.  She is the founding director of the biannual interdisciplinary student showcase in complex public problem-solving called the Wicked Festival (named for wicked problems), now serving 900+ students per year on the Radford campus.  Recognized with university- and college-wide awards for outstanding service, faculty development, and global citizenship.  Former Fulbright Scholar to Singapore and part of a faculty team securing $653,000 in grants for curricular enhancement from the Educating Character Initiative at Wake Forest University (2024-2028). 

Day 2:  Breakout Session #2 (3 concurrent sessions)

Expanding Pathways, Expanding Possibilities: Transforming Work-Based Learning Experiences in Higher Education.  

This session highlights how the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP) is advancing a bold, statewide vision for work-based learning in higher education. Presenters will share key initiatives, recent successes, and SCHEV’s efforts to expand the definition of work-based learning to support innovative, workforce-aligned opportunities. Participants will gain insight into strategies that ensure students at Virginia’s two-year and four-year institutions have access to high-quality, paid internships and experiential learning before graduation. Attendees will explore practical ways to leverage their roles to strengthen and scale these pathways.

 Lauren N. Jackson, Ph.D., is a passionate and transformative leader with nearly two decades of experience in higher education, career development, and DEI advocacy. Dr. Jackson currently serves as the Associate for Innovative Work-Based Learning Initiatives at the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia, where she leads statewide strategic efforts to expand access to internships and other forms of WBL initiatives to prepare students for success in college and beyond. Dr. Jackson held several leadership positions in higher education in the areas of testing and tutoring, academic and career advising, and student life and activities within the Commonwealth of Virginia. In July 2021, Dr. Jackson was appointed the Inaugural Director for First and Second-Year Experiences and Transitions at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Progressively serving in VCU positions as a first-year academic advisor, student success instructor, Associate Director of Academic Advising, and visionary of the Leadership Development for Women of Color program, she led great efforts to close the educational and achievement gaps, to include developing programs and initiatives to engage students through holistic learning experiences with a goal of becoming productive citizens in society. 

Carolyn Sutphin is the Associate for Innovative Work-Based Learning Initiatives at the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), under the program Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP). This statewide initiative supports students, institutions, and employers through resources that promote internships and work-based learning.

Before joining SCHEV, she served as the Employer Relations and Events Coordinator at Radford University.  She earned a B.A. in Business and an M.S. in Educational Technology from Radford University. She is an active member in VACE and currently serves as the President-Elect. 

The Supervisor's Toolkit for Creating Career Ready Students. 

Sam Squyars.  Student employment can be more than a paycheck, it can be a launchpad for career success. Supervisors play a critical role in helping students develop transferable skills that prepare them for life after graduation. This session equips supervisors and career professionals with practical strategies to integrate career readiness into everyday supervision. Learn how to connect job responsibilities to NACE Career Competencies, provide meaningful feedback, and mentor students toward professional growth. Walk away with actionable tools and a ready-to-use toolkit that empowers you to turn campus jobs into stepping stones for future careers.

Sam Squyars serves as the Assistant Director of Career Advising at James Madison University. Sam graduated from Christoper Newport University (Go Captains!)  and attend Oregon State University for his masters . With a decade of experience in higher education—including roles in residence life, student conduct, and career services, Sam brings a holistic, student‑centered approach to his work.

Sam has spent his career supervising and mentoring students, with a particular passion for building skills that help students transition confidently into their professional lives. He is currently a doctoral student in JMU’s Educational Leadership program. Outside of work, Sam spends his time with his dog, Lucy, or analyzing the TV show Survivor like it’s his doctoral dissertation.

Lost in Translation: Making Liberal Arts Learning Employer-Ready.  

This highly interactive session explores practical strategies for helping students translate academic and co-curricular experiences into employer-relevant skills aligned with NACE Career Readiness Competencies. Using liberal arts learning as an illustrative example, participants will engage in hands-on activities, advising simulations, and a four-year academic-to-career roadmap that can be adapted for students across disciplines. Designed for practitioners, the session emphasizes immediately usable tools that support student confidence, career clarity, and skill articulation.

Meghan Jester is Director of Enrollment Management for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, where she leads career-centered enrollment, advising, and student success initiatives. With more than a decade of experience in career development and recruitment, she focuses on integrating experiential learning, employer engagement, and data-informed strategies into academic pathways. A Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, Meghan is passionate about connecting liberal arts education to meaningful career outcomes.

Breakout Session #3 (3 Concurrent Sessions)

Coaching Students in the Age of AI.

AI and machine learning continue to reshape the job market and influence hiring practices, creating uncertainty for students and placing new demands on career coaches and faculty.  This session will explore how Higher Ed professionals and stakeholders can address misconceptions, define responsible use, and integrate AI into coaching without weakening core human skills. Through a structured overview, facilitated discussion, and hands‑on critique of AI‑assisted materials, participants will develop strategies to: demystify AI in recruiter systems and ATS; guide students to engage AI appropriately for career planning and employment; and prepare them for an evolving workforce.

Brendan Harris is the Assistant Director of Career Services at the Virginia Military Institute, where he supports cadets through career exploration, job search preparation, and professional skill development. He enjoys collaborating with faculty and delving into the messy world of AI to strengthen VMI’s support for cadets entering diverse professional environments.

Prior to his role at VMI, Brendan spent the better part of a decade focused on global learning, partnership development, and intercultural programming at multiple state universities. His previous work included managing a Peace Corps Prep program, developing faculty-led studies abroad, and expanding student access to global and experiential learning through high-impact scholarships and fellowships.

Across his roles, Brendan has developed expertise in student advising, partner engagement, program design, marketing strategy, and data-informed decision‑making. His work centers on creating accessible, purposeful educational experiences that support student growth and long-term success.

 Building a Career Ecosystem: The Future of Career Development in Higher Education - Julia Lapan and Heather Palmer.  

As higher education and the labor market evolve, institutions must move beyond traditional career center models to better prepare students for post-graduation success. This session explores the concept of a school-wide career ecosystem that embeds career readiness throughout the student experience. Using the University of Virginia as a case study, presenters will share strategies for integrating career development into curriculum, advising, and cross-campus partnerships. Participants will engage in discussion and reflection to consider how a career ecosystem approach can be adapted to their own institutions and leave with actionable ideas to strengthen student career outcomes.

Julia Lapan is the inaugural Executive Director of Career Design & Discovery at University of Virginia’s College of Arts & Sciences. She most recently served as assistant dean at UVA's School of Engineering and Applied Science, where she led career development and international programs for all Engineering students. As a strategic partner to the Dean’s leadership team for the past 11 years, she built an ecosystem of career support, including integrating career design and learning into the first-year Engineering Foundations curriculum. She has led efforts to engage alumni and employers with academic departments and has supported faculty in advising students on education abroad and career success. Lapan’s career spans over two decades in higher education and includes career services, international programs, athletics, alumni relations, fundraising, and corporate development. Lapan holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in higher education from the UVA School of Education and Human Development and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from College of the Holy Cross. She engages in scholarly research and writing on the topics of student career success and equity in higher education and has presented her research at the national level. She lives in Charlottesville with her husband and young daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys trail running and training for sprint triathlons.

Heather Palmer is currently serving as the Interim Director of Engineering Career Development at UVA and has worked at the university in various career services roles for 19 years. She chairs the university-wide Global Careers Committee, as well as a newly formed Canvas Working Group, which will envision and craft content for UVA's various schools and academic departments. She's worked closely with her co-presenter Julia Lapan to bring career education into the classroom at UVA, and they both look forward to further developing a robust career eco-system at UVA. 

Heather's especially fond of connecting with international students, transfer students, first-generation students, and students with disabilities or chronic illnesses. She's is a long-time VACE member, having first joined VACE in 2005 as a graduate student.

Beyond the Degree: Work-Based Learning for Liberal Arts Success. Claire Denny, Career Advisor

Work-Based Learning Experiences (WBLEs) are critical to student growth, bridging academic learning with real-world practice. While often more straightforward in technical and professional fields, WBLEs are equally valuable for liberal arts students- who bring strong transferable skills and employer-valued competencies across industries. This session will go over WBLEs, emphasize their importance for liberal arts students, and highlight ways these students can leverage their strengths to access meaningful opportunities. Participants will also gain practical strategies for faculty and employers to create and expand WBLEs tailored to liberal arts disciplines, supported by data-informed insights from James Madison University.

Currently serving as a Career Advisor at James Madison University (JMU), she is dedicated to empowering students as they navigate their career journeys. Originally from Virginia, Claire pursued both her undergraduate and graduate studies in North Carolina, earning a Master’s degree in College Counseling & Student Development from NC State University. Claire is passionate about helping students build confidence, recognize their strengths, and explore the wide range of possibilities available to them after graduation. She is committed to providing thoughtful guidance and support as students prepare for meaningful and fulfilling professional paths in the workforce.

Day 3:  Breakout Session #4 (3 Concurrent Sessions)

Building Bridges: Mentorship in Action - Carolyn Sutphin

Learn how to design a high-impact, inclusive mentorship program that supports student and early-career success. This session offers a practical framework, real-world examples, and tech-enabled tools to help institutions and organizations launch or enhance mentorship initiatives. Attendees will leave with a customizable action plan, templates, and proven engagement strategies to build meaningful mentor-mentee relationships that foster equity, persistence, and career readiness.

Carolyn Sutphin is the Associate for Innovative Work-Based Learning Initiatives at the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), under the program Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP). This statewide initiative supports students, institutions, and employers through resources that promote internships and work-based learning.

Before joining SCHEV, she served as the Employer Relations and Events Coordinator at Radford University.  She earned a B.A. in Business and an M.S. in Educational Technology from Radford University. She is an active member in VACE and currently serves as the President-Elect.

 Mandatory Career Prep Classes - The Why and How-To - Kristin Stephens

Do you wish your school required career development workshops or classes for all students? I’ll share how Christendom College’s mandatory, credit-bearing, four-year career prep courses have positively impacted students’ professionalism, career readiness, and employability. You’ll learn about the structure of classes, the topics covered, and the assignments given, plus how we manage and organize the backend data. 

Kristin Stephens is the Director of Career & Professional Development at Christendom College where she has worked since 2018. She has been an active member of VACE since 2016 having served as Conference Co-Chair and President. Previously, she worked as the Career Education Coordinator at Shenandoah University and the First Year Involvement Coordinator at James Madison University. She holds a BA in Psychology from Roanoke College and a MA in Counseling and Student Affairs from Radford University.

Career Services as a Catalyst for the Campus: How to Leverage Career Services to be a Driver for Enrollment, Retention, Student Engagement, and Alumni Relations - Matthew Frederick and Christine Arias

This presentation will illustrate  how the work of an intentional and outcomes focused career center can be a powerful driver for many elements of campus and  in many of the facets of the strategic vision of the institution. The presenters will be multiple examples of highly effective practices currently in place at Emory & Henry University, as well as new and innovative approaches that can be scaled and replicated at any institution.  This presentation is intended for all who are interested in new approaches to student engagement, recruiting, retention, and alumni engagement.

Dr. Matthew Frederick serves as Associate Provost for Career and Professional Development at Emory & Henry University, where he leads institutional efforts to connect students with meaningful, high-impact experiential learning opportunities. His work focuses on aligning students’ academic experiences with their professional aspirations through internships, domestic and international partnerships, and career pathways that reflect their passions and long-term goals. Through innovative programming and strategic collaborations, he has secured multiple grants and awards supporting expanded access to career and experiential education initiatives.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Frederick served as Associate Provost and Dean of Academic Affairs, overseeing daily operations of the undergraduate academic program. His leadership portfolio included supervision of the registrar’s office, library, international education program, honors program, and numerous additional academic functions. His administrative leadership has been marked by a commitment to academic excellence, operational effectiveness, and student-centered innovation.

Dr. Frederick holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance, a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. A tenured faculty member since 2010 and promoted to Full Professor of Music in 2025, he has served on the faculty since 2003. In 2015, he was tasked with resurrecting the university marching band after a 50-year absence. Under his leadership, the band program has grown to include nearly 10% of the student population.

He currently serves as Director of Bands, directing the university marching band, symphonic band, and trumpet ensemble. Under his direction, the trumpet ensemble has been a two-time semi-finalist at the National Trumpet Competition, and university ensembles have toured Germany and Austria, as well as China. In 2020, the marching band was selected to lead the New Year’s Day Parade in Rome, Italy, and in December 2023, the band performed at the American Cemetery in Normandy and in Paris, France—distinctions that reflect the program’s artistic excellence and international reputation.

Dr. Frederick’s career reflects a distinctive blend of academic leadership, artistic achievement, and student-focused innovation, grounded in a deep commitment to institutional growth and transformative educational experiences.