Meet Our Team

Dr. Alayna Hayes, Assistant Provost and Senior Director of the Career Center

Dr. Alayna Hayes, Assistant Provost and Senior Director of the Career Center

I'm thrilled that you're exploring the Career Center online and taking steps to connect with us.

Our primary mission is to support scholars in gaining clarity about their future. We aim to be a significant part of their Vanderbilt journey. Whether exploring career options, seeking an internship, considering graduate studies, pursuing a fellowship, planning a gap year, or venturing into entrepreneurship, our exceptional staff is here to assist Vanderbilt scholars every step of the way.

We proudly serve full-time undergraduate students from the Blair School of Music, College of Arts and Science, School of Engineering, and Peabody College. Additionally, we offer career coaching to recent graduates (up to 2 years after graduation).

No matter their aspirations or where they see themself in the future, Vanderbilt scholars belong here. We’re committed to helping them find clarity and chart their path forward.

We invite you to visit us in person. It’s never too early—or too late—to engage with the Career Center!

Office Location

Student Life Center 2nd Floor / Career Center 310 25th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212

Contact Information

Contact Us

General questions: careercenter@vanderbilt.edu

Recruiting questions: recruiting@vanderbilt.edu

Phone: (615) 322-2750

Our Mission and Vision

  • Mission

    The Career Center empowers the diverse Vanderbilt community by fostering connections, facilitating opportunities, and sharing resources that support growth and discovery.

  • Vision

    Illuminate impactful pathways towards meaningful futures.

  • Who We Serve

    We support undergraduate students enrolled full-time in Blair School of Music, College of Arts and Science, Peabody College, and School of Engineering.

Our Team

  • Alayna Hayes, EdD

    Alayna Hayes, EdD

    Assistant Provost and Senior Director of the Career Center

    Bachelor of Science in Management, Florida A&M UniversityMaster of Business Administration, Florida A&M UniversityDoctor of Education in Entrepreneurial Leadership, Johns Hopkins University

  • Allison Otto

    Assistant Director of Badging & Skills

    Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management, University of Wisconsin OshkoshMaster of Science in Educational Leadership & Policy, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

    LinkedIn

  • Andrea M. DiMarco, Ed.D

    Andrea M. DiMarco, Ed.D

    Director, Academic Internship Program

  • Beatrice Juskeviciute

    Beatrice Juskeviciute

    Career Coach | Vandy in Health

  • B. Antonella Valdivia

    B. Antonella Valdivia

    Assistant Director of Program Management

    Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, University of MiamiMaster of Education in Higher Education Administration, Vanderbilt University

  • Bethany Reilly

    Career Coach | Vandy in Education & Social Impact

    Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management, Belmont UniversityMaster of Education in Higher Education Leadership, Mercer University

    LinkedIn

  • Catherine Gunnells

    Catherine Gunnells

    Industry Advisor | Vandy in Business & Consulting

  • Cathy Weisbrodt

    Director of Student & Scholar Engagement

    Bachelor of Business Administration & Marketing, Eastern Michigan UniversityMaster of Liberal Arts & Science, Vanderbilt University

    LinkedIn

  • Destiny Rumble

    Assistant Director of Immersive Experiences & Treks

    Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication & Public Relations, University of North Alabama

    LinkedIn

  • Dylan Garwick

    Vanderbilt Professional Fellow

    LinkedIn

  • Elizabeth Harrington Lambert, PhD

    Associate Director, Fellowships

    Bachelor of Arts in History and Art, Agnes Scott CollegeMaster of Arts in History, Indiana UniversityFulbright Scholar, Bauhaus Universität Weimar (Germany)DAAD Scholar, Freie Universität Berlin (Germany)Doctor of Philosophy in Modern European History, Indiana University

    LinkedIn

  • Erica M. Betz

    Director of External Partner Engagement

    Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication, University of Central FloridaMaster of Arts in Communication, University of Central FloridaCertifications: Certified Career Services Professional (CCSP) through National Career Development Association (NCDA)

    LinkedIn

  • Ethan Fesperman

    Associate Director of Undergraduate Coaching and Engagement

    Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Warren Wilson CollegeMaster of Arts in Education, The George Washington University

    LinkedIn

  • Grace Janoski

    Grace Janoski

    Director of Center Innovation

    Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication, Middle Tennessee State UniversityMaster of Education in Organizational Leadership, Belmont UniversityMaster of Arts in Human Resources Management, Claremont Lincoln University

  • Jacob Chabowski

    Marketing & Communication Specialist

    Bachelor of Science in Marketing, John Carroll University

    LinkedIn

  • Jamie Haughton

    Jamie Haughton

    Employer Relations Specialist | Vandy in Finance, Vandy in Health

  • Kailey Payne

    Kailey Payne

    Fellowships Advisor

  • Karen Chan

    Karen Chan

    Employer Relations Specialist | Vandy in Education & Social Impact, Vandy in Business & Consulting

    Business and Consulting – Schedule an appointment in CalendlyBachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Broadcasting, Mississippi State University

  • Kate Shepherd

    Kate Shepherd

    Career Advisor, Vandy in Finance

  • Mariah Strike

    Mariah Strike

    Director of Operations and Strategy

    Bachelor of Arts in International Studies/Environment and Natural Resources, University of WyomingBachelor of Arts in Spanish, University of WyomingMaster of Education in Learning, Diversity, and Urban Studies, Vanderbilt University

  • Megan Lopez

    Megan Lopez

    Assistant Director, Data Analytics

  • Nicole O’Block

    Nicole O’Block

    Office Manager

    Bachelor of Science in International Agriculture, Pennsylvania State University

  • Paresh Patel

    Paresh Patel

    Career Coach, Vandy in Engineering & Tech

    Bachelor of Science in Management, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleMaster of Science in Human Resource Management, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • Taylor Campbell

    Taylor Campbell

    External Partner Engagement Administrative Coordinator

  • Yasja Hemmings

    Yasja Hemmings

    Career Coach | Vandy in Arts & Media

    Vandy in Arts & MediaBachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of South FloridaMaster of Education in Higher Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs, Iowa State University

Student Workers

  • Alina Scharfspitz

    Alina Scharfspitz

    External Partner Engagement Intern

  • Amanda Malnik

    Amanda Malnik

    Vandy in Exploration Student Ambassador

  • Anika Ralston

    Anika Ralston

    Graduate Assistant, Fellowships

  • Anna Chen

    Anna Chen

    Vandy in Education & Social Impact Student Ambassador

    Vandy in Education & Social ImpactElementary Education & Second Language Studies

  • Chance Brown

    Chance Brown

    External Partner Engagement Intern

  • Caroline Empey

    Caroline Empey

    External Partner Engagement Intern

  • Charlotte Polk

    Charlotte Polk

    Operations Student Worker

  • David Sung

    David Sung

    Vandy in Business & Consulting Student Ambassador

  • Imani Bryant

    Imani Bryant

    Fellowships

    Fellowships Advisor Graduate AssistantHuman Development Counseling-Clinical Mental Health Counseling

  • Kyle Curtin

    Kyle Curtin

    Innovation Intern

  •  Leon Mhingiro

    Leon Mhingiro

    Vandy in Finance Student Ambassador

  • Lu Johns-DeLa Garza

    Lu Johns-DeLa Garza

    Pre-Law Advising Student Ambassador

  • Maggie Song

    Maggie Song

    External Partner Engagement Intern

  • Nathalie Larson

    Nathalie Larson

    Vandy in Arts & Media Student Ambassador

  • Prachi Parundekar

    Prachi Parundekar

    Graduate Student Worker - Financial Support and Immersive Experiences

  • Tiffany Gao

    Tiffany Gao

    Vandy in Health Student Ambassador

  • Vivian Ma

    Vivian Ma

    Vandy in Engineering & Tech Student Ambassador