Career Center Staff
Career Services Staff
Dave Merry, Associate Provost and Executive Director

In the position of Associate Provost and Executive Director of the expanded Center for Career Education and Professional Development, Dave works to generate and implement career-related initiatives and oversee programs in executive education and lifelong learning in alignment with the career/experiential learning goals of the Suffolk 2025 strategic plan.
Dave holds a BA from the University of New Hampshire and an MA in Student Development in Postsecondary Education from the University of Iowa. He is completing a Doctor of Education program at Northeastern University, with a concentration in Higher Education Administration; his in-progress dissertation focuses on implementing organizational change within career education centers to meet the challenges and opportunities of the changing world of work.
Career Education Staff
Kerrie Aborn, Director of Career Education
Kerrie Aborn has worked in higher education for more than fourteen years. As the Director of Career Exploration at Suffolk University, Kerrie Aborn is responsible for developing and implementing university-wide career education initiatives, including internship support, first-year and generalized career support, alumni career engagement, and the equity and access of our offerings. Prior to Suffolk, Kerrie held leadership positions at Curry College, Earlham College and Anderson University working in workforce development, experiential education, enrollment, marketing, advancement, information technology and community relations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Anderson University.
Erika Graves, Senior Assistant Director for Career Exploration

Erika started working in the Career Center in July 2021 after becoming a double gull from Endicott College, BS ‘19 and M.Ed ‘21. She knew early on in her undergraduate career that she wanted to work with college students and pursued that path by getting engaged in tutoring services and student affairs work, specifically in residence life. Erika is passionate about working with students outside of the classroom and supporting them as individuals in all areas of their life.
Jenny Joseph-Hayle, Associate Director of Alumni Career Engagement
As an alum and adjunct faculty member, Jenny Joseph-Hayle remains committed to providing resources for students and alumni as the Associate Director of Career Alumni Engagement. She has over 10 years of professional experience in health care financing, public service (for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York) and consulting. Jenny enjoys sharing industry knowledge with the Suffolk community through lectures, hosting collaborative events with other student organizations and serving as a volunteer as a Suffolk graduate ambassador. Ms. Joseph-Hayle holds a MPA’13 from Suffolk and a Bachelors in Sociology from San Francisco State University.
Julie Nguyen, Senior Associate Director of Career Education

Julie enjoys collaborating with students to tell their career story to showcase their skills and experiences, and demonstrate how they can contribute to companies. In addition to supporting “middle year students”, Julie is assisting the College of Arts & Sciences and the Sawyer Business School with integrating career education into their curriculum.
Julie has spent her entire professional career in higher education: admissions, academic advising, cooperative education, and career education. Prior to joining the Suffolk Community, Julie was an Assistant Cooperative Education Faculty in the College of Engineering at Northeastern University where she supported Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering students throughout their co-op searches and work experiences, maintained and developed employer partnerships throughout the U.S., taught two courses twice a year, and engaged in service activities that promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion.
She earned her Doctor of Education degree from Northeastern University with a concentration in Higher Education Administration. Her dissertation focused on examining undergraduate engineering students’ experiences with failures. Julie would like to help more students view failures as opportunities for growth and not be afraid to make mistakes. Also, she has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian American Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master of Arts degree in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Stephen Meno, Associate Director of Experiential Career Education
In his role as the Assistant Director of Internship Programs, Stephen will serve as a university resource for the various educators and initiatives focused on providing students with internship opportunities. Prior to joining Suffolk, Stephen worked at the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension as a Community and Economic Development Field Specialist. He received a Master of Regional Planning degree with a focus on economic development from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a BA in Archaeology and English from Tufts University. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Education degree at Plymouth State University with a focus on innovative approaches to experiential learning.
Career Equity and Access Staff
Ade Igbineweka, Director of Career Equity and Access
Ade has spent the past 15 years in education and developmental services. Her career started with supporting adults with physical and mental health disabilities, and transitioned into teaching and being a student development specialist. She has been privileged to support people in their areas of development and achievement. In the last 6 years, she has served as a Success Coach, Academic Advisor and Career Specialist with an equity and inclusion lens, engaging students and colleagues in workshops and programming, developing processes that allow students become value-added individuals in their career pursuits. Ade has earned a Bachelors and Master degree in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She has succeeded as a first generation graduate by building relationships, and she looks forward to building strategic partnerships to further student success at Suffolk University with a deep focus for underserved student groups and identities.
Vicky Lee, Associate Director of Career Equity, Access, and Global Career Development

A former international student turned higher education professional, Vicky Lee (she/her) is passionate about creating a more welcoming environment for diverse student populations and offering equitable opportunities to students from all walks of life. Prior to Suffolk, Vicky served as the Global Career Consultant at the University at Buffalo, and as the International Student Advisor and Student Engagement Coordinator at Michigan State University. She also worked in an international summer school in Scotland as one of the few foreign-born staff members. From advising international students and families to cultivating lasting relationships with globally-minded employers, international education has always been at the core of her career. Vicky holds a bachelor's degree in Human Development & Family Studies from Michigan State University and a master's degree in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University. With hopes of better understanding the scope of human resource development and online instruction, she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Adult Education at Buffalo State College. When she is not working at the Career Center or completing her coursework, you will find her exploring her new city, trying new cooking recipes, watching sports, reading, and planning her next trip.
Career Communities Staff
Sarah M. Burrows, Ed.D., Director of Career Communities
Sarah Burrows, Ed.D., Director of Career Communities, believes that engagement, networking, and professional relationship management are keys to launch and advance one’s career. She has held various roles in Higher Education, at Providence College as the Senior Associate Director, Center for Career Education, at Lasell University as Director of Internship Programs and at Simmons University as a Communication faculty member and Internship Program Director. She has developed a professional development badging program, created protocols and curricula for internship programs, taught Communication courses and conducted assessment of learning outcomes from work-integrated learning. Sarah serves as the VP of Research on the board of CEIA, and as a Regional Vice-Chair for the U.S. for the WACE-International Research Community. Sarah earned a B.F.A. from the NYSCC at Alfred University, an M.S. from Simmons University, and an Ed.D. from Northeastern University. Sarah enjoys reading, lap swimming, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Alicia McCormick, Assistant Director of Career Communities – STEM & Sustainability
Alicia McCormick (she/her) loves empowering students to achieve their goals and fulfill their potential both within and beyond the college experience. She is excited to learn about the passions of Suffolk students and help them navigate their career journeys. Prior to Suffolk, Alicia worked for the Honors Program at Northeastern University, where she advised students in the College of Engineering and Bouvé College of Health Sciences and coordinated a student-alumni mentoring initiative to foster professional development and networking amongst members of the community from all industries. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Boston College and an M.Ed. in Higher Education from Vanderbilt University in Nashville. In her free time, she enjoys baking, going to concerts (especially country!), trying new restaurants, and spending time with her 1-year old puppy, Theo.
Joanna Lazarek, Associate Director of Career Communities - Humanities & the Arts
Joanna has had a varied career with a common advising thread. In addition to brief stints in educational and luxury travel, she spent over 12 years as a gap year advisor. In 2011, Joanna took her own time “on,” traveling to India, Thailand, Australia, Ecuador, Poland, and Germany to volunteer, study Spanish, excavate in an archaeological dig, and blog. She returned to advising as an international co-op counselor at Northeastern University, then joined Suffolk in 2015, where she gives students career advice, engages employers, manages career events, and runs the Ram Alumni Mentoring Program (RAMP). Joanna studied art history and Italian at UConn and spent a year abroad in Florence, Italy. She loves to explore art, history, world cultures and cuisines, and is a keen reader, traveler, cyclist, and hiker.
Laura Marchant, Senior Associate Director of Career Communities – Accounting, Finance & Data Analytics
A native Bostonian, Laura has 15+ years’ experience in career development and recruiting. She helped play a pivotal role in developing the Career Center’s on-campus recruiting program, and she maintains valuable connections among hiring managers from a variety of industries. Laura established and manages the Employer Advisory Board as well as oversees a multitude of career related events and workshops both on and off campus. She has also been instrumental in helping students launch their careers through her advising and classroom instruction. Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boston College, and both of her children attended Suffolk University. When not calling upon the human resources community, Laura enjoys tennis, gardening, and vegetarian cooking.
Lauren Gray, Senior Associate Director, Career Communities - Human Services and Social Impact
Lauren joined Suffolk University in 2017 after working for 10 years in the non-profit sector as an employer relations specialist and career counselor. Prior to that, she served the homeless community as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Sacramento, CA. In her current role, Lauren engages with employers, organizes events, coordinates job shadowing, and most importantly, advises students on a variety of career development topics. She also has experience as an instructor in the Sawyer Business School’s Career Links program. She holds a B.A. in English from the College of the Holy Cross, an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University, and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Suffolk University. She lives in Jamaica Plain with her husband and their cat Gatsby, and enjoys attending musical theater performances and sporting events.
Michelle Goldberg, Associate Director, Career Communities - Management and Entrepreneurship & Strategic Lead for Innovative Business Partnerships
Michelle Goldberg (she/her) is a dedicated multicultural career counselor who thrives creating professional pathways for historically marginalized populations. Prior to joining the Suffolk community, she worked in Career Design at Northeastern, her undergraduate alma mater, where she worked primarily with the D'Amore-McKim School of Business and Cultural Life. As a member of the National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, her personal mission is to break the cycle of inequity in the workforce. Michelle completed her Master’s in Higher Education Administration from George Washington University with a focus on Student Affairs and Multicultural Counseling. Prior to career advising, she held roles in orientation, admissions, international education, first-year transition programs, residence life and student activities. Outside of work, Michelle volunteers as a Big Sister, and enjoys musical theatre and spending time with her spouse and Cooper, their rescue dog.
Morgan Brittney Austin, Assistant Director of Career Communities – Journalism, Media & Communication
Morgan has a passion for conveying messages, whether it’s through written copy or being a reliable resource for sound advice. Her B.A. in Communication - Journalism from Lasell University lead her to a career in content writing, producing website and social media copy for a range of industries including healthcare, youth programs, career and employment, and more. Before joining Suffolk, Morgan worked at various marketing agencies, brands, and startups, fostering her skills in copywriting and relationship-building with clients and colleagues, alike. She is eager to bring her industry knowledge into the role as the Assistant Director of the Journalism, Media and Communication Career Community in the Center for Career Equity, Development and Success. Morgan also sits as a board member for a youth mentoring program in her hometown, Brockton, MA. When she’s not working or volunteering, you can find her with a book in one hand and a coffee in the other.
Nana-Korantema Koranteng, Asssistant Director of Career Communities - Public Administration, Government & Law
Nana-Korantema (Nana) Koranteng has been enthralled with both US. & Global politics from a young age. Now she is excited to leverage her unique personal and professional experiences in supporting Suffolk students as they explore the many career paths within public affairs, government, and law. She is especially excited about helping students of diverse backgrounds tap into their potential.
Nana is a 2016-2017 Fulbright Fellowship Alumna, having taught English at Ahlia University in Manama, Bahrain. Nana received her B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies from Pomona College where she concentrated in politics and religion. She later went on to earn her M.A. in Regional Studies- Middle East from Harvard University, where she focused on conflict resolution. Nana is an avid traveler and foreign film lover. If she looks like she’s daydreaming, she’s just planning her next international adventure.
Tina Finnegan, Associate Director, Career Communities - Healthcare and Wellness & Strategic Lead for Healthcare Pipelines
Tina joins Suffolk University dedicated to advocating for and helping build professional growth for learners from all walks of life. Coming from an international background, Tina is passionate about culture, language, community, and the intersection of such factors in individuals’ personal growth as well as career pursuits. Fluent in English, Russian, and Spanish – she is constantly eager to learn more about the diverse identities of those she meets. Throughout her professional roles, she built writing and communication programming, including one-on-one advising and group lectures, for students pursuing business from international backgrounds. She has also developed original customized career resources for students pursuing dental medicine, public health, or clinical specialization, including instructional guides, a tailored digital library, and an expanded network of employers and mentors in academia, research, public health, military, and practice. Through such programming, Tina has encouraged experiential learning and integrated collaborative efforts with administrators, faculty, and employers to help graduates become career ready and stand out within their respective industries. With these experiences, Tina has developed an engagement model recognizing energy, talent, and social capital in building confident professionals. She looks forward to building more custom resources, delivering content, and connecting with the wealth of perspectives that the Suffolk community offers!
Career Operations Staff
Matthew Hendricks, Director of Operations
Matthew Hendricks serves as Director of Operations. Most of his duties involve developing project strategy and overseeing departmental logistics and administration. Matthew believes that learning outside of the classroom can be as powerful as the experience gained in the classroom. This belief has served as the foundation for a career devoted to co-curricular learning, student success, and retention efforts. Matthew began his career at the University of Texas at Arlington, eventually serving as the Director of Programming and Marketing. Before coming to Suffolk, Matthew held the title of Assistant Dean of Students in the College and Senior Director of College Programming and Orientation at the University of Chicago. Matthew holds a B.A. in Psychology from Illinois Wesleyan University and a M.S. in Human Resources Management from UT-Arlington. In addition to developing innovative programming, Matthew has focused on organizational development and improving operational efficiencies in an effort to delivery the highest quality support to students.
Hayley Conard, Associate Director of Operations
Hayley Conard is on the Career Center's Operations Team as the Associate Director of Operations. Hayley has been with Suffolk University for over 5 years while pursuing her MBA part-time. Hayley holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Minor in Global Communication from Roger Williams University, Class of 2017. Hayley enjoys exploring new and effective ways to maintain streamlined operations for the Career Center staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders. She loves a challenge and is always up for finding the best solution. Hayley works closely with the back-end of Handshake, Employer Relations, WorkDay Financials & Contracts, Event Management, and other day-to-day or long-term projects. On the weekends you might find Hayley cooking up a new recipe, snowboarding, laughing with friends, or listening to Pearl Jam radio.
Brianna Franklin, Assistant Director of Operations for Career Programs & Events
Brianna joined the Center for Career Equity, Development & Success professional staff in August 2022. She is a Suffolk alumna, double major in Psychology and Sociology with a concentration in Crime & Justice and a minor in Women’s & Gender Studies. Brianna has a deep connection to the Center as a former RAMP mentee and Career Ambassador where she helped students foster career readiness skills and goals. Upon graduating, she accepted a full-time position in the Center as an Administrative Coordinator where she performed a wide range of duties including supporting center operations, event coordination, supervision of the Career Ambassador Marketing Team, and revitalization of our Signature Programs: RAMP and Job Shadowing Experience.
In August 2023, Brianna became the Assistant Director of Operations where she now takes the lead role in the planning and organizing of the event support work that the Operations Team does each day, including coordinating large-scale events such as Career Fairs and Networking Events. Additionally, Brianna will continue her work in supporting Signature Programs, organizing the Center’s event marketing on social media, distribution of marketing materials, and supervision of the student marketing team.
Justine Sennett, Front Desk Associate
Justine graduated from Bryant University in May 2022 and holds a Bachelors Degree with a major in Communication and an Entrepreneurship minor. At Bryant, she also worked in the Office of Student Event and Orientation Programs. Justine is passionate about helping students achieve their goals by connecting them with the appropriate Career Advisor, Career Ambassador, or other great resources.