Office of Career Success Faculty & Staff

Assistant Dean, Office of Career Success

As the first Assistant Dean of the new Office of Career Success, Holly Lawrence comes with experience from the academic field of business communications and the practical area of career and professional development. The former Director of the Business Communication Program, she has been teaching undergraduates and graduate students as well as leading a variety of initiatives within Isenberg for over 20 years. Her most recent projects include leading the IConnect site development, bringing life design into more of the School’s core curriculum, and expanding the reach of Isenberg career and professional development services.

When asked what her favorite part of her job is, Holly responds without hesitation — “working with some of the best students in all of higher education! Isenberg students are smart, enthusiastic, dedicated, and ready to work. Helping them meet their career goals is one of the best feelings possible.” Holly earned her PhD in 2008 in Composition and Rhetoric from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She holds a BA from George Mason University’s Writing Program.

Executive Director, Chase Career Center | Executive Career Coach for MBAs

Nic has led the Chase Career Center, providing strategic management and oversight of the undergraduate and MBA career management functions, since 2006. Prior to joining Isenberg, Nic served as the Director of the Career Center at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management. He has also served in a progression of senior management roles (domestic and international) with Eastman Kodak, and possesses extensive experience in Marketing, Product Management, Organizational Effectiveness, Change Management, Strategic Planning, and Talent Acquisition.

Schedule an appointment with Nic via Bookings here! (In-person and online appointments available)

Director of Undergraduate Career Services

As Director of Undergraduate Career Services, Melissa is focused on empowering Isenberg undergraduates to develop the insights, experience and connections to pursue personally meaningful careers throughout their lives, as well as providing a best-in-class recruiting experience for Isenberg’s employer partners. She has worked at the Chase Career Center for over ten years, starting as a Career Advisor in 2012. Prior to joining Chase, Melissa spent 12 years working in corporate human resources, including university relations, executive development, and learning and development. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and her M.Ed. in Higher Education from the University of Virginia. Melissa is an avid armchair traveler and animal lover who spends much of her spare time with her rescued dogs and cat.

Director of Graduate Career Services

As Director of Graduate Career Services, Trista is concentrated on strategic efforts to advance employer engagement and career services across masters programs at Isenberg. Responsible for overseeing the programming, strategy and services to support career seminars, orientations, workshops and more. Trista’s overall goal is to set students up for career growth and successful outcomes during and upon completion of their studies. She’s always excited to open doors for career exploration, advancement and opportunity!

Prior to this role, Trista has been with Isenberg for over 10 years in the Graduate & Professional Programs department. Most recently the Director of MBA Alumni & Corporate Relations. She has earned a dual-degree BA in Computer Information Technology & Media Management from Elms College and MBA from Isenberg, UMass Amherst.

Learn a little bit more about what drives Trista from her 2019 BusinessWest 40 Under 40 article here.

Associate Director, Career Development |  Career Coach

Over 20+ years at Isenberg, Kim has built her career around coaching, developing expertise in both accounting and finance areas and leveraging her wide network to create programs and a robust community that supports Isenberg students. Kim works with both undergraduates and specialty master’s students on career development and the job search success.  Kim earned her M.Ed. in Student Development from the University of Maine, Orono and a B.A. in Music & Art History from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME. Her career has been anything but  linear, illustrating that being open to opportunities could just lead you to the career you love!

To schedule an appointment with Kim:

Accounting Undergraduate Students – Click here

MSA Students – Click here

MF Students – Click here

Associate Director, Graduate Career Development | Career Coach

Inclusive and approachable, Rachel (she/her) enjoys assisting students and alumni with professional development through career counseling and mentorship, and is passionate about building mutually beneficial partnerships for Isenberg students and employers as a means to advance professional and organizational goals and outcomes. She holds an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst and a BA in Communication from the University of New Hampshire.

To schedule an appointment with Rachel: 

MS Business Analytics Students – Click here

Assistant Director, Career Development | Career Coach

Dave is dedicated to a maximalist approach to career preparation and seeks to engage students in a life-long process of discovery and growth. With a background in career advising and instructional design at a four-year college in South Florida, Dave has led undergraduate instructional advancement initiatives and has taught first-year experience courses to first generation undergraduates. He earned his M.A. in Counseling from Eastern Michigan University and his M.S. in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University. When he is not coaching students to calibrate their career compass, you can find him biking, skiing, hiking, and kayaking throughout New England.

Assistant Director Career Development | Career Coach

Tom joined Isenberg in August 2022 as an Assistant Director of Career Development and works with students in Operations & Information Management, Sport Management, MBA and MSBA. Previously, he worked in Career Services at Southern New Hampshire University, Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Quinsigamond Community College, and the University of Massachusetts Boston. Tom has certifications in Résumé Writing (Certified Professional Résumé Writer), Interviewing (Certified Employment Interview Professional), Career Coaching (Certified Professional Career Coach), and Digital Career Strategy (Certified Digital Career Strategist). He is also a Global Career Development Facilitator. Strike up a conversation about all things Marvel and DC!

To schedule an appointment with Tom:

MS SPORT MANAGEMENT, MBA, MSBA – Click here

OIM & SPORT MANAGEMENT UNDERGRADUATES – Click here

Assistant Director, Employer Relations

Noelle joins the Chase Career Center team with a background in talent acquisition and corporate recruiting. She is eager to use her skills to support Isenberg students and enhance the on-campus recruiting experience. Prior to this role, Noelle worked as a Corporate Recruiter at Barton Associates Inc. where she managed the direct staffing needs of their internal sales and corporate positions. Noelle received her B.A. in Business from Saint Anselm College in 2017.

Senior Lecturer, Business Communication Program | Communications Coach

A senior lecturer with the Business Communication Program, Brian is also a professional writing and communication coach for students in Isenberg’s MBA and Specialized Masters programs. For over two decades, he has helped emerging and seasoned professionals communicate with impact and influence. Brian earned his PhD in Adult Learning from the University of Connecticut in 2016; he also holds an MA in Composition and Rhetoric from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from Iowa State University’s Ivy School of Business. While at Iowa State, he co-founded the school’s Business Communications Center and served as a managing editor for the American Accounting Association.

Brian’s particular interests include reflective practice, plain style writing, and mid-career professional transitions.

Assistant Director, Career Development | Career Coach

Alaina joined the Office of Career Success in January 2023 as a Career Coach and currently serves all undergraduate majors and students pursuing a Specialized Master’s Degree – MSBA. Alaina is passionate about supporting students in exploring their career goals and enjoys being a positive and motivating mentor for Isenberg students. Prior to coming to Isenberg, Alaina earned her BA in Accounting, as well as her MBA, from Assumption University’s Grenon School of Business and started her early professional career as an Audit Associate at KPMG.

To schedule an appointment with Alaina:

Undergraduate Students – Click here

MS Business Analytics Students – Click here

Assistant Director, Career Development | Career Coach

With over 15 years of experience advising and supporting students, Dan has developed a comprehensive approach to working alongside undergraduates as they explore and launch their careers. He joined UMass in 2016 in a human resources organizational development role, moved to Isenberg’s Undergraduate Programs Office as a program coordinator in 2021, and transitioned to the Office of Career Success in 2023. Prior to UMass, Dan worked in student affairs at Wesleyan University and Roger Williams University. Additionally, he has work experience in commercial fisheries management and aquaculture. Dan earned his B.S. from Roger Williams University and holds an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University. When not in the office, he is likely sharing a bike ride with his children, admiring impressionist works at a museum, or enjoying the local food scene.

Assistant Director, Career Development | Career Coach

Paige joined the Office of Career Success in June 2023 as an Assistant Director of Career Development. Prior to coming to Isenberg, Paige earned her BBA in Marketing and a BSM in Sport Management from Ohio University. After her undergraduate coursework, she worked for the Hall of Fame Resort and Entertainment Company where she led content strategy and partnership activation for their Hall of Fame Village project. Additionally, she returned to Ohio University to complete their dual MBA/MSA program. With a passion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, Paige is excited to mentor students by igniting their passions and career goals!

To schedule an appointment with Paige:

Sport Management Undergraduate Students – Click here

MS Sport Management & MBA/MS Sport Students – Click here

Assistant Director, Career Development | Career Coach

Lauren Casaceli Abad is an Assistant Director of Career Development and proud Isenberg alumna. Lauren has a background in advertising and marketing focusing on strategic planning, brand management and marketing communications programs for clients in the higher education, financial services, healthcare and non-profit industries. In addition, she has a Master’s Degree in School Counseling. As a student, Lauren was an active member in the Isenberg community as a leader in the Women in Business Club and a founding member of the Women of Isenberg Conference. She appreciates how students’ unique interests, values and goals shape their career journeys. Lauren is thrilled to return to Isenberg to support students in their career development!