Graduate Student Professional Development

Amanda coordinates professional development programming for graduate students. She believes that graduate education can and should be student-centered and works to help graduate students thrive. Her career in higher education has focused on supporting PhD students in their professional development and career readiness, and prior to coming to MIT, she worked with graduate students and postdocs at UCLA and with Northeastern University’s PhD Network.

Amanda has a Ph.D. in comparative literature from the University of Oregon, an M.A. in writing and publishing from Emerson College, and a B.A. in English from Willamette University.

What’s the most interesting thing you can see out of your window? I find it interesting to see the layering of old and new buildings that characterize Boston, from stately Victorian and Edwardian row houses to shiny skyscrapers. I also love to watch the scrappy urban sparrows that frequent my window bird feeder.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Elsie supports professional development initiatives for master’s and PhD students. Her professional experience includes over 15 years in Higher Education, with a primary emphasis on professional development. Elsie holds an MS in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College and a BA in History from Union College. What’s the most interesting thing you can see out of your kitchen window? I have enjoyed watching the random wildlife that wanders into my backyard, including an eagle, bunnies, turkeys, and neighborhood cats.

Chioma Opara (she/her/hers) is the Graduate Student Professional Development Programs Intern. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a concentration in Health Psychology and a minor in Race and Ethnic Studies, from UMASS Lowell in 2023. She is currently pursuing her master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Boston College. Chioma is excited to apply and expand on her knowledge while interning in the CAPD department. Outside of work, she enjoys long walks on the beach and being unnecessarily competitive during UNO games.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Tara is a second-year Biology PhD student. She graduated from Brown University in 2020 with a BS in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Before starting graduate school she worked in life sciences consulting at ClearView Healthcare Partners for two years in New York City. When not in lab, she enjoys reading and running, and can also be found teaching yoga at Corepower in Kendall Square!