Staff

Name Coach for how to Pronouce Deborah Liverman
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Deborah sets the strategic direction for Career Advising and Professional Development by working with groups, departments, employers, graduate and professional programs, fellowship programs, to provide opportunities centered on career development and success for MIT students, postdoc scholars, and recent alumni. She holds PhD from the University of Massachusetts; MEd from the University of South Carolina; BA from Davidson College. Experience includes over 20 years in higher education.

What is your favorite MIT hack ?  Upside Down Lounge near the Media Lab in 2010 When you walked under it, you just marveled at the amount of detail that it took to make it happen.

She/Her/Hers

Tamara leads multiple function areas in career services including employer relations, career fairs, and operations. She advises students at all levels but has a particular focus on assisting students with their job search decision making, negotiating, and engaging with employers. Tamara has a MS in Counseling with a concentration in Student Development in Higher Education from Central Connecticut State University, and a BS in Family Studies from the University of Connecticut. Experience includes over 20 years in higher education.

My favorite time of year at MIT/Cambridge/Kendall Sq…
I have a couple of favorites. In late spring the weather lifts your spirits after a dreary long New England winter. Kendall Square has a farmers market that is a great place to grab lunch and spend time enjoying the outdoors with colleagues. The other time of the year that I absolutely love is the Fall, particularly by the Charles River and the off the beaten path spots around campus between buildings where you find lovely courtyards with beautiful landscaping.

Ny assists with event logistics and marketing. She also manages WCAPD, an imaginary office-wide radio station.

What would you sing at Karaoke night?
Holiday by Madonna is my number one karaoke song.

Name Coach for How to Pronouce Lydia Huth
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Lydia provides communications support for both CAPD and the Office of Graduate Education. She holds a BA in Graphic Design & English from Campbell University, and her experience includes four years in communications for nonprofits and live entertainment as well as seven years teaching writing and literature.

What did you dream about being when you were a kid? I was convinced that I’d be a horse trainer in the Midwest – not sure why, since I’d never left the East Coast!

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Meredith leads the career advising team, which serves undergraduate students, graduate students, postdocs, and recent alumni. She collaborates with campus and external partners, and additionally advises undergraduate through PhD students and recent alumni to help them explore career paths and work toward their short- or long-term goals. Meredith holds an MEd in Higher Education Administration from Suffolk University. Her experience includes over 10 years in Higher Education, with a primary emphasis on career advising.

What is your favorite MIT hack? The Tetris hack of 2012. It was incredible to walk by the Green building at night to see it lit up and people playing large-scale Tetris on the side. Epic!  

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Simona provides career and professional development guidance for postdoctoral scholars across all disciplines and career interests (academia, industry and beyond). Simona has a PhD in Genetics from Stanford University, and was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Institutes of Health. She has conducted research in molecular, cell, and developmental biology, and has been involved in teaching, mentoring, and outreach. In her previous role, she provided career and professional development services to graduate students and postdocs.

What was your first job? My first job was being an assistant for the summer reading program at my local library. I got to talk to kids about books they were reading, do crafts, and give out stickers and prizes. I enjoyed the different aspects of mentoring, teaching, and community-building – which are also reflected in my current work!

Pronouns: he/him/his

Erik supports all students and young alumni as they explore options, gain skills and experience, and pursue their career goals. Erik advises the Peer Career Advising program and also supports students interested in Arts, Communications, and Media and who identify as veterans or as first generation/low income. He holds an MS in Organizational Psychology from the University of Hartford and a BA in Psychology from Northeastern Illinois University. Erik is a certified Career Services Provider through the NCDA, a Global Career Development Facilitator, an MBTI Practitioner, EQi 2.0 certified administrator, and a Certified LEGO Serious Play facilitator. Experience includes over 12 years in higher education with 7 years in career development.

What song would you say best sums you up?  “You’re Never Fully Dressed with out a Smile,” from the Broadway musical Annie.

Pronouns: she/her/hers Ariel is dedicated to helping students explore, discern, and discover their career purpose. As Assistant Director for Early Career Engagement, she is the point person for first and second year undergrads at MIT. With experience in health professions advising, Ariel is the liaison to the Life Sciences, Biotech, and Pharma career communities. Ariel’s background includes extensive international administration in higher education and NGOs in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. She earned her Bachelor’s in Culture & Communication from Ithaca College and a Master’s degree in Intercultural Theology from Georg-August-Universität in Göttingen, Germany. She loves learning languages & gardening.

Do you collect anything? My favorite souvenir to pick up while traveling is a drinking glass from the country. I love seeing which glass guests choose for themselves when they come over for dinner. My favorite glass in the collection is a clay wine glass with an octopus design that I brought back from Cyprus. You can practically feel the Mediterranean sea breeze when drinking from it!

In addition to providing career advice to MIT undergraduates, graduate students and recent alumni, Tavi also manages IAP micro-internships and the Architecture, Planning, & Design Pathway. She is always searching for new ways to help MIT students prototype their career options through internships, micro-internships, research or other experiential learning opportunities.

Tavi received an MSW from Columbia University and a BSW from New York University. Tavi was a first-generation college student and is always excited to help students figure out their next career move.

Do you collect anything? I collect spices because I love food and cooking! I especially enjoy using the spices I’ve bought during my travels.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Tianna works with first-year undergraduate through PhD students and recent alumni to help them explore and achieve their career goals. She supports the Social Impact, Policy, and Law Career Pathway, supervises the student Career Exploration Leaders, and collaborates with departments, programs, alumni, and employers to provide career exploration events and resources that allow students to learn about diverse career paths. Tianna received her BA from Boston College and her MSW from Columbia University. In 2021 Tianna won the Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) award and in 2022 she was selected for the DAAD German Academic Exchange Service tour for higher education leaders.

What was your first job? I was a Green Ambassador for Thompson Island Outward Bound for several summers in high school. I did trail maintenance and habitat preservation, learned arboriculture and got to climb really tall trees, and went on camping trips to the Boston Harbor Islands.

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Alexis offers career guidance for graduate students and specializes in supporting PhDs. She manages the Manufacturing & Transportation career pathway and collaborates with departments, alumni, and employers to facilitate learning and networking opportunities. Alexis is always excited to work with graduate students as they pursue diverse career trajectories in industry and academe. She received her BA from Franklin & Marshall College, her MA from The Jewish Theological Seminary, and her PhD from Boston University.

What is your favorite MIT hack? I love it when the hackers put things on top of the Great Dome! It’s always amusing and the scale and logistics never cease to amaze me.

As a Career Advisor, Kendel (she/they) supports MIT’s undergraduate and graduate students and alumni as they navigate their career journeys. Kendel also serves as a liaison to MIT’s Business, Finance, and Fintech career community, and supports underrepresented student groups including first-generation, low-income, LGBTQ+, and racial and ethnic minority students. Kendel received her B.S. in Kinesiology from UMass Amherst, an M.Ed. in Student Affairs Counseling from Bridgewater State University, and has worked in career development roles since 2014.

What has been your most interesting job? As a teen I worked as a Wheelchair Attendant for Tanglewood, an outdoor classical music venue that hosts the Boston Symphony Orchestra during the summer season. The job was incredibly physical both before and after shows, but in between we were able to sit back and listen to the music. The job exposed me to a wide variety of classical music, and I brushed shoulders with some famous musicians and actors during my time there!

Pronouns: he/him/his

Francis manages the employer relations team and works with employers to promote opportunities and advise on strategies to successfully recruit students and build brand awareness at MIT. He has an MS in Student Affairs Administration and MBA from Binghamton University, and a BA in Management from Hartwick College. Previous experiences include 15 years in Higher Education focusing on career services, marketing communications, and 10 years of experience in sales and marketing in the high-tech manufacturing and utility industries.

What was your most interesting job? A global marketing manager for a high-tech manufacturer. I traveled domestically and internationally (Brazil, China, India, Mexico, etc.) to regions where consumer electronics were being manufactured. I enjoyed experiencing local cultures, and my favorite was going to Singapore or China around the Lunar New Year.

Contact Francis for:

• Employers and Organizations seeking to recruit or build brand awareness at MIT
• MIT Student Outcomes Data including the annual Graduating Student Survey (GSS) and Earned Doctorate Survey as well as the biennial Summer Experience Survey
• Students with a Career Interest in Consulting

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Mitch organizes CAPD’s employer recruiting programs and provides support to employers in the development of their recruitment strategy. Born and raised right here in Cambridge, Mitch holds a BA in Communication and Management from Emmanuel College. He has been a part of the MIT community for about 6 years. Having spent time at the Sloan Business School, Chemistry Education Office, and the MIT Recreation gym.

My favorite time of year in Cambridge/Boston: The summer! I love the change in seasons throughout the year but the summers in Cambridge/Boston are second to none. The energy is amazing! Everybody is out walking or riding their bikes, fun Red Sox games are happening, and nothing beats the views while walking around the Charles River Esplanade, down the street from us at MIT!

Contact Mitch for:

• Employers and Organizations seeking to recruit or build brand awareness at MIT

He/Him/His

Dalton assists in coordinating campus recruiting activities such as internship and job postings and interview schedules on Handshake, as well as supporting recruiting programs and events. Additionally, he supports office operations as a member of the CAPD Support Team. Originally from Las Vegas, he received a BA in Psychology at Baylor University before moving to Boston.

What song would you say best sums you up?
I would say “What I got” by Sublime. I try my best to always be kind, be empathetic, and live the most worry free life that I can. Close second choice song: “I’m a Loser” by The Beatles.​

Providing a range of IT project coordination / implementation, support for computer software applications across all platforms, and managing IT vendor relationships for the organization.  Experience includes over 19 years in higher education, including IT support, graphic design, marketing, employer relations, and recruiting. I work with all members of the CAPD community to ensure the success of our mission.

What’s your favorite building at MIT? I’m still a big fan of the Stata building. Its architecture makes me feel like I’m looking at living art.

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Dana partners with student organizations and students interested in creating recruiting events, programs, and career fairs to connect with employers and organizations, providing guidance, information, and resources. She also oversees the annual CAPD-produced Master’s, PhD, and Postdoc Career Fair, and the student directors that run the annual Fall Career Fair. She is responsible for coordinating career fair and large-event recruiting activities held across MIT, and in collaboration with other colleges and universities. She has over 10 years of experience coordinating and implementing career events and fairs, and has previously worked for Simmons University, Liberty Mutual, and Medtronic. She also has extensive experience in survey design and implementation, purchasing and expense management, and student employee supervision. She holds a MEd in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University, and a BA in Psychology from Boston University.

What was your first job: I was a bookseller at Barnes & Noble in my junior and senior years of high school. I typically staffed the cash register or shelved books, but one day that asked me to work my shift in the café that was part of the store. I was never asked to work in the café again after that shift, and with good reason. In completely unrelated news, I don’t typically drink coffee.

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Aleshia leads the Prehealth team and manages assessments for the Career Advising and Professional Development Office. She holds a PhD in Health Professions Education from Simmons University, an MA in School Counseling from Assumption College and a BA in Biology from Colby-Sawyer College. She also has a Certificate in College Teaching from the Colleges of Worcester Consortium and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Students in Health Professions Education from Simmons University. Experience includes over 12 years in higher education, in both student advising and careers.

What is your favorite place on campus? ​The infinite corridor. I like the hustle and bustle of the Infinite.

Akunna assists in leading the Prehealth Advising team, with a primary focus on managing the Prehealth Advising services to MIT students and alumni. He holds a MEd in Educational Administration from UMass Boston and a BA in English from Clark University. Akunna’s experience includes higher education advising and career counseling, along with prior experience advising high school students and teaching.

What has been your favorite MIT moment?
There have been many, but most recently, being awarded MIT’s Infinite Mile Award for Everyday Leadership.  It’s such a great honor to be recognized for my work by my amazing colleagues.

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Abdul provides support for both the Prehealth Advising team and CAPD as a whole. He holds a BA in Communication & Public Relations from Lasell University.

If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have?

The power to change the weather so we won’t have brutal winter storms, freezing temperature, and heat waves.

A member of the Distinguished Fellowships and Prehealth Advising teams, Julia advises students and alumni applying to the Fulbright US Student Program. She also helps students preparing essays for graduate school applications. Julia has an MS in Health Policy & Management from the Harvard School of Public Health and a BA in Sociology from Harvard University. She is a proud member of the MIT radio station WMBR 88.1fm where she founded the Africa Kabisa radio program.

When you are on campus you should visit: MIT Chapel because of its tranquility and Eero Saarinen architecture.

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Kim oversees the distinguished fellowships program, including the Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Churchill, Gates Cambridge, Fulbright, Knight Hennessy, Schwarzman, and Truman. She serves as the Secretary for Phi Beta Kappa. Kim earned a BA  at Loyola University—New Orleans, a MA at Fordham University, and undertook doctoral studies (ABD) in medieval literature. She is a former Fulbright Fellow (IEA) to Japan. She has been a fellowships advisor for ~20 years.

What is your favorite MIT hack? Zombie Attack Emergency chain saw. It was just so clever, as it coincided with the opening of the McGovern Institute for Brain Research.

My background is in History and Philosophy, and I bring that critical eye to student advising. I’m an avid reader, lover of film, music, games, podcasts, and Capital A Art. Working with students on their fellowship applications allows me the privilege and opportunity to unite all of my interests and academic leanings into a unique approach to advising that I bring to each meeting with a student.

Whether you need assistance preparing for an interview or want to talk about the long-term process of preparing to apply for a scholarship, I am happy to work with you at any point of the process.

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.

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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.

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Erica provides support for MIT students and alumni who are exploring career opportunities as well as for those specifically pursuing a career in medicine. Erica received her DVM from Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and her BA in History from Oberlin College. She has four years of experience working as a clinical veterinarian.

Do you have any pets? I have two cats, Fred and George. Naming them after two of the most mischievous Harry Potter characters has been a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy – they certainly live up to their names!