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.

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!

Maritza collaborates with CAPD staff to plan and execute events at MIT aimed at supporting students in advancing their career and educational paths. She earned her Communication degree from UMass Amherst.

What would you sing at Karaoke night? I Want it That Way by Backstreet Boys

Anna is a communications intern at CAPD where she will embark on multimedia work for CAPD’s social channels. She also works at Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Science as a video producer. She has her BFA in Media Arts with a concentration in video arts and a minor in Psychology from Northeastern University.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

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!  

Pronouns: she/her/hers

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.

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 and is the Pre-Law Advisor for MIT students and alumni within two years of graduation. As a part of this role, she serves as the Secretary of the Northeast Association of Pre-Law Advisors (NAPLA). Tianna also 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 Assistant Director for Early Career Engagement, Kendel (she/they) is the point person for MIT’s first and second year undergraduate students. 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’s professional background has been focused at the intersection of career development and education, encompassing both secondary and post-secondary settings. Kendel received a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and an M.Ed. in Student Affairs Counseling from Bridgewater State University.

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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 Business, Finance & Fintech

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Malgorzata coordinates events and career fairs at CAPD. With an MA in international relations from the Academy of International Relations in Gdynia, Poland, she brings two years of experience within the MIT community, previously as a Program and Events Coordinator at MIT Sloan Global Programs. Her expertise spans over a decade, organizing events for Poland’s government and corporate sectors, including roles at the Pomeranian Governor Office and LOTOS Group.

Contact Malgorzata for:
Career fairs and CAPD events.

Pronouns: he/him/his

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
• Students with a Career Interest in Consulting

She/her/hers

Elaine assists the Employer Relations team with the planning and execution of Career Fairs and employer events and programs to support students and postdocs in their career exploration and recruiting activities. She has an MS in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences and a BS in Health Sciences from UMass Boston. Elaine has been part of the MIT community for nearly 4 years and previously organized graduate student events and programs. In her free time, she enjoys reading, painting, calligraphy, and traveling.

What did you dream about being when you were in high school? A lover of books, I thought I would become a writer and had applied to college as an English major before ultimately switching to Health Sciences. I’d still like to write a book someday.

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.

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 both a Master’s degree in Health Communication and B.A in PR & Communication 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.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

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!

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.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

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.