OPCD staffers present at NCACE, take on leadership roles

June 24, 2014

Several Wake Forest staff members have recently taken on leadership roles and made presentations at the North Carolina Association of Colleges and Employers (NCACE) annual conference held in Atlantic Beach from April 30-May 2.

Hutchens

In addition to being selected as president elect of the NCACE for 2014-15, Dana Hutchens, employer experience manager, presented “Hire U: Providing Students the Employer Perspective,” a workshop that turns the tables on students, putting them in the role of recruiters having to review resumes and make interview selections. As the 2013 Furney K. James Outstanding Service Award winner, she served on the 2014 awards committee and completed her executive board two-year position as treasurer, where she also acted as the conference budget manager. Hutchens will assume the president role for the 2015-16 year.

Sykes

Waddell

Lori Sykes, employer outreach manager, and Tiffany Waddell, assistant director for career education and coaching, presented a workshop on “Students + Alumni = Opportunities,” where they shared about the successful “go to market” career education programs, treks and networking events that Wake Forest has hosted for students. Sykes has served on the 2014 executive board for NCACE in the role of employer visitation representative and was selected to be co-chair for the 2015 conference. She was also the recipient of the 2014 Presidential Award which honors a recipient who has been an NCACE member for a minimum of one year and a maximum of four years and has demonstrated notable contributions to NCACE, career services and/or college recruitment. The award recognizes emerging leaders within the association and field who have gone “above and beyond.” In her role at Wake Forest, Sykes develops relationships with local, regional and national organizations that result in experiential learning opportunities, internships and full-time employment for students. Waddell served as one of the conference programming co-chairs and was the lone member of the recreation committee, who planned recreational activities for the 100+ attendees.

McElwee

Verna

Willard

Caleigh McElwee, the associate director of market readiness and employment for the School of Business (undergraduate programs), served the organization as the conference printing and publicity co-chair.

Nadine Verna, an assistant director of market readiness and employment for the School of Business (MA program), held the position of technology chair.

Amy Willard, assistant director for professional development, presented “To Blog or Not to Blog: Educating Students Through Social Media,” sharing details on creating, curating and delivering content to students in creative, strategic ways: where they are—on smartphones and social media. (See Professional Confessional, a blog providing tips and resources for life after college.)