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Career Development Center

Meet Our Staff

Executive Director

Executive Director

Shannon E. Rodriguez

518-580-5794
Pronouns: She/her

Role in the team: As executive director, I design and implement comprehensive career services that empower students for success in today's competitive job market. I also leverage expertise in higher education and student development to drive strategic initiatives and foster meaningful partnerships. 

Best spot in Saratoga: Saratoga Tea & Honey

Favorite activity outside of work: Gardening, kayaking, snowshoeing.

Bri Battiste

Brianna Battiste
Senior Assistant Director of Employer Relations/Summer Experience Fund Manager
Pronouns: She/Her
518-580-8265

 

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Role in the Team

I connect employers to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and work with students/alumni interested in careers in finance. I manage the Summer Experiences Survey, and my signature programs include The Summer Experience Fund, Internship Expo, Wall Street 101, and Peer Advisor Network.

Best spot in Saratoga:

Saratoga Farmers' market, Roosevelt Baths, SPAC.

Favorite activity outside of work:

I love to bring my German Shepherd lab on hikes in the Adirondacks.

 

Rachel Chase

Rachel Chase
Assistant Director of Career Development
Pronouns
:  She/Her
518-580-8216

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Role in the Team:

Career advisor with a specialty in health and science. I serve on the Health Professions Advising Committee (HPAC).

Best spot in Saratoga:

Anywhere there is swimming! You'll find me at the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø pool all winter and in various Adirondack lakes all summer.

Favorite activity outside of work:

I identify as a maker and enjoy learning new tools and methods. I always have an in-progress project such as woodworking, soldering or maple sugaring.

 

Kristen Flynn

Kristen Flynn
Temporary Program Coordinator
Pronouns
: She/Her
518-580-5790

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Role in the Team:

Overseeing the Zankel Experience Network (ZEN) initiatives of Summer Experience Fund and ZEN Mentoring programs.

Best spot in Saratoga:

Walking the Spring Run trail with coffee followed by lunch at Scallions (fried green tomatoes are a must!)

Favorite activity outside of work:

Hiking in the Adirondacks and baking sourdough bread.

 

Michelle Hubbs

Michelle Hubbs
Associate Director of Civic Engagement
Pronouns
: She/Her
518-580-5798

 

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Role in the Team:

Career advisor with a specialty in careers with social impact, non-profits, and community service. I serve on the Institutional Planning and Policy Committee (IPPC), as advisor to the student club, Benefaction, and regularly partner with our Civic Engagement faculty, particularly Applied Civic Engagement (ACE) courses. I also specialize in resources and programming for international students. My signature programs include: The Professional Success Series.

Best spot in Saratoga:

Canfield Casino and a concert at SPAC!

Favorite activity outside of work:

I enjoy playing tennis and fostering cats.

 

Lauren Sisson

Lauren Sisson
Associate Director of Career Development
Pronouns: She/Her
518-580-5793

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Role in the Team:

Career advisor with a specialty in arts, media, communications, and marketing. I also specialize in resources and programming for students with disabilities, and serve as a liaison to Alumni Relations & Campus Events. My signature programs include: Career Jam and the ZEN Mentoring Program.

Best spot in Saratoga:

I enjoy Uncommon Grounds caramel iced lattes (extra shot of espresso, always) and their bagels.

Favorite activity outside of work:

I love diving into a new drama series.

 

Nicole Todd

Nicole Todd
Assistant Director of Employer Relations
Pronouns: She/Her
518-580-5791

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Role in the Team:

I connect employers to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and work with students/alumni interested in careers in data science and technology. I manage the First Destinations Survey, and specialize in resources and programming for international students. My signature programs include: Career Connections and Data Science & Tech Mini Conference.

Best spot in Saratoga:

Saratoga Spa State Park.

Favorite activity outside of work:

Canoeing and camping.

 

Zach VanGalder

Zachary VanGalder
Associate Director
of Inclusive Career Exploration
Pronouns
: He/Him
518-580-5797

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Role in the Team:

Career  advisor with a specialty in government & policy, politics, international affairs, sustainability and consulting. I also serve as the pre-law advisor, specialize in early engagement, and lead several diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. My signature programs include: The Winter Job Shadow Program and First to Future: A Networking and Personal Branding Dinner for First Generation College Students.

Best spot in Saratoga:

I have a deep love for ice cream and my favorite spot is Humpty Dumpty’s which I find not a lot of people know about! Give it a try!

Favorite activity outside of work:

Nature walking.

 

Idalia Sepulveda

Idalia I. Sepúlveda
Staff Assistant Database/Website Coordinator
Pronouns:
She/Her
518-580-5673

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Role in the Team:

I support our Executive Director, professional staff, and Career Corps to provide career services to the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø community. I also manage website updates, Handshake, and process all budget requests.

Best spot in Saratoga:

"People watching" downtown Saratoga over some Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. 

Favorite activity outside of work:

Birdwatching and spending time with familia.