Staff Directory

Christian Garcia is a higher education leader with 30 years of experience dedicated to advancing student career success. In September 2025, he became the Associate Vice President for Career & Professional Development at the University of Virginia (UVA), where he provides strategic leadership and oversight for the central career services center and its team of more than 35 professionals. In this role, Christian also convenes and chairs the Career Services Council, fostering collaboration among career services affiliates across all 12 UVA schools.

Prior to joining UVA, Christian spent 24 years at the University of Miami as Associate Dean and Executive Director of the Patricia and Harold Toppel Career Center, one of the nation’s most innovative and dynamic career centers. Under his leadership, the center expanded its reach and reputation, raising millions of dollars for a state-of-the-art facility and new endowments to support students through funded internships, professional development programs, and essential resources like career clothing assistance. He also led multiple strategic plans, building strong partnerships across campus and the community to engage students in meaningful career exploration and preparation.

A recognized thought leader in career services, Christian was awarded the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Mackes Leadership Award for his exemplary leadership in advancing ethics, inclusion, and innovation. He has also been honored as NACE Mentor of the Year for his dedication to supporting and guiding newer professionals. Christian has served on the boards of several national professional associations, including NACE.

A world traveler, his international perspective includes serving as a Fulbright grant recipient, spending time in Germany with U.S. colleagues to study student employability and the higher education system.

Born and raised in Miami to Costa Rican parents, Christian was the first in his family to attend college. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida International University and his master’s degree in higher education administration from Florida State University. His journey reflects his lifelong commitment to access, opportunity, and helping students achieve their career goals.

As the Director of Career Communities, Michelle is passionate about helping students discover their motivations, strengths, and values and applying those to their career choices. A journalist and writer by training, Michelle has transferred her editing and interviewing skills to editing resumes and conducting mock interviews. Her goal is to help students use their own transferrable skills to succeed in their career goals. Michelle leads the Education& Youth Development and Healthcare career communities and is particularly interested in supporting students pursuing careers in those fields. She also enjoys working with the Career Center’s graduate students and student workers.

Michelle studied English and Communication at Virginia Tech and worked for a few years in the nonprofit, newspaper, and technology industries before moving on to complete her master’s degree in Student Affairs at the University of Virginia. She also worked as a graduate student in the Career Center before joining the staff as a full-time career counselor in August 2014.

As Assistant Director for Employer Engagement at the UVA Career Center, Brittany serves as the primary relationship manager for employers in the financial services and investment banking industries while also supporting partnerships with organizations in the technology and renewable energy sectors.

A Virginia native, Brittany graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, with a minor in Criminal Justice, in 2017. She then went on to graduate with honors from the Clinical Social Work Master’s program at VCU in 2019. She spent five years working in corporate staffing, where her responsibilities included maintaining relationships with hiring managers, regularly conducting market research around job trends, and sourcing and preparing candidates for interviews. Brittany is excited to bring her corporate and educational background together to serve as an essential facilitator for hiring managers and students alike.

With a passion for helping others achieve their goals, Brittany believes that exposure and opportunity can help people find their purpose in the world. She’s thrilled to become a part of UVA students’ journey toward discovering their purpose.

“If you enjoyed the time you wasted, then it wasn’t wasted time.” – John Lennon

As a career counselor and advisor, Rebecca is invested in helping students discover their interests and refine their skills through experiential learning opportunities. At the UVA Career Center, Rebecca leads the Internship Placement Program (IPP) which connects undergraduate students with professional internships. During her undergraduate studies at UVA, Rebecca participated in IPP and is devoted to giving back to a program that was transformational in her own career journey.

Rebecca studied Psychology at the University of Virginia and worked on a labor and delivery unit in a hospital centered on women’s care before going on to complete her master’s and education specialist degree in counseling with a concentration in career counseling. In her spare time, she enjoys reading mystery novels, traveling to historical landmarks, watching college football, and spending time with her family.

As Assistant Director for Data & Technology, Nikki helps ensure that the technology supporting the University Career Center is accessible, reliable, and easy to use. She serves as the primary administrator for many of the Career Center’s technology platforms, including Handshake and Beyond Grounds, and assists students, alumni, faculty, staff, and employer partners with account access, technical troubleshooting, and navigating the digital tools that connect them with career resources and opportunities. Whether answering a quick technology question or improving processes behind the scenes, Nikki enjoys making technology feel approachable and helping people get where they need to go. She believes technology should simplify people’s work, not complicate it, and strives to create systems that are intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly.

Before becoming Assistant Director for Data & Technology in December 2024, Nikki served as the Career Center’s Employer Accounts & Events Manager, where she supported employer engagement, career fairs, and recruiting events. That experience gave her a unique perspective on the needs of students, employers, and Career Center staff, which she now applies to improving the systems and technology that support those relationships.

Nikki earned a Bachelor of Music from Longwood University and a Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Leadership and Administration from Old Dominion University. She enjoys translating complex systems into practical solutions, finding ways to make everyday work more efficient, and creating positive experiences for everyone who interacts with the Career Center.

Outside of work, Nikki enjoys attending live concerts, good food, and discovering smarter ways to do just about anything.

As career counselor, Isaac works with students as they navigate through the various stages of their career exploration and development. He works with students in multiple capacities, including one-on-one appointments and drop-in hours. As a member of the Creative and Business Communities, Isaac supports students who are interested in various pathways on the road to a career in these fields.

Before joining the Career Center in June of 2024, Isaac worked as a Graduate Assistant for Career Counseling and Employer Relations at Clemson University. Before that position, he was the assistant director of a camp and an after-school program. He was also the founder of a handyman business while pursuing his undergraduate and graduate work. He has done everything from handyman services to program management to career counseling.

Isaac studied Parks Recreation and Tourism Management before completing his Masters of Education in Higher Education at Clemson University.  With his student affairs experience, Isaac is interested in helping explore the many paths they can take to accomplish whatever version of success that they wish to accomplish. In his free time, Isaac likes to paint, play jazz music on his trumpet, hike, cook fusion foods, and read poetry.

Current favorite quotes:

• “Just keep swimming.” – Finding Nemo, 2003
• “Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.” – Edgar Allan Poe

Hunter helps students of all years and majors with major and/or career development. He works with students in various capacities including one-on-one appointments, drop-in hours, and/or classroom presentations. As a member of the Exploration community, Hunter can help students who are trying to discover their major and how that connects to a career.

Prior to joining the UVA Career Center in August 2017, Hunter was a graduate Career Coach at the University of Kansas helping students navigate the career exploration process. He also worked with the Women’s Center as the Men and Masculinities Intern, creating and delivering presentations to various student groups on the definitions of healthy masculinity and how it benefits all people. Hunter is passionate about helping students discover what it is they want to do. With a background in gender and racial inequality, Hunter utilizes an intersectional lens to better serve students who have been marginalized.

Hunter studied Sociology as an undergraduate before receiving his Master’s in Higher Education Administration. Both of his degrees come from the University of Kansas. In his free time Hunter enjoys catching up on the latest movies/shows, Twitter, or trying the latest restaurant Charlottesville has to offer.

As the Senior Assistant Director of Pre-Health Advising, Kyle advises UVA students and alumni to help them reach their goals in clinical healthcare. She believes every student has a unique path and enjoys uncovering their strengths as they navigate entry to health professions programs.

She graduated from University of Lynchburg with a degree in Communication Studies before pursuing her Master’s Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs at University of South Carolina. Kyle has worked in career services since the beginning of her career and thoroughly enjoys helping students step into the next chapter of their lives.

Originally from Farmville, VA, Kyle enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching college sports, reading, exercising, and being outdoors enjoying the beauty of Charlottesville! Feel free to reach out if you have questions about pre-health advising!

Maeve Konouck serves as the Assistant Director on the Internship Placement Program team. In this role, Maeve interacts with students and employers participating in the program. She engages with students on advising, interviewing, internship placements, and general program support. Maeve interacts with employers to onboard them into the program, help develop internship descriptions, and troubleshoot any problems that arise.  

Prior to joining the IPP team, Maeve worked as the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (VTOP) Project Coordinator. VTOP, a statewide initiative, aims to expand paid and credit-bearing internships and other work-based learning opportunities for students. Maeve worked specifically to connect UVA students with internships that Central Virginian employers were hosting.   

Maeve graduated from the University of Virginia in 2022 with a B.A. in Medical Anthropology. In her free time, Maeve enjoys reading, playing pickleball, and trying new restaurants in Charlottesville. 

Dan Loughrey is the Associate Director for Assessment and Outcomes and oversees the assessment, technology, and marketing functions of the UVA Career Center.

Prior to joining the Career Center, Dan held various positions in international education, experiential learning, and career development offices throughout public and private universities across his home state of New Jersey. He also spent several years in the private business world working for a coffee importing business in both trading and marketing roles.

Dan earned a BA in International Studies from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a MA in International Education from the SIT Graduate Institute.

Dr. Monica McEnerny joined the University of Virginia’s Internship Placement Program team in November 2025 and serves as Experiential Learning Coordinator for the Coleman Family Ventures (CFV) Fellowship in Pediatrics and Family Medicine.

Over the course of her career, Dr. McEnerny has served in various leadership capacities. She supported pre-service and practicing educators as Professor of Education for Vermont State University/Castleton (VTSU) from 2012-2024 and was a public school secondary English teacher for a decade preceding that service.  At VTSU, she served as Chair of the Education Department for 3 years, as President of the Vermont Association for Middle Level Education for two terms, and as coordinator and educator in the Educational Leadership master’s program. She returned to her home state of Virginia in 2024 to gain additional relevant and timely experiences as Interim Associate Director for the Madison Center for Civic Engagement at James Madison University. In addition to her work coordinating the Coleman Fellows, she continues to teach part-time when invited by UVA, VTSU, Fairfield University, and the Vermont Middle Grades Institute.

A past fellow of the National Writing Project, her book, entitled A Teacher’s Journey to Adolescence: Scholarly and Personal Perceptions of Resilience at the Middle Level is written as a scholarly personal narrative. Her background includes a global perspective informed from international engagement with and without students, including as Fulbright Specialist in Kazakhstan in both 2016 and 2023, where she built bridges between teachers in the Northeast and those in Central Asia. 

Dr. McEnerny’s current work as Experiential Learning Coordinator for aspiring physicians connects with her research in resilience, wellness, and the nature and needs of children and youth.  When not on Grounds, she is grateful for time with her family and standard poodle, for opportunities to create and share art, and for opportunities to explore her new home in and around the Charlottesville area.

As the lead for the UVA Career Center Employer Relations Team, Kate creates connections to jobs, mentorship, and internship opportunities with companies and organizations across all industries. Kate’s advising background has focused on creative industries, tech/product roles, startups, education, and portfolio careers. She is a proud alumnus of UVA’s School of Education and the College of William & Mary.

As the Assistant Director, Sustainability Career Community, Ash serves students as they process the questions and steps involved in their career journeys. She works with students through one-on-one appointments, drop-ins, and various career programs. As the Career Counselor for the Sustainability Career Community, Ash supports students who have an interest in careers related to sustainability. She also works with students navigating the law school application process and those interested in careers with a social impact. Her goal is to empower students to feel that they have the resources and supports necessary to pursue their career aspirations.

Prior to joining the UVA Career Center full-time in 2023, Ash received her Masters of Education in Higher Education from the University of Virginia and also worked as the UVA Career Center’s career counseling graduate intern.

Ash received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Florida. In addition to having a range of experiences related to wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education, Ash worked for several years in the University of Florida Career Connections Center, which ignited her love of career counseling.

In her free time, Ash loves spending time with her wife and their two cats (Noodles and Junimo), playing video games and board games, and cooking.

Paul serves as the Associate Director of Employer Relations at the UVA Career Center. He is primarily responsible for maintaining employer relations’ operations, overseeing all on-Grounds recruiting functions and supervising the account management team. Working closely with affiliate partners across Grounds, he facilitates communication with employers and alumni to build and strengthen relationships and increase opportunities for internships and job opportunities for students. He also identifies opportunities to incorporate experiential learning for skill development and networking experience.

Prior to joining the UVA Career Center in May 2022, he worked in the field of international education, serving as director of the education abroad office at Clemson University, and as an assistant director in the Global Education Office for Undergraduates at Duke University. After earning his B.A. in Political Science at Siena College, he completed his M.A. in International Studies at the State University of New York at Albany (Rockefeller College) and most recently his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University.

As the Assistant Director of the Exploration Community, Kristi helps UVA students of all years and majors discover their interests, skills, and passions and prepare for their careers. Her mission is to demystify career development for college students and empower them to make confident decisions about their major and career. Kristi also manages the Career Peer Educator Program of 18 undergraduate students who assist fellow students in their career development.

Kristi previously worked on the Exploration Team as a Career Fellow. Prior to joining the UVA Career Center, she worked in the Admissions and Orientation Offices at Roanoke College. As a student at Roanoke, Kristi also conducted research in the psychology department focused on sense of purpose in college students. All of these experiences gave her a passion for helping students find their place and thrive in college.

Kristi holds a B.S. in Psychology from Roanoke College and an M.Ed. in Higher Education from the University of Virginia. In her free time, she loves thrifting, reading, listening to music, and attending concerts.

As Director of Advising and Career Exploration, Carrie works with the career counselors to create programs and services that serve students’ unique career development needs, along with directly advising students herself. She is passionate about student development and has a particular interest in working with incoming students and those needing additional support.  A major component of her work is to help students join the University community, develop a sense of belonging, explore new opportunities to become engaged and begin thinking about major choice, internships and life beyond Grounds.  To accomplish these goals, she frequently partners with student groups and CIOs, faculty, particularly Advising Deans and Pre-major Advisors in the College as well as a host of Student Affairs Offices.  In addition, she serves as an Advisor to the Third Year Class and collaborates often with Class Councils and Trustees.

Carrie has worked in the Career Center since 1998. Prior to joining UVA, Carrie worked as an Admissions Counselor in higher education, in College Counseling and Admissions for a private and independent school and in physician recruiting for a hospital. She has experience working with first- through fourth-year students on issues of exploration, major and career choice, and internship and job search.  Her approach is personalized to each student and incorporates a holistic model to empower students to gain confidence in whatever goals they want to achieve in that moment.

Carrie completed her B.A. in Psychology at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, and holds a M.Ed. in Counselor Education from Kent State University. In her free time, Carrie enjoys nature, growing flowers, cycling and spending time with her animals and family.

Kelli Sims helps support the UVA Career center’s Exploration Team and Virginia Alumni Mentoring community so that students can build skills and relationships that assist their professional development.

With a personal philosophy that, “you can never stop improving,” Kelli finds so much joy in fostering the talent fueled by passion, in and outside of UVA. Kelli has a passion for photography, and that passion lead her to running a wedding and portrait photography business outside of regular work hours. Kelli also works as a dance instructor at the very same studio she grew up dancing in. She has always had a passion for dance and is honored to foster that passion in the new generation.

She achieved an associates of science degree from Liberty University, and prior to joining the UVA Career Center, Kelli worked as a Social Media and Marketing Manager at a local brewery. In her free time she likes to live an active lifestyle, prioritize time with family, and integrate photography into her daily life.

As Assistant Director of Pre-Health Advising at the University of Virginia, Kate works with UVA students and alumni who are interested in pursuing graduate health professions programs and careers in clinical healthcare. In her five years of professional experience in higher education, she’s developed a strong foundation in academic advising, career counseling, program planning, and curriculum development. She thrives in student-centered environments where she can build relationships, design impactful programming, and help learners connect their academic choices with long-term professional goals. She is passionate about healthcare, science, and higher education so pre-health advising is a perfect fit!

Before joining the Career Center in 2023, Kate served as a College Coordinator at Rice University and then as a Residence Life Coordinator at UVA. In both of these roles, she provided holistic, direct support to students while helping them navigate university resources. In all of her positions, Kate has strived to create positive student experiences, promote student success, and help students through their journey in undergrad and beyond.

Kate graduated from Radford University as a Highlander Honors Scholar with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Liberal Arts. She is currently a part-time graduate student at the University of Virginia. Outside of work, Kate enjoys reading, learning foreign languages, traveling, and spending time with her husband and their two rescue dogs.