About Us

Jessica Bowers

In August 2018, Jessica moved to Alabama and joined the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering in its endeavor to launch an Office of Career Development and Corporate Relations (CDCR). She provided leadership and strategic direction for the establishment of CDCR student career development and coaching services.  Jessica now leads the CDCR’s efforts to curate, integrate, and scale career development materials and approaches at strategic intervals within the engineering student experience.

Jessica is passionate about supporting college students in the discovery, realization, and achievement of their personal, academic, and career goals. She also relishes the use of design and technology solutions to convey career stories and make career development content and approaches accessible to all students.

After the completion of her undergraduate degree, Jessica worked for a civil engineering consulting firm in Charlotte, North Carolina before entering graduate school. Since then, she served in a variety of roles in academic and career advising at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville and the University of Virginia.

Education:

• University of Tennessee - Knoxville, M.S. in College Student Personnel
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte, B.A. in Organizational Communications and Psychology

Megan Oakes

Megan joined the Office of Career Development and Corporate Relations in May 2022 as she was working towards earning her bachelor’s degree. After graduation in May 2024, she transitioned to her current role as the Coordinator of Career Development Content. In her role, Megan manages the CDCR social media, designs promotional materials for events and programs, and develops digital career development and coaching content throughout the academic year.

Megan is motivated to support the CDCR mission by increasing the accessibility of professional development content to help students feel empowered to pursue meaningful careers after college through compelling promotional planning and content development. She loves coming up with creative ways to get students involved with career development using design, technology, and compelling storytelling.

Education:

• Auburn University, B.F.A. in Graphic Design

Candice Kelly

Candice joined the CDCR in August 2023 to support the SGCOE Next Level Career Development and Writing Program. In that role, she contributes to the development of career development and reflective writing assignments, grading rubrics, and faculty instructional guidance materials. She also provides grading support for those assignments when integrated into existing engineering courses. 

Candice relocated from Chicagoland/Northwest Indiana to pursue a PhD in Higher Education Administration here at Auburn. Her research interests in career-readiness and equitable advancement, combined with her professional experience in marketing communications, provides a background uniquely befitting CDCR initiatives to integrate career-development and reflective writing across the curriculum. Having lived and worked in widely diverse locations such as Chicago, Cleveland, Oakland and Brussels Belgium, Candice is driven to help students embrace lifelong learning towards professional development, contextual self-awareness, and building relationships with others through effective communication.

Prior joining CDCR in August 2023, Candice became exposed to the world of engineering as a communications administrator for the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District, and as an adjunct instructor for the master’s program at the Mineta Transportation Institute.

Education:

• DePaul University, M.B.A.
• Syracuse University, B.S. in Marketing Management

Marissa Miller

Marissa joined the Office of Career Development and Corporate Relations in December 2019 as a career counselor and currently serves as the Assistant Director of Career Coaching & Programs, bringing 7+ years of career counseling and coaching experience. She most enjoys working individually and in group settings with students and supporting them in their career exploration journey, along with ensuring she can assist in finding resources and opportunities as students seek rewarding ways to pursue their interests and design their careers.  As a member of the Career Coaching & Programs team, Marissa has the rewarding opportunity of developing program content for career development workshops, including events with Engineering young alumni and industry professionals, along with the implementation of group career coaching sessions to serve Engineering students as they embark on their individualized career development process and seek experiential learning opportunities within industry.

Education:

• Auburn University, M.Ed. in Administration of Higher Education
• University of Florida, B.S. in Sport Management

Heather Rush

Heather joined the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering in summer 2021. She serves as a Career Coach and helps students with their overall career exploration and development. She believes everyone has their own unique story and enjoys helping students tell that story to employers, whether it is through a resume, cover letter, interview, or networking with employers.  

Heather brings close to 20 years of experience in higher education in various roles. Her passion is helping students find their path as they discover and achieve their career goals. She enjoys creating opportunities for students to explore their interests and challenge them to see what they can accomplish. 

Heather is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW).

Education:

• The University of Georgia, M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Administration
• Georgia Southern University, B.S. in Business Administration – Marketing

Jane Kim

In May 2021, Jane joined the Career Development and Corporate Relations Office as a graduate assistant. Upon completion of her master’s degree in May 2022, Jane transitioned into the Cooperative Education and Internship Coordinator role to guide students through the career discovery process and to provide resources for student professional development. Passionate about helping students reach their full potential as young professionals, Jane works directly with students to prepare them for the co-op and internship process, provides coaching and support throughout students’ work experiences, and distributes competency assessments to strengthen the skillset of Auburn students. She works directly with co-op and internship students to provide career coaching to help students make the most of their work experiences.

After completing her undergraduate degree, Jane worked as general manager of a local business to train employees and acted as a liaison between higher-ups and high school and college-aged employees. Through this role, Jane uncovered her passion for working with students to prepare them for the world of work. Jane enjoys seeing students blossom into confident individuals as they learn more about and navigate the various career development stages.

Education:

• Auburn University, M.S. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• Auburn University, B.A. in Psychology

Hannah Tarwater

Hannah joined the CDCR as a graduate assistant in August 2023 while working on her master's degree. After graduation, she transitioned to her current role as a career coach in July 2024. In her position, she engages with students individually and in group sessions to enhance their career-related skills. Hannah's passion for education and heart for people drives her to support students in achieving their academic and vocational goals. She finds joy in contributing to the growth of the student community and in being part of the dedicated CDCR team.

Education:

• Auburn University, M.Ed. in Elementary Education 
• Auburn University, B.S. in Elementary Education

Abigail Baker

Abigail joined the Career Development and Corporate Relations Office in 2024 as a graduate assistant career coach. She moved to Auburn in 2020 for an undergraduate degree in neuroscience with a minor in Spanish. Currently, Abigail is pursuing her master’s in industrial/organizational psychology to better understand what makes employees flourish.  

Abigail strives to guide students in identifying their unique strengths and aligning them with exciting career opportunities that match their skillsets. As she values academic and professional curiosity, Abigail enjoys encouraging students to embrace every opportunity for growth to find an area where they thrive. 

 Education:

• Auburn University, B.S. in Neuroscience 

Madison Craig

Madi moved to Auburn in the Fall of 2023 to pursue a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Since then, she has joined the Office of Career Development and Corporate Relations as a graduate career coach. Before Auburn, Madi got her undergraduate degree at Louisiana State University, where she is originally from. She comes from a family of engineers, so she is very familiar with the field. 

As a counselor, Madi values creating a safe space for students to be able to express all of their thoughts and emotions, the pleasant and the unpleasant. She has a passion for helping others in many ways, which led her to our office as a career coach. She values the art of communication and personal connection in and out of the workplace, as well as helping students find their authenticity and uniqueness in their professional journeys.

 Education:

• Louisiana State University, B.S. in Marketing

Apryl Mullins

In July 2018, Apryl joined the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering in its endeavor to create an Office of Career Development and Corporate Relations (CDCR) to serve Auburn engineering students. Apryl leads the CDCR's efforts to establish and deepen relationships with employers. Her goal is educate students about the world of work and connect them with a broad range of industry opportunities.

While Apryl joined the CDCR in 2018, this is not her first introduction to the College of Engineering. She has more than 20 years of experience at Auburn University where she has served in a variety of roles within the Office of Development and Office of Alumni Affairs. She spent the majority of that time in the College of Engineering and refers to it as her second home!

Education:

• Auburn University, B.A. in Corporate Journalism
• Auburn University, M.Ed. in Administration of Higher Education

Leah Blair

Leah joined the CDCR in August of 2023 as Corporate Relations Manager to steer employer communications and planning and promotion of on campus recruiting events.  Prior to joining the CDCR team, she pursued a career path into public relations and integrated marketing that includes real estate development, community engagement in healthcare, small business ownership, and fast-casual food and beverage branding.  Most recently she served as Brand Marketing Manager for Chicken Salad Chick, a national restaurant franchise that got its start in Auburn by an Auburn University graduate.

Leah is passionate about helping students find their place at Auburn and engaging with all the resources available to help with their college and career journey.  As a first-generation college graduate, she has a deep love for the University and understands the value of plugging in and exploring every avenue of personal growth and development that this Lovely Village has to offer. 

Education:

• Auburn University, B.A. in Public Relations

Teresa Jernigan

Teresa has been a member of the Cooperative Education team since Spring 2013. She functions as the central processing unit for the Auburn University Co-op Program, ensuring that student records for work and school rotations are accurate each semester. She is also responsible for most of the behind-the-scenes work associated with our main co-op recruiting event, Co-op Interview Day.

Teresa brings 24 years of experience as an Accounts Payable Clerk for Flower’s Foods (Sunbeam Bread) in Opelika. She enjoys watching students develop as they come through the co-op program and presenting them with the highly coveted co-op t-shirt at the successful completion of each work term.

Emily Kaplowitz

Emily joined the CDCR in March of 2022 as a Corporate Relations Coordinator to assist with employer communications and planning and promotion of on campus recruiting events. One of her favorite parts of corporate relations is helping both employers and students streamline their search processes and develop creative solutions to roadblocks in their recruiting paths. Prior to moving to Auburn, she worked in a variety of project management roles in software development and residential real estate, mostly in Nashville and Chicago.

Education:

• Vanderbilt University, B.A. in Psychology

Leah Dunn

Leah joined the Office of Career Development and Corporate Relations as an Administrative Support Specialist in September 2024. Recently relocated to Auburn, she is deeply passionate about empowering students to recognize their potential and supporting them as they navigate their professional journeys. In addition to supporting the CDCR, Leah has dedicated herself to raising her three daughters, further fueling her commitment to fostering growth and resilience in others.

Education:

• Troy University – Troy, AL, B.S. in Criminal Justice, Minor in Human Services