Center for Careers, Life, and Service Staff
Daniel and Patricia Jipp Finkelman Dean of Careers, Life, and Service
Email: peltzm@grinnell.edu
Mark (he/him) oversees all facets of the Center for Careers, Life, and Service, including strategic planning, program development, budget management, and leading a talented team who bring a rich array of experiences to their work at Grinnell. As a member of President Harris’s senior leadership team...
Assistant Dean & Director of Analytics & Operations
Email: barks@grinnell.edu
Sarah (they/them) manages the CLS's analytics activities (such as tracking graduate outcomes and student engagement with CLS advising and programming), oversees the Center's technology platforms, and streamlines operational processes wherever possible. Sarah is a graduate of Washington University in...
Lawrence S. Pidgeon Education Professions+ Career Community Director
Email: bermanch@grinnell.edu
Chad (he/him) leads the Education Professions Career Community (EdPros+) at Grinnell. He serves as the principal resource for students and alumni considering and planning careers in education and related professions that center the value of human potential, learning, and development. Such careers...
Assistant Director, Exploratory Career Community
Email: bourjaily@grinnell.edu
Robin (she/her) connects with students at the beginning of their Grinnell journey as assistant director of the Exploratory Career Community. Born southwest of Iowa City, Robin attended Georgetown University (BA, English and Fine Arts) and the University of Iowa (MA, Creative Nonfiction). She spent...
Director, Government, Law, and Policy Career Community
Email: brandsgardg@grinnell.edu
Gracie (she/her) leads the Government, Law, and Policy Career Community at Grinnell. She provides students and early career alumni with advice and assistance, including industry-focused employment and learning opportunities in the areas of government, law, and policy. She also advises students and...
Recruitment and Program Coordinator
Stephanie serves as the primary contact for all entities seeking to recruit students at ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ. She also manages all facets of on-campus and virtual recruiting, as well as the on-campus recruiting module. Stephanie has held academic administrative support positions previously at Vassar...
Exploratory Adviser
Email: creeryemily@grinnell.edu
Emily (she/her) is passionate about empowering students to build a life that allows them to celebrate their authentic and unique selves, ambitions, and interests. By encouraging students to dig deeper through self-reflection, Emily supports Grinnellians as they challenge systemic, societal, and...
Assistant Director, STEM Career Communities
Email: grigorovs@grinnell.edu
Sasha (he/him) leads the Science, Engineering & Sustainability and Technology & Data Career Communities at Grinnell. He provides students and early career alumni with industry-focused advising, experiential learning opportunities, and targeted programming as they focus and connect their values...
Assistant Dean and Director of Employer Engagement
Kelly leads a team responsible for developing and executing strategies to expand internships, full-time post-graduate positions, and related opportunities for Grinnell students. As Assistant Dean and Director of Employer Engagement, Kelly and her team oversee the Handshake online career management...
Assistant Dean & Director of Global Fellowships & Awards
Email: landstrom@grinnell.edu
Ann coordinates the nomination and selection processes for students and alumni interested in nationally competitive fellowships, scholarships, and grants as well as select Grinnell-specific fellowships and awards. Ann has worked within higher education across the United States from Oregon to New...
Associate Director of Community-Engaged Learning
Email: lascolju@grinnell.edu
Julie Lascol (she/her/hers) is the Associate Director of Community-Engaged Learning. She is responsible for supporting faculty and community partners in the design and implementation of community-engaged learning initiatives. Julie is committed to co-constructing power- and privilege-aware projects...
Director, Business & Finance Career Community
Michael leads the Business and Finance Career Community at Grinnell. He provides students and early career alumni industry-focused advising, experiential learning opportunities, and targeted programming as they focus and connect their values, strengths, and interests to specific postgraduate goals...
Associate Dean and Director of Civic Education and Innovation
Email: sannings@grinnell.edu
As the Associate Dean and Director of Civic Education and Innovation at ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ, Susan works in close partnership with the Center for Careers, Life & Service Dean and has responsibility for a number of center-wide priorities. In her role as the Director of Civic Education and Innovation...
Assistant Dean and Executive Director of Career Communities
Email: millerdo@grinnell.edu
As Assistant Dean and Executive Director of Career Communities in the Center for Careers, Life, and Service, Donna’s primary focus is providing support and leadership for the CLS staff and the advising programs, resources, and experiences that our students engage in. Donna is a native New Yorker...
Assistant Director for Social Innovation Partnerships and Education
Email: noltonvi@grinnell.edu
Vicki assists with the coordination and support of events and projects related to the Grinnell Prize, Grinnell Corps, post-graduate service, civic engagement, and service learning. She feels fortunate to work on an incredible team with diverse talents and personalities. A native of Panama (Iowa...
Assistant Director, Exploratory Career Community
Email: pearceamanda@grinnell.edu
Amanda (she/her) joined the Center for Careers, Life, and Service (CLS) in June 2023 as part of the Employer Engagement team. She has transitioned to the Exploratory Career Community where she enjoys connecting with students as they reflect on their interests, values, and strengths while navigating...
Senior Director, Exploratory Career Community
Email: perkins1@grinnell.edu
In her role in the Center for Careers, Life and Service, Dani is excited to support exploratory students as they begin their professional, personal, and civic journeys. Her goal is for all students to feel empowered to continually explore their values, strengths, and interests, engage in intentional...
Program Coordinator
Email: poolel@grinnell.edu
Laura provides administrative and logistical support for a large portfolio of College-specific and national and international fellowships and awards. Beyond the global fellowships and awards responsibilities, she also manages and administers an array of CLS grants to support students’ personal...
Associate Director, Arts, Media & Communications
Email: rossdestini@grinnell.edu
Destini Ross (she/they) is the associate director of the Arts, Media & Communications Career Community. They work closely with students and campus partners to provide meaningful career advising and tailored events. Destini aims to serve as a grounding presence and empower students to chase their...
Director, Health Professions Career Community
Mary Jane leads the Health Professions Career Community at Grinnell. She provides students and early career alumni industry-focused advising, experiential learning opportunities, and targeted programming as they focus and connect their values, strengths, and interests to specific postgraduate goals...
Director of Civic Education and Innovation
Email: solomonr@grinnell.edu
Ryan Solomon facilitates community engagement opportunities for students at ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ, both through funded programs, like Service-Learning Work Study, and volunteer opportunities. Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Ryan completed his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin, after which...