The College of Charleston Career Center is located in the Harry M. Lightsey Center | Suite 216. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. -5:00 p.m. P | 843.953.5692 E | careercenter@cofc.edu
The mission of the Career Center is to educate, develop and assist students to prepare for and successfully meet the challenges of an ever-changing world of work. This mission is accomplished through a centralized and comprehensive Center serving the entire campus and meeting the career and educational needs of all students from entering freshmen through graduate students and recent alumni.
The Career Center has fully switched to Handshake appointments from Appointment Manager. Should you experience any issues, please contact us.
Responsible for all functions of the Career Center to include Career Education, Employer Relations, Experiential Learning, Financial Wellness, and Student Employment. Supported by our Career Center Assistants (CCAs) who serve as the central point of contact by greeting all students, faculty, staff, and visitors entering the Career Center.
Jim earned his Bachelor's degree in English from Wake Forest University and a second degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. He earned his Master's degree in Counseling with a concentration in Student Development in Higher Education. When he is not busy in the Career Center, Jim enjoys spending time with his family, his dog, and his bird!
Niki earned her Associate of Arts degree (Liberal Arts) from the University of Cincinnati and a Paralegal Certificate from Cincinnati State. She has previously worked as a Paralegal in the area of Personal Injury, Family Law, and Workers’ Compensation. She has also worked as a Paraprofessional in Ohio helping in an elementary school setting (working with special needs children) and is also a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Niki likes to spend time with family, friends, and her pets and also enjoys the beach, running (especially on trails), and exploring areas of the Lowcountry.
Manages the Career Education Program which includes 1:1 career advising appointments with undergraduate and graduate students and alumni within 3 years of graduation, presentation requests from faculty, staff and student organizations, and class assignment requests from faculty and staff members. Onboard and train Peer Career Advisors (PCAs), current College of Charleston students, to assist their peers with resume and cover letter revisions, insight on internship and job searching, and additional career-related advice through our Drop-In Hours Program.
Jennifer (Jen) received her Master of Education in Student Personnel Services at Ohio University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Muskingum University in Ohio. Jennifer’s higher education / student affairs background is predominantly in career services, but she has also worked in academic advising, institutional research, and residence life. She has previously worked at Hanover College (Indiana), Eastern Illinois University, Coker University (South Carolina), Longwood University (Virginia), and locally at The Citadel and Trident Technical College. At the College of Charleston, she served as the Associate Director for Career Education (March - October 2022), Assistant Director for Career Education (January - February 2022), and a temporary Career Development Assistant (December 2018 - April 2019). For fun, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and Labrador Retriever, as well as biking, traveling and being on or near the water.
Kristin received her Master of Arts in Human Sciences from Hood College and her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Pennsylvania State University. Kristin previously served as the Internship Coordinator for the College of Charleston Department of Political Science and as the Career Center Recruiting Coordinator at Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland.
Maura is a proud first-generation college graduate who earned her Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Psychology from the University of Connecticut. After graduating, she moved to Boston to begin mentoring and tutoring high school students, before earning her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Teaching. After working in the special education field for a couple of years, she transitioned to an advising and management position at a non-profit organization. There, she provided programming and support in academic, career, financial aid, and general life services for first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds throughout their college experience. Maura loves traveling, the beach, dancing, and trying any and all new foods!
Manages recruiting and job search assistance programs for students and alumni including the preparation and execution of our Career Exploration Fairs, and managing our job board platform, Handshake. Oversee and facilitate the Career Center Internship Award Program, W.N. Looper Award, and assist employers in developing internship, co-op, experiential learning, fellowship, and volunteer opportunities for students.
Karen earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication and her Master of Education degree in the Art of Teaching from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA. Her previous experience within Higher Education includes alumni engagement, student advising, event planning, recruiting, and fundraising. She and her family love spending time at the beach with their dog, Ivy, a rescued German Shepherd, and at home with her twenty pound cat, Beefy!
Lois DiClemente is from Northern New Jersey. She is a first generation college graduate from Montclair State University where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Recreation and Leisure and Special Event Planning. Lois's prior experience includes, Manager of Front Desk Operations at the Upper Montclair Country Club for 3 years. She also has multiple years of experience working in the Medical Education and Pharmaceutical Field. Lois has also worked in the exciting world of the television industry for both David Letterman and Rush Limbaugh in New York City. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, kitties, Walter Junior and Pops, traveling, cooking, hosting dinner parties, creative writing and water sports, preferably water skiing! She’s an avid runner and fitness enthusiast. Lois and her family relocated here to South Carolina and now reside in Mount Pleasant. Their boy/girl twins are both students here at The College of Charleston and are enjoying and embracing all that college life has to offer! The DiClemente family are all thrilled to officially be South Carolinians and in love with the sunny weather, palm trees, beach and boat life, downtown, and this fantastic Coastal and Low Country lifestyle.
Manages a personal financial literacy and wellbeing education program for students through introduction to financial planning concepts which include repayment plans for student loans and debt, tracking and reviewing income, understanding savings, expenses, credit, budget, analyzing job offers and benefits, and learning how to live independently with their own resources. Promotes the use of the iGrad platform to students and alumni with the assistance of Financial Wellness Student Ambassadors.
Liz is a first-generation college graduate who grew up in the Charleston area. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Spanish from Clemson University. After graduating, she worked as a News Producer at a local Charleston TV station before going on to graduate school at George Washington University, where she received a Masters in Education with a concentration in English to Speakers of Other Languages. Liz worked as a K-12 ESOL Teacher for over 13 years, most recently in Charleston County Schools. Outside of work, Liz enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, cooking, reading, gardening, and being out on the water.
Manages all on-campus student employment functions to include assisting approximately 25% of the student population who work on-campus during their CofC career with hire paperwork, ID Verification, and finding opportunities including Federal Work Study positions, as well as working with the hiring managers in all departments across campus to post positions and submit new hire paperwork. Plan and facilitate the Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY) Award Reception each April during National Student Employment Week.
Scott received his Bachelor of Science degree in English and Geology from the University of Kentucky. He has over 18 years of experience in higher education student management, training and advising. When he’s not busy taking care of the Student Employment needs, he enjoys being outdoors, time with family, as well as Lowcountry food and local music.
