About the Career Center

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. 

Schedule an Appointment

Meet the Career Center Operations Team

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 Allison, M.S., N.C.C. | Executive Director

    Jim Allison Headshot

    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! 

     

    E | allisonjm@cofc.edu 

    P | 843.953.5368

    Connect with Jim on LinkedIn

  • Lois DiClemente | Office Manager

    Lois DiClemente Headshot

    Lois earned her Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Leisure and Hospitality with a minor in Special Event Planning from Montclair State University in Upper Montclair, NJ. She is originally from northern New Jersey where she was the 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 fields. In addition to her work experience, Lois has worked in the television industry for both David Letterman and Rush Limbaugh in New York City. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, their cats, Walter Junior and Corn Pop, traveling, cooking, entertaining, creative writing and water sports - preferably water skiing! Lois is an avid runner and fitness enthusiast. Lois' boy/girl twins are both students here at The College of Charleston.

     

    E | diclementel@cofc.edu

    P | 843.953.5692

    Connect with Lois on LinkedIn

  • Maggie Harkins '24 | Career Center Assistant

    Maggie Harkins Headshot

    Maggie is a senior public health major and this is her first year working at the Career Center!

     

     

     

  • Hugh Rieken '26 | Career Center Assistant

    Hugh Rieken Headshot

    Hugh is a sophomore political science major and this is his first year working at the Career Center! 

     

     

  • Helena Weymouth ' 26 | Career Center Assistant

    Helena Weymouth Headshot

    Helena is a sophomore psychology major and this is her first year working at the Career Center!

     

     

     

  • Charli McInturff '27 | Career Center Assistant

    Charli McInturff

    Charli is a freshman systems engineering major and this is her first year working at the Career Center!

     

     

  • Allie Maciejewski '27 | Career Center Assistant

    Allie Maciejewski Headshot

    Allie is a freshman marketing major and this is her first year working at the Career Center! 

     

     

     

  • Holly Delaney '27 | Career Center Assistant

    Holly | CCA

    Holly is a freshman undeclared major and this is her first year working at the Career Center!

     

     

     

Meet the Career Education Team

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 Wells, M.Ed. | Director for Career Education

    Jen Wells Headshot

    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.

     

    E | wellsjs@cofc.edu

    P | 843.953.5694 

    Connect with Jen on LinkedIn

  • Maura Woods, M.Ed. | Career Coach

    Maura Woods Headshot

    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!

     

    E | woodsmm@cofc.edu

    P | 843.953.5693 

    Connect with Maura on LinkedIn

Meet the Employer Relations Team

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.

Meet the Financial Wellness Team

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 Cooper, M.Ed. | Associate Director for Financial Wellness

    Liz Cooper Headshot

    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.

     

    E | cooperlk3@cofc.edu

    P | 843.953.4501

    Connect with Liz on LinkedIn

  • Financial Wellness Student Ambassador

     

    Coming Fall 2024. 

     

     

Meet the Student Employment Team

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 Howard | Director of Student Employment Program

    Scott Howard Headshot

    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.

     

    E | howardsr@cofc.edu

    P | 843.953.7656

  • Chrystal C. Grant '12 '18 | Student Employment/JLD Specialist

    Chrystal Grant Headshot

    Chrystal earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and her Bachelor’s degree in African American Studies from College of Charleston. Chrystal previously served as the Administrative Specialist II for the College of Charleston English Department and as the Records Coordinator for the College of Charleston’s Department of Public Safety. Outside of her role as the Student Employment/JLD Specialist, Chrystal leads, Beauty4ashes Mentoring, a faith-based mentoring organization for girls, 5-18. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, DIY projects, cooking, and creating jewelry, handbags, and body spa products.

     

    E | cychapma@cofc.edu

    P | 843.953.5690

    Connect with Chrystal on LinkedIn

  • Niki Ruff | Student Employment Specialist

    Niki Ruff Headshot

    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.

     

    E | ruffn@cofc.edu

    P | 843.953.5692 

    Connect with Niki on LinkedIn