Advising & Career Communities

Jodyi Wren
Executive Director & Assistant Dean

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Places I’ve lived: Grew up in Idaho
Education: Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, Masters of Science in Higher Education Student Affairs
Role in the office: Create, expand, and implement the career education vision for AS&E students and young alumni. Lead our Greene Center team of professionals and student staff in supporting this mission.
Most random job: Cleaning reusable baby car seats for a hospital program.
Fun fact: I’ll never turn down chocolate!!
Identity / Affinity Communities
First-Generation College StudentsPeople
AlumniCampus PartnersBrad Rosenbaum
Advising Program Director

Pronouns: He/Him/His
Places I’ve lived: Rochester, NY
Education: BA in Economics from Hamilton College, MsEd in Counselor Education from SUNY Brockport, ABD PhD in Organizational Leadership from Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Role in the office: I help students find and use their voice along their path to discovering what and who they want to become. Career is not a destination, but a path. I help to link students with resources, networks, and opportunities along their career journey.
Most random job: My first, and most random job was as a summer camp counselor/lifeguard for many years!
Fun fact: I spend most of my time at my boys sporting events. You can find me at wrestling matches, soccer or lacrosse games on almost any evening of the week.
Career Communities
Consulting & Finance CommunityConsultingFinanceOperationsSalesIdentity / Affinity Communities
DACA and UnDocDavid Cota-Buckhout
Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and Career Support

Pronouns: He/Him/His
Places I’ve lived: Born and raised in Rochester, NY – lived in suburbs of Greece, West Irondequoit, and Fairport (current)
Education: Associate’s of Science in Liberal Arts, General Studies (Monroe Community College); Bachelor’s of Science in Development Sociology (Cornell University); Master’s of Science in Education in Counselor Education (The College at Brockport)
Role in the office: As the Assistant Director for Alumni Engagement & Career Support, my primary role is working with graduate students in the College of Arts, Sciences & Engineering within the GEPA office as well as the Greene Center. This is approached in many ways: individual and group meetings, programs and events, classroom presentations, and through email conversations. My goal is to help graduate students with locating and utilizing resources, tools and people to explore and establish connections and opportunities in industries and professions of interest to reach their short-term and long-term goals. Through academic department and student services relationships, I hope to create partnerships to help students succeed in their career development.
Most random job: My first job I had was through a high school co-op class; I worked for an entrepreneurial business owner who needed help with keeping his records organized (both physical files and Excel spreadsheets). I inputted data from receipts he gave me to help him keep track of his finances, as well as moving his paperwork around so he could better track his transactions in his home office. From this first job, I learned a lot about how I really enjoy keeping things organized and helping others.
Fun fact: At the age of 32, I discovered how to snap my fingers – I was not able to do so my entire life until then (even after so many attempts)! I still struggle with whistling; I wonder how long that will take me…
Identity / Affinity Communities
VeteransPeople
Graduate StudentsHire RochesterSchools
Hajim School of Engineering and Applied SciencesSchool of Arts and SciencesJonathan Bratt
Career Advisor

Places I’ve lived: NY, KY, PA and MI
Education: B.A. in Religion/Philosophy (minor in Psychology and History), MDiv from ATS in Kentucky.
Role in the office: I listen to students exploring and sharing their thoughts, ideas, plans and questions regarding their career hopes and dreams. I meet with students both individually and in groups developing incentives and ways to explore “What I want to do and how do I get there,” in fun and memorable ways.
Most random job: Worked 7 years through college in libraries and served as a newspaper paste up artist in adverting – back when that was a thing!
Fun fact: I love music, play 6 instruments and have written over 100 songs/musical pieces.
Career Communities
Healthcare CommunityBiomedical ResearchBusiness of HealthcareHealth & Human ServicesPublic HealthIdentity / Affinity Communities
First-Generation College StudentsAlissa Roger
Career Advisor

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Places I’ve lived: Branford CT, Simsbury CT, Ann Arbor MI, Washington DC, Schenectady NY, Boston MA
Education: Union College – BS in Psychology, Suffolk University Law School – JD
Role in the office: I work with students to provide career counseling, advice, and insight. I really appreciate how dedicated UR students are to their academics and career goals and hope to work together with my students to help them tell their story. My favorite part of this job is how quick the days go by, you are all doing great things and I learn so much from you.
Most random job: I once spent a summer interning in the Coronary Care Unit of a local hospital in Michigan. I interviewed patients for a national study to determine if they had a near death experience before or after their operative surgeries!
Fun fact: I ran the Boston Marathon…in 2003 and tell most people I meet bc it was the first and last time that will ever happen.
Career Communities
Healthcare CommunityBiomedical ResearchBusiness of HealthcareHealth & Human ServicesPublic HealthIdentity / Affinity Communities
VeteransAlyssa Rodriguez
Career Advisor

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Places I’ve lived: PA, CA, NM, AZ, and NY
Education: BA in History from the University of the Pacific, MA and PhD in History from the University of Rochester
Role in the Office: I aim to provide students the support they need as they pursue their personal, academic, and professional goals.
Most random job: I was an outdoor hospital greeter, so for an entire summer in Arizona, I was pretty much a human arrow!
Career Communities
Healthcare CommunityBiomedical ResearchBusiness of HealthcareHealth & Human ServicesPublic HealthIdentity / Affinity Communities
BIPOC StudentsDaniel Greninger
Career Advisor

Pronouns: He/Him/His
Places I’ve lived: Cicero, NY and Rochester, NY
Education: Bachelor of Science in Marketing (SUNY Oswego)
Role in the office: As a Career Advisor, my role in the office is to provide students with guidance and support when it comes to their professional, personal, and academic journeys. I like to help students plan out multiple paths, how to explore each, and assist them in finding what may (or may not) spark joy in them. Although my community focus will be on engineering and applied sciences, I am happy to help any student!
First job: I got to work on field sales for a furniture company in Washington, D.C. It’s a lot more interesting than you may think!
Career Communities
Emerging Technology CommunityArtificial IntelligenceBig DataMore Emerging Tech CareersVirtual & Augmented RealityEngineering & Applied Sciences CommunityEngineeringPhysical ScienceProgramming & SoftwareIdentity / Affinity Communities
International StudentsJennifer Hall
Career Advisor

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Places I’ve lived: Halifax, NS; Montreal, QC; Calgary, AB; Toronto, ON; Buffalo, NY
Education: MA in Religion and Culture; PhD in Religious Studies (ABD)
Role in the office: I help students to navigate their university and career paths by connecting them with the right courses, internships, and job opportunities. In this process, I encourage students to explore their interests and discover the subjects and potential careers that resonate (or perhaps, just as importantly, do not!) with them. Although I focus on law, policy, education, and advocacy, I am happy to meet with any UR student.
First job: My first job, that lasted throughout my high school years, was babysitting for a witch. An actual witch. Yes, she had a black cat.
Career Communities
Social Good CommunityLaw, Intelligence & National SecurityPolicy, Advocacy & LobbyingSocial Good, Public Service & EducationIdentity / Affinity Communities
BIPOC StudentsJulie Moore
Career Advisor

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Places I’ve lived: Rochesterian born and raised
Education: Bachelors of Science in Anthropology with a minor in Interdisciplinary Social Research Methods from SUNY Brockport
Role in the office: Here at The Greene Center, I help students along their journey; cultivating their passions and pursuing their career goals. I feel privileged to be listening ear to each student’s story. Our experiences are what set us apart. My favorite part of my role is helping students incorporate their story and passions into their career goals.
Most random job: I once worked as a Sr. Psych Tech on an Inpatient Psychiatry Unit at URMC. I have fond memories of sprinting after escaped patients down to the Genesee in the summer heat.
Fun fact: I’m all about female empowerment. My party trick is beating guys in push-up competitions.
Career Communities
Consulting & Finance CommunityConsultingFinanceOperationsSalesIdentity / Affinity Communities
LGBTQ+Max Robbins
Career Advisor

Pronouns: He/Him/His
Places I’ve lived: Rochester, NY, Pittsburgh, PA, Cambridge, MA
Education: BHA- Psychology and Trumpet Performance/Carnegie Mellon University; M.Ed.- Human Development and Education with a Concentration in Arts and Learning, Harvard University
Role in the office: I aim to help students, especially in creative majors, articulate their talents, skills, and passions. In the Greene Center, we encourage self-reflection to construct interesting, meaningful, and fulfilling lives. I like to approach career advising with levity and curiosity to make the job search/exploration feel more human and accessible.
Most random job: My most random job was playing Amy Winehouse tunes on piano for a drag brunch.
Career Communities
Marketing & Creative CommunityArt and DesignArts AdministrationFilm, Television, and MediaMarketing, Advertising, and Public RelationsMuseum StudiesMusic and Arts TeachingMusic BusinessPerforming ArtsPublishing, Journalism, and WritingIdentity / Affinity Communities
LGBTQ+Anna Maria Petkoska
Peer Career Advisor

Pronouns: | She/her |
Hometown: | Skopje, North Macedonia |
Majors and Minors: | Chemical Engineering |
Class Year: | 2024 |
Career Communities: | Engineering & Applied Sciences |
Social Good | |
Women | |
Campus Connections: | American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) |
Engineers Without Borders (EWB) | |
Fun fact about me: | I can speak 5 languages |
Audrey Hinman
Peer Career Advisor

Pronouns: | She/her |
Hometown: | Oswego, NY |
Majors and Minors: | Political Science with Minors in Philosophy and Health Policy |
Class Year: | 2025 |
Career Communities: | Social Good |
Women | |
Campus Connections: | Kappa Delta Sorority |
Fun fact about me: | I used to sing Opera! |
Daniel Hong
Peer Career Advisor

Pronouns: | He/him |
Hometown: | Suwanee, GA |
Majors and Minors: | Economics and Business:Finance, minor in Political Science |
Class Year: | 2025 |
Career Communities: | Consulting & Finance |
First Generation College Students | |
Campus Connections: | Model UN |
Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity | |
UR Investment Banking | |
TA for ECON 108 and 207 | |
Fun fact about me: | Mondays and dogs are my favorite animals! |
Ha Nguyen
Peer Career Advisor

Pronouns: | She/her |
Hometown: | Hanoi, Vietnam |
Majors and Minors: | Political Science and Business Information Systems |
Class Year: | 2024 |
Career Communities: | Consulting & Finance |
Emerging Technology | |
Social Good | |
International Students | |
Women | |
Campus Connections: | Alpha Kappa Psi |
Speaking Fellows | |
Karp Fellowship | |
Equestrian | |
Fun fact about me: | I was on a debate TV show in Vietnam |
Jake Lewis
Peer Career Advisor

Pronouns: | He/him |
Hometown: | Clinton, NY |
Majors and Minors: | Mechanical Engineering |
Class Year: | 2024 |
Career Communities: | Emerging Technology |
Engineering & Applied Sciences | |
Campus Connections: | American Society of Mechanical Engineers – Events Coordinator |
Solar Splash – Chief Mechanical Engineer | |
Fun fact about me: | I love karaoke |
Nina Long
Peer Career Advisor

Pronouns: | She/Her |
Hometown: | Guangzhou, China |
Majors and Minors: | Computer Science |
Class Year: | 2024 |
Career Communities: | Emerging Technology |
International Students | |
Women | |
Campus Connections: | Effective Altruism URochester – Co-founder & President |
Entrepreneurship Community – Event Planning Committee | |
Fun facts about me: | I once rode a roller coaster without seat belt on, I was six and didn’t even realize until at the end |
Career Curriculum Initiatives

Lynn Donahue
Director, Career Curriculum Initiatives

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Places I’ve lived: Rochester, MN; Atlanta, GA; Boise, ID; Cape Elizabeth, ME; King City and Santa Barbara, CA; Honolulu, HI; Rochester, NY, Saratoga Springs, NY, Buffalo, NY, Oneonta, NY
Education: BA in Psychology/Skidmore College; MEd in College Counseling and Student Personnel; EdD in Higher Education
Most random job: Dressed up as a bee and gave presentations to children at Rochester Museum and Science Center
Kellie Hernandez
Senior Career Advisor

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Places I’ve lived: Central NYS (Richfield Springs) and all around the Rochester area
Education: UR — BA in Psychology, MA in Education (Higher Ed Counseling)
Role in the office: In addition to my Advisor role, I’m also an Instructor for CASC 104 (Designing Your Life) and for the Internship for Credit part of our office. My position is a joint position between the Greene Center and Writing Speaking and Argument program where I’m an Instructor for WRTG27x (Communicating Your Professional Identity).
Most random job: Not sure how random this is, but, my student job at the UR was in the ‘Slide Room’ off of the Art/Music Library. I spent my days staring at a light table getting slides ready for faculty to use in the their lectures.
Fun fact: I like memes and animals and my dream job would be to have a wild life refuge.
Identity / Affinity Communities
International StudentsEmployer & Alumni Connections

Jake Gilmer
Director of Corporate Development & Engagement

Pronouns: He/Him/His
Places I’ve lived: North Carolina, Virginia, New Zealand, and New York
Education: B.S. in Geology – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and M.A. in Public Administration – James Madison University
Role in the office: I lead our Alumni and Employer Engagement team to connect students to mentorship, internship, and job opportunities. I build relationships with leading companies in the U.S. and around the world.
First job: My first summer job was working on an Army Corp. of Engineer’s boat drilling to collect sand samples offshore of NC’s Outer Banks.
Identity / Affinity Communities
International StudentsPeople
Hire RochesterHire Rochester TalentBuilding Your Brand at URHiring International CandidatesHiring InternsRecruiting: Campus, Career Fairs + EventsBrittney Turner
Employer Engagement Program Director

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Places I’ve lived: Upstate NY! Manchester, Geneseo, Fairport, Rochester & West Irondequoit, NY
Education: BS, SUNY Geneseo, Psychology & MSEd, SUNY Brockport, Counselor Education
Role in the office: Develop and maintain employer relationships and work actively to promote recruitment of students by employers. Work with employer partners to strengthen recruitment pipeline and identify additional recruitment opportunities. Assist employers in building their brands on campus.
First job: Ice Cream Shop Worker
Identity / Affinity Communities
BIPOC StudentsPeople
Hire RochesterHire Rochester TalentBuilding Your Brand at URHiring International CandidatesHiring InternsRecruiting: Campus, Career Fairs + EventsChristina Pero
Employer and Alumni Experiences Manager

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Places I’ve lived: Rochester, NY
Education: BA in Psychology and an MS in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Affairs – University of Rochester
Role in the office: The versatility of my role at the Greene Center allows me to work with students, employers, and alumni. I really enjoy supervising and collaborating with our Peer Career Advisor team, managing the Career Clothing Closet, and planning events, programs, and other student-centered experiences in conjunction with my colleagues.
First job: I worked for five years at Wegmans in various roles.
Fun fact: I love spending time outside of work with my sweet but mischievous toy poodle puppy, Minnie! :o)
Career Communities
Emerging Technology CommunityArtificial IntelligenceBig DataVirtual & Augmented RealityEngineering & Applied Sciences CommunityEngineeringPhysical ScienceProgramming & SoftwareIdentity / Affinity Communities
Students with DisabilitiesPeople
Hire RochesterMindy Peet
Volunteer Program Director

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Places I’ve lived: Rochester, Oswego, Ithaca
Education: Visual Communication + Public Relations
Role in the office: Every day I get to figure out ways to connect with alumni and volunteers to provide students with more opportunities to “tell your story, talk to people, get curious, and try stuff out.”
First job: Campus Tour Guide
Identity / Affinity Communities
First-Generation College StudentsPeople
AlumniVolunteerCampus PartnersSchools
Hajim School of Engineering and Applied SciencesSchool of Arts and SciencesAdrija Bhattacharjee
Alumni Engagement Assistant

Pronouns: | She/her/hers |
Hometown: | Metairie, LA |
Majors and Minors: | Political Science, Bioethics |
Class Year: | 2024 |
Career Communities: | Social Good |
BIPOC | |
Women | |
Campus Connections: | Students’ Association |
Asian American Alliance | |
Mock Trial | |
ADITI | |
Fun fact about me: | My comfort zone is watching The Bachelor or Bollywood :) |
Eleanor Harrison
Volunteer Alumni Program Assistant

Pronouns: | She/her |
Hometown: | Carmel, NY |
Majors and Minors: | Major: Biology, Minor: Music |
Class Year: | 2026 |
Career Communities: | Engineering & Applied Sciences |
Women | |
Campus Connections: | University of Rochester Chamber Orchestra (I play French Horn) |
Fun facts about me: | I have two dogs and one is named Percy and the other Jackson after the Percy Jackson book series because my family consists of a bunch of book nerds:) |
Emily Chan
Career Clothing Closet Assistant

Pronouns: | She/Her |
Hometown: | Mechanicville, NY |
Majors and Minors: | English-LMC track/Economics (double major) |
Class Year: | 2024 |
Career Communities: | Consulting & Finance |
Marketing & Creative | |
Social Good | |
BIPOC | |
Women | |
Campus Connections: | Class Council |
Residential Advisor | |
Meridian | |
Fun fact about me: | My favorite Rochester thing to do is go to the Museum of Play! |
Communications and Marketing

Taylor Mende
Marketing & Communications Program Director

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Places I’ve lived: Jacksonville, FL, Windermere, FL, Cortland, NY, Geneseo, NY
Education: B.A. in New Media Design from the State University of New York at Cortland
Most random job: Seasonal Worker for the County Highway Department
Identity / Affinity Communities
LGBTQ+People
Campus PartnersFaculty & StaffHire RochesterBuilding Your Brand at URRecruiting: Campus, Career Fairs + EventsMichelle Rojas Macias
Marketing and Communications Specialist

Andres Aya
Video Specialist

Pronouns: | He/Him/His |
Hometown: | Queens, NY |
Majors and Minors: | Film & Media Studies, Business – Marketing Dual Degree |
Class Year: | 2024 |
Campus Connections: | Secretary for the Undergraduate Film Council |
Fun facts about me: | I’m bilingual (English and Spanish)! |
Maria Ahmed
Marketing & Communications Specialist

Pronouns: | She/her/hers |
Hometown: | Rochester, NY |
Majors and Minors: | Major – Biochemistry; Minor – Business |
Class Year: | 2026 |
Career Communities: | Healthcare |
Marketing & Creative | |
BIPOC | |
Women | |
Campus Connections: | MAPS, MSA, Research in the Biology Department |
Fun fact about me: | I have six pet chickens! |
Operations, Data and Customer Experience

Amber Graham
Director of Data and Operations

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Places I’ve lived: I grew up in Norwich, NY, and lived in both Cortland and Syracuse, NY prior to moving to Rochester.
Education: Foundations in Design Thinking and Advanced Design Thinking – IDEO, Masters Degree – Higher Education – Syracuse University, Bachelors Degree -Human Development and Theater – Binghamton University
Role in the office: I work with all of our data streams, from getting information into platforms like Handshake and the Meliora Collective to investigating the outcomes of our graduates. I also head operations for the Greene Center (space, human capital, virtual operations) and budgeting for the department. At my heart is always a focus on customer experience for the Greene Center, and love feedback on how we can serve folks better!
Most random job: After graduating with my Masters Degree I worked for 3 months at JoAnn Fabrics at the fabric cutting counter (making my costume designer heart sing!)
Fun fact: I love to travel and tend to pick up accents and dialects and mannerisms from wherever I travel, so you can tell if I’ve recently seen family in the southern US, been hanging out in a Spanish speaking country, or returned from a trip to Europe or Asia. I also have my own company as a wedding officiant, with a focus on inclusive ceremonies for non-traditional, non-binary and creative clients.
Specialties and Interests
Data Management and Visualization, Operations, Project Management, Technology Integration, User Experience, Customer ExperienceIdentity / Affinity Communities
WomenPeople
Campus PartnersRory-Stefan Affoon
Systems Administrator & Project Manager

Pronouns: He/Him/His
Places I’ve lived: Grew up in Trinidad and Tobago, lived in Rochester, NY and Dallas, TX.
Education: B.A. Geological Sciences at the University of Rochester
Role in the office: I’m the go-to guy for everything technical related within the office and for how students interact with the Greene Center digitally.
Identity / Affinity Communities
DACA and UnDocDeborah Baker
Operations & Administrative Coordinator

Identity / Affinity Communities
Students with DisabilitiesJane Oliver
Customer Experience Assistant

Pronouns: | She/her |
Hometown: | Auburn, NY |
Majors and Minors: | English: Language Media and Communications Major, Political Science Minor |
Class Year: | 2025 |
Career Communities: | Marketing & Creative |
Women | |
Campus Connections: | Writing for the Campus Times |
Sigma Delta Tau, Beta Phi Chapter – Public Relations | |
Fun facts about me: | I love fashion and you should read my CT articles about fashion |
Jervon Cole
Customer Experience Assistant

Pronouns: | He/Him |
Hometown: | Cleveland Heights, OH |
Majors and Minors: | Major: Biochemistry; Minor: Psychology |
Class Year: | 2027 |
Career Communities: | Healthcare |
BIPOC | |
First-Gen | |
LGBTQ+ | |
Campus Connections: | S.T.E.M Initiative |
Fun fact about me: | I like winter more than summer! |
Kaylee Rosa
Customer Experience Assistant

Pronouns: | She/Her/Hers |
Hometown: | Jacksonville, FL |
Majors and Minors: | Psychology and Brain & Cognitive Sciences with Philosophy minor |
Class Year: | 2026 |
Career Communities: | Women |
BIPOC | |
Campus Connections: | Affiliated with SOCA |
I’m going to be a TA for PSYC 181! | |
Fun facts about me: | I love dancing salsa, bachata, and merengue! |
Maryam Feknous
Customer Experience Assistant

Pronouns: | She/her |
Hometown: | Manhattan, NY |
Majors and Minors: | Political Science and American Sign Language |
Class Year: | 2025 |
Career Communities: | Social Good |
First Generation College Students | |
LGBTQ+ | |
Students with Disabilities | |
Women | |
Campus Connections: | Salsa |
Fun fact about me: | I got bit by a scorpion in the Bahamas |
Samuel Zeltman
Customer Experience Assistant

Pronouns: | He/Him |
Hometown: | Buffalo, NY |
Majors and Minors: | Mechanical Engineering |
Class Year: | 2026 |
Career Communities: | Engineering & Applied Sciences |
Campus Connections: | American Society of Mechanical Engineers |
BAJA | |
Fun fact about me: | I’m a big Buffalo Bills fan! |
Fatoumata Gumaneh
Customer Experience Assistant

Pronouns: | She/Her |
Majors and Minors: | Clinical and Translational Sciences |
Class Year: | 2026 |
Campus Connections: | DLH Housing Coordinator |
Fun facts about me: | I am the second oldest of 7 siblings |