Our Staff

Jodyi Wren has been named as interim executive director of the Greene Center for Career Education and Connections and interim assistant vice provost for career education initiatives. Jodyi currently serves as director, advising & career communities, and has led the career education advising and communities services and programs to support our students and young alumni in designing their lives. Jodyi assumes this position immediately and will serve until a permanent executive director is hired, likely in late summer or fall 2022.

Pronouns: she/her

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: I lead our career education advising and communities services and programs to help our students and young alumni design their lives. Special initiatives include early student engagement, Handler Scholars, and first-generation college student engagement.

Most random job: Cleaning reusable baby car seats for a hospital program.

Fun fact: I’ll never turn down chocolate!!

Pronouns: she/her

Places I’ve lived: Greene, NY Oswego, NY (undergraduate degree) Rochester, NY

Education: Master of Science in Higher Education Administration, Bachelors of Science in Adolescent Education & History

Role in the office: I work with our masters and PhD students in AS&E; developing strategic initiatives, meeting with students, running programs, teaching a graduate career course, etc. I enjoy thinking about different ways to infuse career into the graduate curriculum and teaching the career course for PhD’s in the humanities and social sciences.

Most random job: In high school and college I worked as a pharmacy technician and assisted in filling prescriptions.

Fun fact: I love to read and craft in my spare time.

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.

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.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Places I’ve lived: Rochester, NY, Queens, NY, Brooklyn, NY

Education: Master of Science in Human Development

Role in the office: I’m a creator at heart. I like to create new things but also improve existing things. I see my role in the office as not only a person who brings new ideas and perspectives but also a Relationship Builder, Connector, and Conversationalist.

Most random job: Recreation Assistant for the City of Rochester

Fun fact: My personality type is INFJ (The rarest in the world for men)

Pronouns: He/Him/His

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 a Career Advisor, my favorite part of my role is when I am able to assist a student with whatever they present with during our conversation through showing them a resource they have never heard of, brainstorming together with them about what types of things to think about when crafting their story while using their own words, or introducing them to another colleague or office that can assist them immediately with their needs. The immediate positive reaction to this from the student is indescribable, and the stories I hear about afterwards about the connections forged from those small suggestions or quick connections are amazing. It’s all about understanding what the student needs individually, treating them uniquely and providing them with access in whatever way possible!

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…

Pronouns: She/her

Places I’ve lived: South Carolina, New York

Education: B.Mus., Furman University M.A., Eastman School of Music PhD (ABD), Eastman School of Music

Role in the office: I help students design and develop their professional lives, from exploring their interests to honing their portfolios to landing amazing opportunities. Everyone defines “success” differently, and I want my advisees to feel empowered to make choices that best serve them. I’m happy to meet with any student at the UR, but I develop and present content targeted specifically to the Marketing & Creative career community. I also support the Engineering & Applied Sciences and Emerging Technology communities.

First job: grocery store cashier

Pronouns: She/her

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.

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.

Pronouns: she/her

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.

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Places I’ve lived: Rochester and Geneva, NY; Houston, TX; Durham and Charlotte, NC

Education: B.S. Chemistry, Master of Arts in Teaching, EdD in Higher Education Administration (May 2022!)

Role in the office: My role is to help integrate career education into the curriculum. I develop and oversee our course offerings and support faculty to help students see the connections between their coursework and their career development.

First job: My first job was as a teaching assistant at my dance studio

Fun fact: I once had an internship with NASA!

Pronouns: she/her

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.

Places I’ve lived: Long Island, Syracuse, Ithaca, Rochester

Education: Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College; Master of Science from University of Rochester

Role in the office: My role is to create and implement an enhanced corporate engagement strategy for the Greene Center. This strategy will focus on cultivating career alternatives for the eclectic interests of students within the Arts, Sciences and Engineering fields. It is rewarding to witness young professionals living into their future dreams.

First job: My first job was to work in a retail department which led to my joining the Macy’s Leadership Development Program.

Fun fact: My ancestor is Jim Bridger, who was an American mountain man, trapper, and Army scout. The Bridger-Teton National Forest is named in his honor, and travelers can still experience frontier life at Fort Bridger located in Montana.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Places I’ve lived: 25+ Cities – San Francisco to Washington D.C. & in-between!

Education: BS in Human Resource Development with Organizational Training Concentration from Indiana State University. Current Executive MBA Student at the UR Simon School of Business (Spring 2022).

Role in the office: I get the opportunity to connect employers to our campus, whether it’s through recruitment events, Handshake, or development of ongoing partnerships. My primary focus is [paid] internship creation and implementing strategies for the local Rochester area. I coordinate and lead the organizational involvement for the Humanities for Life Summer Internship program, RAISE Internship Pilot Program, and am part of our Social Good Career Community.

Most random job: Night-shift interior landscaper for downtown high-rise buildings.

Fun fact: I grew up as a military kid with a Navy pilot dad.

Pronouns: she/her

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)

Pronouns: she/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.