Advising & Career Communities
Jodyi Wren
Associate 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 University of Rochester 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 PartnersJonathan 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 StudentsMeredith Ringel-Ensley
Advising Program Senior Manager
Pronouns: She/Her
Places I’ve lived: Maine, Rhode Island, Turkey, Italy, North Carolina, Connecticut, Iowa, and now Rochester!
Education: BA, Brown University; PhD, UNC -Chapel Hill
Most random job: I spent a summer washing dishes and making beds in an Italian hotel!
Career Communities
Consulting, Finance, & Marketing CommunityConsultingFinanceMarketing, Advertising, and Public RelationsOperationsSalesAlissa 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 URochester 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 StudentsCordelia Smith
Career Advisor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Places I’ve lived: Rochester, NY, Detroit, MI, Easton Maryland
Education: Social Work Degree – Keuka College, Liberal Arts & Humanities – MCC
First job: Paid Internship at Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield
Career Communities
Emerging Technology CommunityArtificial IntelligenceBig DataMore Emerging Tech CareersVirtual & Augmented RealityEngineering & Applied Sciences CommunityAdditional Engineering CareersEngineeringPhysical ScienceProgramming & SoftwareIdentity / Affinity Communities
WomenDaniel 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 StudentsDavid 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 School of Arts & Sciences and Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences within the Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs 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 SciencesEugene Mont
Career Advisor
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Places I’ve lived: Rochester, NY; Keuka Park, NY; Amherst, MA; Cambridge, MA
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Media and Communication; Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration.
First job: My first job was as a Bagger at Stop and Shop (grocery store in Massachusetts)
Career Communities
Creative CommunityArt and DesignArts AdministrationFilm, Television, and MediaMuseum StudiesMusic and Arts TeachingMusic BusinessPerforming ArtsPublishing, Journalism, and WritingSocial Good CommunityLaw, Intelligence & National SecurityPolicy, Advocacy & LobbyingSocial Good, Public Service & EducationEmily Sanders
Senior Career Services Specialist
Ryan Moguel
Career Advisor
Career Communities
Consulting, Finance, & Marketing CommunityConsultingFinanceMarketing, Advertising, and Public RelationsOperationsSalesJose Lopes Calderon
Peer Career Advisor
Pronouns: He/Him
Where do you call home? San Francisco, CA
Class Year: 2027
Majors & Minors: Business: Finance
Campus Connections: Minority Male Leadership Association (MMLA), MelFig
Career Communities: Consulting & Finance
Identity Communities: First-Gen, BIPOC students
What is your favorite part about working at the Greene Center? Helping students feel more comfortable with their career development like improving their resume, cover letter and any questions they might have.
Which Greene Center resource has been the most helpful in your career development, and why? During my first year, I utilized drop-in hours the most to get my resume in college format and also learned how to create a cover letter. This helped me feel confident applying to opportunities.
Fun Fact: I have two siblings, one older and one younger.
Amaris Asiedu
Peer Career Advisor
Johnny Nguyen
Peer Career Advisor
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: University of Rochester — 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 URochester 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
Alane De Luca
Director of Corporate Development and Engagement
Brittney Campbell
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 Engagement Program Director
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: Upstate NY!
Education: Graphic Design + Public Relations + Communication + Writing
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.” It’s fun!
Surprise job: Campus Tour Guide
Identity / Affinity Communities
First-Generation College StudentsPeople
AlumniVolunteerCampus PartnersSchools
Hajim School of Engineering and Applied SciencesSchool of Arts and SciencesCommunications and Marketing
Taylor Mende
Assistant Marketing Director
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Places I’ve lived: Jacksonville, FL, Orlando, FL, Rochester, 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 + EventsOperations, 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
Students with DACA statusDeborah Baker
Department Coordinator
Identity / Affinity Communities
Students with DisabilitiesJulie Moore
Recruiting and Customer Experience Manager
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
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.
Identity / Affinity Communities
LGBTQ+Claire Cho
Customer Experience Assistant
Pronouns: She/Her
Where do you call home? Los Angeles, CA
Class Year: 2028
Majors & Minors: Marketing, Psychology
Campus Connections: AKPsi, Starbucks
Career Communities: Marketing & Creative
What is your favorite part about working at the Greene Center? I like that the Greene Center has so many resources that are available to students!
Fun Fact: I almost went to the Naval Academy.
Meleah Perez
Customer Experience Assistant
Where do you call home? Longmont, Colorado
Class Year: 2029
Majors & Minors: Epidemiology with a Spanish minor
Campus Connections: Pre-Dental Club, Creative Arts Club, Society of Undergraduate Public Health Students (SUPHS)
Career Communities: Healthcare
Identity & Affinity Communities: Women
What is your favorite Greene Center resource? The summer internship funding opportunities!
Quinten Denkenberger
Customer Experience Assistant
Pronouns: He/Him
Where do you call home? Oswego, NY
Class Year: 2027
Majors & Minors: Politics, Philosophy, and Economics with a minor in Legal Studies
Campus Connections: Model UN, Students’ Association Government (Senator)
Career Communities: Social Good
What is your favorite part about working at the Greene Center? I like meeting students as they come in and seeing all the variety of interests they have.
Which Greene Center resource has been the most helpful in your career development, and why? Handshake- It allows you to see a wide variety of different employers while at the same time conveying your interests to them.
Fun Fact: If I wasn’t a political science major, I would be studying meteorology.
