University of Houston Career Services Team Welcomes New Talent and Celebrates Promotions
DSA News
August 08, 2024
The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) University Career Services (UCS) has exciting news to share. After an extended period of being short-staffed, UCS is proud to announce hiring three new Career Development Specialists, promoting a dedicated staff member to Senior Recruiting Manager, and adding a new Assistant Director for the UH Sugar Land and Katy campuses.
Executive Director for University Career Services Dr. Monica Thompson stated, “ aboard! This is an exhilarating moment for UCS as our dynamic new team joins us at this pivotal juncture. Already, they've made significant strides contributing to our third strategic plan which will launch this fall, perfectly aligned with DSA's vision. Their insights will greatly impact our support for today's students, nurturing the skills employers covet. It's an honor to have them on board as we embark on this journey together, learning and growing as a unified team. Go Coogs!" These changes are set to enhance the support and resources available to UH students as they navigate their career paths.
New Career Development Specialists
Bina Benavides
Position: Career Development Specialist – Liaison to the Bauer College of Business, the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, the Hobby School of Public Affairs, and Exploratory Studies
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor: Biology & Political Science,
Concentration in Environmental Science
Master of Science in Public Administration
Oakland University
Bio: Bina Benavides
Personal Quote: "Working in UH Career Services is amazing because I get to connect our students with fantastic tools and resources to help them with internship and career opportunities. I get excited to come to work and be able to help UH students and work with my CDS team and the greater UH community!"
Associate Director of Career Services Priyanka Raut said, “I am delighted to have Bina on the team. She demonstrates exceptional organizational skills in her approach to projects and collaborates effectively with her colleagues. Bina is a highly dedicated instructor for the career course for Liberal Arts students and takes great pleasure in preparing students for their career journey.”
Toia Polk
Position: Career Development Specialist - Liaison to the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Cullen College of Engineering
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Tougaloo College
Master of Criminal Justice, Mississippi Valley State University
Bio: Toia Polk
Personal Quote: "Every step forward is a step towards your future success."
Associate Director of Career Services Priyanka Raut said, “Toia is an exceptionally hardworking professional, brimming with creative ideas. Her strengths lie in leading projects through the entire design lifecycle, encompassing ideation, research and analysis, design, development, and launch. I am very excited to unveil her project, "Paws to Career Pathways," which will allow all incoming freshmen to leave their fingerprints on the Cougar symbol along with their name and career aspirations.
McKell Peidl
Position: Career Development Specialist – Liaison to the College of the Arts, College of Architecture, and Valenti School of Communication
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Minor: Sociology, Weber State University
Master of Education in Psychology, Utah State University
Bio: McKell Peidl
Personal Quote: "I love working with students and helping them discover their strengths and interests. I know how it feels to be in the role of a student and to feel lost and unsure about the next steps that should be taken, so I feel honored to be able to play a pivotal role in students' career development journey."
Associate Director of Career Services Priyanka Raut stated “McKell has a passion for working with students of all ages, assisting them in finding the resources to enhance their college experience. She is empathetic and an excellent listener. McKell is always willing to help and will be a pleasure to work with for students in the arts, architecture, and communication fields.”
New Assistant Director
Arrianna O’Quin
Position: Assistant Director, UH at Sugar Land & Katy
Education:
Bachelor of Business Administration, Minor: Management, Sam Houston State University
Master of Business Administration, Concentration: HR, University of Houston-Downtown
Bio: Arrianna O'Quin
Personal Quote: "Career Services has a huge hand in shaping the future of the workforce. It is my calling to be of service to others and to spread the knowledge that I wished I had at their place in life."
Associate Director of Career Services Priyanka Raut stated, “Arrianna brings to UCS extensive experience in career services and human resources. She is highly resourceful and an excellent problem solver, with strong skills in organization, planning, and project management. Arrianna is an asset to UCS, and students at the Sugar Land and Katy instructional sites will greatly benefit from working with her.”
Promotion to Senior Recruiting Manager
Madison Brown
Position: Senior Recruiting Manager
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in English with Licensure
Master of Arts in English Literature
Bio: Madison Brown
Personal Quote: "As Senior Recruiting Manager at University Career Services, I am thrilled to connect talented students with transformative career opportunities. I look forward to building strong relationships with employers and creating programs that assist students in succeeding in their job search."
The addition of these talented professionals marks a significant step forward for UCS. Their diverse backgrounds and dedication to student success will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and development of UH students as they embark on their career journeys.
University Career Services is poised to elevate the career support provided to UH students. The fresh perspectives and expertise of the new team members, coupled with the experience of the promoted staff, promise to drive the department forward in innovative ways. Assistant Director for Campus Recruitment Torrence Douglas said, “'s promotion reflects the personification of her values of care, work ethic, empowerment, collaboration, innovation, and community with on-campus and off-campus partners as the Sr. Recruiting Manager at UCS. She has been a gem to University Career Services, and we look forward to an incredible year.”
As UCS aligns its initiatives with the broader vision of the Division of Student Affairs, students can expect enhanced guidance, more robust career development opportunities, and a stronger connection to potential employers. The excitement and enthusiasm shared by Dr. Thompson reflect the positive momentum within the department, ensuring that UH students are well-prepared to excel in their future careers.
Written by, Germaine Washington, Director of Marketing and Communications – Student Affairs