About Us
LAUNCH YOUR CAREER!
The Career Services Center helps connect students, faculty, and alumni with job and internship opportunities, as well as provides counseling for career success. We are located in Old Main 280 and are affiliated with Academic Advising and the Tutorial Center.
Our services include career counseling, job search guidance, workshops to help prepare students and alumni, on-campus recruiting opportunities, and special events such as career, internship, and graduate school fairs. We can also help coordinate your reference letters and placement files.
Our career counselors are experienced and effective in a wide range of topics such as resume checks, mock interviews, and one-on-one job search advice. Be sure to check our jobs and internship page for an up-to-date listing of opportunities or sign up to receive them in a weekly email.
Come check out our career reference library or set up an appointment with a counselor TODAY!
Career Services Center Staff
Tina Loudon
Director
Tina started as a counselor in the Career Services Center in 1978 and moved up through a variety of professional roles before being named director in 1993. In August 2007, she was charged with merging the Career Services Center with Academic Advising and Tutorial Services in order to provide integrated academic advising and career planning services for WWU students. This new assignment provides an opportunity for Tina to build on her 30-year commitment to supporting WWU students to make the most of their educational experience to achieve their personal and professional goals. Tina holds a B.Ed - Secondary Social Studies from the University of Washington and an M.Ed - Student Personnel Work from Loyola University - Chicago.
When not at work, you'll find Tina on her farm in the country digging in the garden, playing with her small menagerie of animals (current count - 1 dog, 2 cats, 2 horses and 12 chickens) or playing in her "art room."
Aaron Ignac
Assistant Director of Operations
Aaron started in the Career Services Center in 2009. He is motivated by the CSC’s student-driven mission and goals, and is excited to continue his 15-year connection to the Western community. Aaron holds a double major bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology as well as a master’s degree in psychology with a concentration in research and analysis, both from Western. Aaron worked in business research, healthcare, and social research fields before coming to the Career Services Center. Aaron met his wife, Kasey, while attending Western and he enjoys the rewards of raising and keeping up with his daughter, Kamden. When not at work, Aaron enjoys sports, cooking, and spending time with friends.
Susan Anderson
Career Counselor
Susan came to WWU with a broad range of experiences that match the interests and career needs of Western's students. She worked for eight years managing Peace Corps' nationally acclaimed college recruitment program that serves universities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. Susan also held several executive positions in nonprofits including a statewide environmental organization. Internationally, she worked with a variety of NGOs (non-governmental agencies similar to nonprofits) during her tenure as the Director of Peace Corps in St. Vincent and Grenada in the Eastern Caribbean and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Lesotho, Africa.
Susan earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geology from Western Washington University and earned her Master of Education from the University of Washington. Susan enjoys traveling off the beaten path and, with her husband Jim, crossed three continents in Volkswagen vans. Closer to home, she can be found hiking, skiing or gardening almost every weekend.
Sandy Brown
Career Counselor
Sandy came to Western with a varied and interesting career path that enhances her experience and abilities as a career counselor. In her twenties she worked primarily with animals as a Veterinary Technician, Animal Control Officer, and 7 years working in Humane Societies. Turning to working in social services she worked for 14 years in reproductive health and family planning as a counselor and then working with the Displaced Homemaker's program through Skagit Valley College as an instructor. After her daughter Piper was in high school she went back to school and got her Bachelor's degree in Human Services, then on to getting her Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling, both programs here at Western (a double alum!). She came to Career Services a little over a year ago as a permanent member of the staff.
Effie Eisses
Employer Relations Manager
Effie joined the Career Services Center in April of 2004. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Effie has been a resident of Whatcom County since 1995. Effie earned her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia with a concentration in Organizational Behavior and Industrial Relations Management. Prior to joining the Career Services Center, Effie spent 15 years working in Human Resources and especially enjoyed her work in the start-up of several Greenfield operations where she was very involved in organizational design and implementation, including recruitment. Outside of Western, Effie can usually be found at a neighborhood park or ball field playing with her 3 children. She loves family time, reading and traveling.
Diane Flores
Program Coordinator
Promotions and Special Events
Diane Flores has worked in the Career Services Center in various support positions since 1986 (or "since dinosaurs roamed the earth", as one student put it). Her favorite part of the job is helping students and seeing them succeed with their career goals. When she is not scheduling appointments for the career counselors and working on special events, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Kergie Garcia
Coordinator for Career Planning Programs
Kergie began her journey as a first-time college student in midlife after staying at home raising her children and working the family cattle ranch. She came to Western with her transfer degree from Yakima Valley CC graduating from the Communication department two years later. During her undergraduate years, she became involved in the field of student affairs leading her to enter the Student Affairs Program at Western. She completed her internship in the Career Services Center where she developed her passion for helping others explore and create a vision for their future. She spent two years at Wenatchee Valley College-North in Omak before moving to Vancouver Island, BC where she taught and counseled at the local community college for several years. In 1999, the opportunity to return to Western as a career counselor became a reality. Currently, she also works with the Career Center Peer Ambassador team.
At home, she enjoys spending time on the beach and boating with her German shepherd, Ginger
George Kriz
Pre-Healthcare Professions Advisor
George earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of California (Berkeley) and a PhD in organic chemistry from Indiana University. Since beginning his career as a professor at Western in 1967, George has actively participated in numerous societies devoted to the teaching of chemistry, co-authored a series of successful organic chemistry textbooks and was awarded the Peter J. Elich Excellence in Teaching Award in 2000. More recently, George has expanded his role at WWU to include academic/career advising for students interested in pre-healthcare programs. He considers himself especially fortunate to be able to devote his life to something that continues to be so rewarding.
For fun, George is an active member of the bass section of the Whatcom Chorale and a long-time season ticket holder at the Seattle Opera. His New Year's resolution is to play more golf. However, the greatest fun he has is in the classroom.
Lisa Megard
Coordinator of
Programs and Web Communication
Lisa has been working at Western since 1983. She is currently responsible for the Career Services Center website design and content maintenance in addition to coordinating reference letter file services and the annual employment survey of WWU graduates. When not at work, Lisa crews on a sailboat that competes locally and throughout the Puget Sound region, enjoys downhill skiing, riding her bike, photography and traveling.
Renee Murray
Graduate and Pre-Professional Programs Advisor
Following a brief three-month retirement, Renée returned to Career Services to blend her former academic advising and career counseling experiences into a new position dedicated to support students with graduate school, pre-professional and pre-health career goals. A Whatcom County resident, Renée earned her BA in Studio Art and M.Ed. in Student Affairs Administration degrees from Western. "It has been a fabulous opportunity and privilege to be allowed to give back to my alma mater on a daily basis through evolving jobs, and to be able to share my knowledge, energy, enthusiasm, and experiences with the students and family members I have encountered over the years."
When not at work part time, Renée is likely traveling or pursing ongoing interests and workshops in design and working with rock, paper, scissors (and fabric).
Karen Powell
Coordinator for Job Search Services
Karen came by her interest and passion about careers through personally experiencing many of the questions that she now helps others address. As a graduate of University of Puget Sound with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy, Karen spent time in the U.S. Army living across the country and working in Army hospitals. Pursuing an interest in flying developed while in the Army, she became an Air Traffic Controller for 8 years in Texas. Following that elusive desire to try other career pathways, she has also worked as manager of a print shop, for Visiting Nurse Services and for Washington State. In 2005, she graduated with a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and began working at the Career Services Center as Coordinator of Job Search Services in early 2006. She brings both a professional and personal knowledge of career exploration and development that she applies to her work.
Shar Sarte Prince
Program Coordinator
Recruitment Services
Shar Sarte Prince has been a huge fan of Western Washington University from an early age. She grew up in Bellingham, while both her Mom and Stepdad worked at Western. While attending a small private University in California, Shar worked in organizing missions trips to Mexico, a children's literacy program, as a coffee barista and for a regional airline. When Shar had the opportunity to move back to Bellingham, she saw how Western had flourished and decided to renew the relationship, applying for work. She started out at the University Cashier's office, which enabled her to carpool and spend lunches with her Mom almost daily. She jumped at the chance to work as the Recruitment Services Coordinator in the Career Services Center, and enjoys being part of a team that helps students identify their strengths and enables them to pursue and accomplish their goals and career aspirations.
In her free time Shar is often found hanging out with her daughter in their playhouse, gardening, traveling, or creating art in various mediums. She loves a lot of the activities Bellingham affords her, playing in the parks, swimming at the lake and seeing live music and plays. Shar is passionate about community involvement and hopes to make the world a better place for all.
Kelley Walker
Information Technology Specialist
Kelley began working at WWU's Career Services Center in 1997. With previous experience at Canon Computer Systems in Orange County, California and the help desk of Mattel in Phoenix, Arizona, the shift from the corporate world to higher education has been a welcome change of scenery. Outside of work, he spends much of his time reading or writing.
Jessica Burke
Student Program Support Staff
Jessica is returning for her third year at Western. She is originally from Issaquah, WA. Now in Bellingham she is studying at Woodring College of Education and hopes to become a Special Education Teacher and/or an Elementary Teacher. Jessica is excited to be in the Career Services Center for another year. She enjoys volunteering for programs such as, Special Olympics and The Max Higbee Center. When not at school or work, she loves to play volleyball and tennis. On the weekends you can usually find her trying to beat her skill level on Wii Tennis.
Jenna Hall
Student Program Support Staff
Jenna is currently a returning junior at Western, hailing from Sequim, Wash. Not only is she very enthusiastic and ready to be intellectually stretched in all of her classes again this year, but she is also looking forward to her involvement with on campus clubs and organizations! She feels it is an honor to work with the kind and supportive Career Center team in her first on campus job, and is excited be a part of organizing all the great career opportunities and skills the department has to offer its students! She is pursuing Elementary Education with a concentration in English.
Her love for exercise often finds her at the Rec. Center or outside running the beautiful Bellingham trails! She is happiest when she is surrounded by family and friends, doing outdoor activities, being artsy and creative, playing her guitar, reading magazines and studying books by her favorite author, Alexandra Stoddard!
Career Center Ambassadors
- Who We Are
- Our Mission and What We Do
- Become a Career Ambassador
- Book of the Month
Page Last Updated
11.18.2009
