Center for Careers, Life, and Service Staff

Headshot of Mark Peltz

Daniel and Patricia Jipp Finkelman Dean of Careers, Life, and Service

Mark (he/him) oversees all facets of the Center for Careers, Life, and Service, including strategic planning, program development, budget management, and leading a talented team who bring a rich array of experiences to their work at Grinnell. As a member of President Harris’s senior leadership team...
Sarah Barks

Senior Director, STEM Career Communities & Analytics

Sarah leads the Science, Engineering & Sustainability and Technology & Data Career Communities at Grinnell. They provide students and early career alumni industry-focused advising, experiential learning opportunities, and targeted programming as they focus and connect their values, strengths, and...
A headshot of Chad

Lawrence S. Pidgeon Education Professions+ Career Community Director

Chad (he/him) leads the Education Professions Career Community (EdPros+) at Grinnell. He serves as the principal resource for students and alumni considering and planning careers in education and related professions that center the value of human potential, learning, and development. Such careers...
Photo of Robin Bourjaily

Assistant Director, Exploratory Career Community

Robin (she/her) connects with students at the beginning of their Grinnell journey as assistant director of the Exploratory Career Community. Born southwest of Iowa City, Robin attended Georgetown University (BA, English and Fine Arts) and the University of Iowa (MA, Creative Nonfiction). She spent...
A headshot of Gracie Brandsgard

Director, Government, Law, and Policy Career Community

Gracie (she/her) leads the Government, Law, and Policy Career Community at Grinnell. She provides students and early career alumni with advice and assistance, including industry-focused employment and learning opportunities in the areas of government, law, and policy. She also advises students and...
Stephanie Christel

Recruitment and Program Coordinator

Stephanie serves as the primary contact for all entities seeking to recruit students at Grinnell College. She also manages all facets of on-campus and virtual recruiting, as well as the on-campus recruiting module. Stephanie has held academic administrative support positions previously at Vassar...
A headshot of Emily Creery

Exploratory Adviser

Emily (she/her) is passionate about empowering students to build a life that allows them to celebrate their authentic and unique selves, ambitions, and interests. By encouraging students to dig deeper through self-reflection, Emily supports Grinnellians as they challenge systemic, societal, and...
A headshot of Sasha

Exploratory Adviser

Sasha (he/him) serves Grinnell students beginning their search for meaning and development in professional, personal, and volunteer contexts. Sasha focuses his work on becoming a trusted and helpful mentor for the wonderful students of Grinnell. His hope for current Grinnellians is to aid them in...
Kelly Harris

Assistant Dean and Director of Employer Engagement

Kelly leads a team responsible for developing and executing strategies to expand internships, full-time post-graduate positions, and related opportunities for Grinnell students. As Assistant Dean and Director of Employer Engagement, Kelly and her team oversee the Handshake online career management...
Ann Landstrom

Assistant Dean & Director of Global Fellowships & Awards

Ann coordinates the nomination and selection processes for students and alumni interested in nationally competitive fellowships, scholarships, and grants as well as select Grinnell-specific fellowships and awards. Ann has worked within higher education across the United States from Oregon to New...
A headshot of Julie

Associate Director of Community-Engaged Learning

Julie Lascol (she/her/hers) is the Associate Director of Community-Engaged Learning. She is responsible for supporting faculty and community partners in the design and implementation of community-engaged learning initiatives. Julie is committed to co-constructing power- and privilege-aware projects...
Michael Lawrence

Director, Business & Finance Career Community

Michael leads the Business and Finance Career Community at Grinnell. He provides students and early career alumni industry-focused advising, experiential learning opportunities, and targeted programming as they focus and connect their values, strengths, and interests to specific postgraduate goals...
Headshot of Susan Sanning wearing glasses and a red and black sweater.

Associate Dean and Director of Civic Education and Innovation

As the Associate Dean and Director of Civic Education and Innovation at Grinnell College, Susan works in close partnership with the Center for Careers, Life & Service Dean and has responsibility for a number of center-wide priorities. In her role as the Director of Civic Education and Innovation...
image of Donna

Assistant Dean and Executive Director of Career Communities

As Assistant Dean and Executive Director of Career Communities in the Center for Careers, Life, and Service, Donna’s primary focus is providing support and leadership for the CLS staff and the advising programs, resources, and experiences that our students engage in. Donna is a native New Yorker...
Vicki Nolton

Assistant Director for Social Innovation Partnerships and Education

Vicki assists with the coordination and support of events and projects related to the Grinnell Prize, Grinnell Corps, post-graduate service, civic engagement, and service learning. She feels fortunate to work on an incredible team with diverse talents and personalities. A native of Panama (Iowa...
A headshot of Amanda Pearce

Associate Director of Employer Engagement and Internships

Amanda (she/her) joined the CLS in June 2023 to be the Associate Director of Employer Engagement and Internships. As a team member of the CLS, Amanda seeks to continue to develop and expand internship opportunities for Grinnell students. Amanda will also focus on expanding recruiting partnerships...
Headshot of Dani Perkins

Director, Exploratory Career Community

In her role in the Center for Careers, Life and Service, Dani is excited to support exploratory students as they begin their professional, personal, and civic journeys. Her goal is for all students to feel empowered to continually explore their values, strengths, and interests, engage in intentional...
Laura Poole

Program Coordinator

Laura provides administrative and logistical support for a large portfolio of College-specific and national and international fellowships and awards. Beyond the global fellowships and awards responsibilities, she also manages and administers an array of CLS grants to support students’ personal...
A photo of Destini Ross

Associate Director, Arts, Media & Communications

Destini Ross (she/they) is the associate director of the Arts, Media & Communications Career Community. They work closely with students and campus partners to provide meaningful career advising and tailored events. Destini aims to serve as a grounding presence and empower students to chase their...
Mary Jane N. Shroyer

Director, Health Professions Career Community

Mary Jane leads the Health Professions Career Community at Grinnell. She provides students and early career alumni industry-focused advising, experiential learning opportunities, and targeted programming as they focus and connect their values, strengths, and interests to specific postgraduate goals...
Ryan Solomon

Associate Director of Civic Education and Innovation

Ryan Solomon facilitates community engagement opportunities for students at Grinnell College, both through funded programs, like Service-Learning Work Study, and volunteer opportunities. Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Ryan completed his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin, after which...

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