Meet the Team

Amanda and her team work to deliver educational programs and services designed to enhance the career preparation and advancement of WPI students and alumni. This includes coordinating all stages of the process from needs assessment and design to planning, development, implementation and evaluation. In addition, she manages the cooperative education (co-op) program including program design, strategic direction and student registrations. Prior to becoming the Associate Director, Amanda spent 4 years as the Assistant Director of Co-op and Career Services and a Career Advisor. On campus, Amanda is an Innovations Fellow, working with first generation students and Chair of the Young Professional Development (YPD) Committee, helping organize professional development opportunities for young professionals of WPI. She holds a MA in Counseling from The University of Bridgeport in addition to a BS in Business Administration Marketing from Bryant University.

As Associate Director, Employer Relations and Recruiting, Jaime leads the employer team in their work with company representatives at all levels of industry. The employer team consults on recruiting strategies and on-campus activity to assist employers with their hiring needs and brand awareness. Jaime also serves as the project manager for career fairs and other events, as well as for the office’s Employer Advisory Counselor (EAC). In addition to employer related activities, Jaime advises students on a variety of career related topics. She is committed to enhancing employer engagement and fostering opportunities for students to engage with employers and advance their career and professional development. Jaime joined the Career Development Center in 2018 on the Operations Team as an Administrative Assistant and then joined the Employer Team as a Recruiting Specialist in 2019. In 2019 she also became the Assistant Director, Employer Relations and Recruiting.  On campus, she is a member of the Student Support Network (SSN) and faculty advisor for WPI’s chapter of Society of Women Engineers.

Riky educates students and alumni on a wide range of career related topics through workshops, one-on-one appointments, and the development and creation of visual learning materials and activities. She also oversees student facing marketing and communication efforts, including graphic design and social media. Though Riky joined the Career Services team in 2016, she has been at WPI since 2010. Prior to her work in the Career Development Center, Riky served as Administrator of Theatre Technology and Instructor of Theatre in the WPI Department of Humanities and Arts, Drama/Theatre Program, where she taught students from all disciplines and advised numerous productions each year. Riky is Faculty Advisor and member of both Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society. She holds an MBA from WPI in addition to a BS in Business Administration from Worcester State University and a BA in Fine and Performing Arts with a Concentration in Arts Management from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Riky became an MBTI Certified Practitioner in January 2019.

As Assistant Director, Career Education Resources and Graduate Students, Sue provides career advising services for degree-seeking students and alumni; develops and facilitates career education programs; and partners with colleagues across campus to enhance the career and professional development of all students. Additionally, she manages the graduate student career peer advisors; is the liaison to WPI’s graduate student population; and oversees specialized programming and aquisition of new career resources that help scale and supplement the personalized services provided by the Heebner CDC.

She believes in increasing equitable access to career-related experiences for students from diverse and underrepresented groups, and helps students identify employers who have a true commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion. Prior to joining the CDC in 2022 , Sue held positions in career development at Emerson College, the Hiatt Career Center, Quinsigamond Community College, University of Mary Washington, The University of Georgia, and in Human Resources for the American Cancer Society. She also holds the designation of Certified Career Services Provider from the National Career Development Association. Outside of work Sue enjoys curling up with a good book, baking, enjoying the many hiking trails in the area, and spending quality time with her husband and two college age sons.

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Education

• M.Ed. College Student Affairs Administration, The University of Georgia
• B.A. English and American Literature, Brandeis University

Professional Highlights

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace, Professional Certificate, University of South Florida, 2021
• Understanding Corporate Disability Inclusion Practices Training, Work Without Limits, 2019
• Supporting Career Development of Students with Mental Health Conditions, Work Without Limits, 2019
• Boston Inclusion Community: Expanding Access and Inclusion of Youth with Disabilities, Partners for Youth with Disabilities, 2019
• Authored 3 articles for Carpe Careers Column on Inside HigherEd: The Early-Stage Graduate Student Guide to Summer (2019); To Disclose or Not to Disclose (2016); and Self-Talk and Job Hunting (2015)

Stefano spends his time between coordinating with employers to develop and execute a positive engagement strategy and educating students on the best methods for beginning and advancing their careers. Whenever possible, Stefano tries to connect the dots between employer opportunities and student job seekers. Stefano has an extensive professional background with many years in sales and marketing, most notably in the craft beer industry, and student services. He joined WPI in 2022 as a Career Advisor on the Employer Team before stepping into the Employer Relations Coordinator role in 2023.

Malvina Piziak is a Career Advisor who not only meets with students, but also does the marketing for the Heebner Career Development Center (HCDC). Her mission is to improve the lives of others by working for them, alongside them to find innovative, non-traditional ways to solve challenges through continuous improvement. She does this by working at the Career Center, providing assistance for students on a variety of topics relating to the career search and decision-making process. She also works to ensure that first-generation students and those struggling on their journeys are heard and receive the career support they need.  Malvina is also a 2022 WPI graduate who majored in Business and Psychological Science. On campus, a couple notable things are that Malvina was a TA for BUS 3020 teaching others about industrial engineering concepts and their applications in lab, and was a SWEET Center Consult assisting groups on campus who may need additional support to achieve harmony.

Pronouns: They/She

As the Assistant Director of Employer Relations, I am dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between our students and prospective employers. With a keen focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), I collaborate with employers to design and implement strategic recruitment initiatives that align with our university’s commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce.

My role involves leveraging my expertise to guide employers in developing recruitment strategies that not only identify top talent but also embrace the values of diversity and inclusivity. By cultivating relationships between the corporate world and our academic community, I contribute to the professional growth of our students while also promoting an environment of equitable opportunities.

Beyond the office, I am a gender-affirming personal trainer, dedicated to helping individuals achieve their fitness goals while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. My passion for fostering positive change extends beyond the career realm as I actively contribute to the wellbeing of individuals seeking a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

When I’m not shaping careers or promoting wellness, you’ll likely find me indulging in the world of specialty coffee. Exploring the nuances of flavor and the artistry of coffee-making allows me to unwind and relish in the simple joys of life. Current go to: espresso tonic.

I am thrilled to be a part of the Career Development Center team and am committed to driving both professional advancement and personal growth within our vibrant community.