Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm
Drop-in Hours:Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm

The mission of the Career Services Center is to provide professional guidance and resources to undergraduate and graduate students and alumni for their lifelong career development. Programs and services are designed to educate, counsel, and engage students and alumni in career planning and decision-making, experiential learning, continuing education, and/or employment search activities. To provide these programs and services, the Career Services Center establishes mutually beneficial relationships with students, alumni, employers, faculty, staff, and the community.

Patrick Madsen, Director

Patrick's background includes a degree in Psychology from North Carolina State University, a master's degree in Counselor Education from East Carolina University, and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership/Student Affairs from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Madsen has more than twelve years of experience in higher education and nine years of experience teaching at the university level, most recently at the Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Madsen has presented on topics including career counseling and student development, leadership and followership, and organizational communication at the regional and national level and has been quoted multiple times in the Examiner, The Business Journal, The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Business Journal, The Baltimore Jewish Times, The Daily Record, CNN.com, AOL and CareerBuilder.com; heard on NPR. International travels and consultations have taken Dr. Madsen from regional consultations with corporations to Azerbaijan to conduct career related trainings for students and consultation with the administration in building a career center for the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy as well as consultation with a Serbian Delegation on building a system of experiential learning opportunities for students nationwide. Dr. Madsen was recently selected as an international expert on career services and higher education for the Fulbright Specialist program, a five year honor.

Sheryl Williamson, Business Manager

Sheryl is responsible for the day-to-day business functions of Career Services. She is a native of Charleston, SC, graduated from Trident Community College and has worked at UNCG for the past 8 years.  Before coming to UNCG she was Co-Director for Communications Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, a local nonprofit agency, and is a licensed sign language interpreter. Sheryl brings the UNCG parent perspective to Career Services as both her daughters graduated from UNCG, one from the School of Education and one from the School of Nursing. In her spare time she enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her grandsons.

Sue Brien, Assistant Director for Employer Relations

Jodi Barber, Web Developer/Technology Administrator

Jodi is an alumnus of UNCG, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1996.  She has been with the Career Services Center for over 10 years during which time she worked in several different areas before settling in her true love, technology.  Her favorite activities include riding roller coasters, singing, dancing and eating.

Leigh Marquess, Career Internship Counselor

Originally from Ohio, Leigh completed her Master of Public Affairs and Master of Science in Counseling degrees at UNCG. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kent State University. Leigh has worked, interned, and volunteered for a number of non-profit and public organizations. She is passionate about helping students with their career development needs, whether it is choosing a major or career direction, finding an internship, or preparing for the job search or graduate school. In her free time, Leigh likes to travel, read, and is still trying to commit to a regular yoga practice.

Kala Taylor, Career Internship Counselor

Kala was born and raised in North Carolina and obtained a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Wake Forest University, and a J.D. from Louisiana State University's Paul M. Hebert Law Center. Prior to joining the Career Services team at UNCG, Kala served as Associate Director of the Office of Career & Professional Development at Wake Forest University School of Law and served as a certified internal diversity trainer for Wake Forest. Kala has teaching experience as a former instructor at Forsyth Technical Community College. Before her career in higher education, Kala practiced real estate law with a regional firm and is still an active member of the North Carolina State Bar. In her spare time, Kala enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children.

Gretchen Pugh, Graphic Designer/Internship Program Assistant

A Greensboro native, Gretchen earned a BFA, with concentration in graphic design from Longwood College in Virginia. At the same time, she was a member of the Women’s Golf Team at Longwood and was named an NCAA All-American. Upon graduation, Gretchen chose golf over art, turned professional, and began teaching others the skills necessary to play golf. All the while, Gretchen used her graphic design skills to promote her golf lessons and to do freelance graphic work ranging from designing logos, brochures, promotional posters to painting well known characters on store windows. After 12 years of teaching golf, she decided to switch courses and focus on a career as a graphic designer. Gretchen currently creates and designs all collateral used in the promotion of the Career Services Center and its events and workshops.

Conquaya James, Assistant Director for Career Development

Conquaya James is a National Certified Counselor who was primarily raised in Southeast England.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University and received her Master of Science and Education Specialist degrees in Counseling and Human Systems with an emphasis on Career Counseling from Florida State University (FSU).  Prior to joining the Career Services team at UNCG, Conquaya served as the Assistant Director for Career Advising, Counseling, & Programming in the Career Center at FSU.  Conquaya trains and supervises career counselors, graduate practicum and internship students and works with students one-on-one regarding their career development needs.  Outside of the CSC you may find Conquaya tumbling ‘til her heart’s content (as in gymnastics), traveling, or getting involved in outdoor activities.   

Linda Pollock, Career Counselor, Bryan

Linda, an alumnae of UNCG, has her M.S. in Counseling with a concentration in College Counseling and Student Development. She is the liaison to the Bryan School of Business and Economics and has worked in banking, event planning, public relations, and various nonprofits. She has her undergraduate degree from Eastern Kentucky University in Public Relations, but is glad to call North Carolina home. When she's not at work, she loves getting outdoors to the beach or the mountains. Linda's office is located in 301 Bryan Building to serve students in Accounting, Business Administration, CARS, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Hospitality, Information Systems, International Business and Marketing.

Craig Pickett, Career Counselor

Craig serves as the Career Counselor for Career Development.  In 2008 he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Davidson College. He received his Master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2010.  While in graduate school, he served as the Career and Student Services Associate at the University of Pittsburgh – Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.  Here at UNCG, he provides students with one-on-one counseling sessions on a range of topics, including resumes, cover letters, networking, internships, job search techniques, and interviewing skills. In addition, he supervises the Peer Career Advisors.  With a focus on the holistic student experience, Craig has a strong interest in career development, student leadership, multicultural education, retention initiatives, academic advising, and student activities.   

Katy Green, Career Counselor

Katy was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, (Go Steelers!) and received a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Spanish from Saint Francis University and obtained a M.A. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. At UNCG, Katy's career is focused on providing intensive and purposeful career development assistance in addition to working closely with all Learning Communities & Living Learning Communities. Outside of the CSC, Katy enjoys life with art, thrifty shopping, tending to her rambunctious boxer pup Sheba, and staying active with exercise.    

Chad Collins, Assistant Director for Student Employment

Originally from Buffalo, NY, Chad started at UNCG Career Services in 2004.  He holds a M.S. degree in College Student Personnel Administration from Canisius College and a B.A. degree in Psychology and Religion from the University of Rochester.  Chad is a current member of both local and national professional associations in career services/student employment and has presented at the National Student Employment Association’s annual conference.  He likes to work with students from all majors and is Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) certified.  Outside of his professional life, Chad enjoys hockey, golf and music. 

Tricia Lamar, Program Assistant for Student Employment

Tricia has worked at UNCG in the Career Services Center for 8 years.  Prior to UNCG she worked at The North Carolina School of the Arts.  Tricia's previous careers included: owner of Baby Furniture Plus, creator of Atlanta Cookout Caterers and X-Ray technologist.

Mary Mishler, Career Resource Librarian

Mary manages both the CSC Career Resource Library Collections and the CSC web-based, online Reference File Service.  Additionally Mary helps students in the CSC resource library and during drop-in hours.  She holds a Master of Library Science and a Bachelor of Arts in History, both from UNCG.  Mary has been on staff with the Career Services Center for 13 years.  Prior to coming to UNCG she managed Interlibrary Loan for the Washington County Free Library in Western Maryland.

Amelia Smith, Front Office Assistant

Amelia has been at UNCG since October 2002. She is the face you see when you enter Career Services and the voice you hear when you call the Center. Prior to coming to UNCG, she worked at the NC School for the Deaf. In addition to her receptionist's duties she supervises and trains the student employees of the Career Services Center. Amelia loves spending time with her family and dog Cosmo, going to the beach and mountains, cooking, working out, and playing with her grandchildren.