2024 Career Services Conference Presenters, Panelists, and Moderators
Presenters, Panelists & Moderators
Cassie Barlow, Ph.D.
President
SOCHE
Cassie Barlow joined SOCHE as the Director of Aerospace Professional Development in 2017. She was born and raised in Buffalo, NY and is an avid Bills fan. Cassie is an active volunteer on several different boards across the Dayton community. After traversing the world for 26 years in the Air Force, Cassie has chosen Dayton as her home and the Workforce Development area as her passion.
In the APDC she works with companies across the region helping them find the workforce they need as well as helping to build pathways to in-demand jobs. She also works with job seekers helping them find their niche. Cassie has a special focus on Veterans needs across our region and State. Cassie is an adjunct in the Organizational Leadership Department at Wright State and in her spare time loves spending time with her husband and daughter or reading a good book.
Dori Branch
Customer Success Manager
PeopleGrove
Dori Branch (she/her) is a Customer Success Manager at PeopleGrove, where she leverages her experience in higher education to drive client success. With a strong background in alumni relations and career services, Dori has a proven track record of fostering meaningful connections and enhancing institutional engagement. She holds both a Master of Education in College Student Personnel and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Ohio University.
Jason Eckert
Executive Director, Career Services
University of Dayton
Jason Eckert has served as the Executive Director of Career Services at the University of Dayton since 2008. He came to UD from Marquette University, where he worked for nine years including five years in Career Services. Jason has a BA in Communication and Theological Studies from Saint Louis University, a MS in Counseling and Student Personnel from Oklahoma State University, and is completing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from UD. He is originally from St. Louis, MO and lives in Springboro, OH with his wife and three children. Jason enjoys volunteer roles with the Boy Scouts, coaching youth sports, and numerous Church-related activities with St. Henry Parish. He is also a member of the Cox Arboretum MetroPark Foundation Board and the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
Lucas Faustman
Partnership Lead
JobScan
Lucas Faustman leverages extensive experience as a former software developer and daily work with AI technology to help students navigate ATS systems and enhance their job search success. With a deep understanding of AI trends and their impact on hiring, Lucas specializes in optimizing resumes to beat the bots. His expertise bridges the gap between technical innovation and practical application in the job market.
Emily Frazier
Associate Professor, College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies
University of Cincinnati
Emily Frazier is an Associate Professor, Educator in the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies at the University of Cincinnati. In her nearly 20 years of experience in experiential learning she’s worked with students from a variety of majors and disciplines helping them to prepare and find career related professional experience as undergraduates. She is currently working with liberal arts and pre-health students. Emily is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Ukraine and will never turn down a bowl of borshch.
Monique Frost
The Career Leadership Collective
Monique Frost brings over a decade of professional experience in Higher Education, including roles in Career Services, Residence Life, Student Orientation, and Student Counseling. In Monique’s most recent role, as the Schweinfurth Director of Career and Professional Development at Miami University, in the Farmer School of Business, she led initiatives that directly resulted in the business school rankings:
- The #1 in business school in Ohio, #17 in the nation.
- Top 10 for early-career return on investment.
- Top 20 Public Undergraduate Business School.
- Nation’s top 5%, ranking eighth among public universities and colleges.
Monique values learning, growth, and development and seeks partnerships to assist constituents in achieving excellence. Monique also enjoys utilizing her passions for strategic thinking and planning, collaboration, and leadership to contribute to the success and growth of institutions, teams, and individuals. Originally from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Monique attended a nearby liberal arts college in Ashland, Ohio, called Ashland University. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts (psychology and sociology) and a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling. Monique enjoys returning to her hometown to visit family and friends. Monique and her husband Jonathan also enjoy traveling and vacationing wherever there is a beach or mountains!
Roger Fulk
H. Roger Fulk
Workforce Success Specialist, Center for Workforce Development & Work-Based Learning
Edison State Community College
Professor Emeritus, Wright State University
Roger Fulk holds the rank of Full Professor Emeritus at Wright State University, where he served as the Department Director and Professor for the Office Information Systems Program. He currently is employed at Edison State Community College in the Center for Workforce Development & Work-Based Learning as an Workforce Success Specialist and also serves as an Adjunct Professor.
Roger is a Certified Etiquette Trainer/Presenter, a Certified Proofreader, a Microsoft Office Specialist, a Google Educator, and a Certified Employment Coach. His community service activities include serving on the Board of Directors for the Mercy Mission House and a former Board Member of the Alpha Center. Roger also is a member of the Wilson Health Foundation Board. And he is also active in the Wilson Health Auxiliary, where he serves as Chair of the Scholarship Committee.
He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University, Ohio University, and Shawnee State University and is a graduate of South Webster HS. His awards include being name the National Business Teacher of the Year, Ohio Business Teacher of the Year, Business Professionals of America Hall of Fame, and South Webster HS Hall of Honor. He was also named as one of the Top 10 College Educators in Ohio by Ohio Magazine.
Roger and his wife, Vicki, a retired business teacher from Sidney HS, reside in Sidney. They are the parents of three daughters—Kati, Sara, and Emily, who also are in the education field. They are grandparents to a one-year old granddaughter—Gracie Jo.
Doreen Grontkowski
Assistant Professor, College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies
University of Cincinnati
Doreen Grontkowski is an Assistant Professor, Educator in the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies at the University of Cincinnati. In her role as faculty co-op advisor, she advises, teaches and mentors engineering students through the cooperative education program with a focus on holistic career education and helping students create their “brand”. Prior joining UC as a faculty member, she was a successful entrepreneur whose business knowledge and experience created a foundation for her work in experiential education.
Hannah Harshman
Apprenticeship Coordinator, Work-Based Learning
Sinclair College
Hannah Harshman has more than seven years of career coaching experience and is currently serving as the Apprenticeship Coordinator for the Department of Labor – Amplify Industrial Maintenance grant in the Work-Based Learning department at Sinclair Community College. She has a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Education in Student Affairs, both from Wright State University.
Angelica Kennedy
Executive Assistant to the President | Office Manager of the Executive Suite
Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
Angelica Kennedy holds the pivotal role of Executive Assistant to the President and Office Manager of the Executive Suite at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. In this capacity, she provides crucial support to the Board of Trustees and the Executive Team. Her responsibilities extend to addressing student academic concerns and spearheading various outreach projects to foster robust community relationships.
Angelica’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity is evident in her role as a member of the Justice, Access, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (JAIDE) Council, where she serves as the Program & Events Chair. She also contributes to the academic community as a First Year Experience Adjunct Professor at the college and an adjunct Media Writing Instructor at the University of Cincinnati.
Angelica has over twenty years of diverse experience in higher education. She started her career as a student worker in the admissions office at the University of Cincinnati. After several years at UC, Angelica became the Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Good Samaritan College of Nursing. She has worked as a teacher, career counselor, and community advocate with a diverse population. She enjoys working within higher education and would like to continue supporting and educating individuals as a higher education professional in student success and as a documentarian.
Angelica’s academic journey is a testament to her passion for learning and her commitment to personal and professional growth. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Art in Communication and a Master of Education from the University of Cincinnati. Her thirst for knowledge led her to pursue a Master of Art in Communication and acquire several certificates from esteemed institutions, including the University of California Los Angeles. Angelica’s dedication to excellence in education is further underscored by her certifications from the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). She recently added a master’s certificate in Spiritual Leadership and Discipleship to her repertoire and is an Ordained Minister. Angelica’s pursuit of knowledge continues unabated as she furthers her education with a doctoral degree in school improvement at the University of Texas at Tyler.
In her spare time, she loves karaoke, cooking, spending time with her family, and creating documentaries to encourage and educate the community.
Alex Kenner
Regional Sales Manager
LexisNexis
Alex Kenner graduated from the University of Dayton in 2018 with degrees in Marketing and Management Information Systems. He began his career at LexisNexis as a Sales Development Rep before being promoted to a Telephonic Account Executive. In 4 years after assuming this role, Alex has consistently outperformed his yearly target while participating in numerous leadership roles, product launches (Lexis+ AI) , new hire trainings, and national projects. From there, he made the jump to join the leadership team as an SDR manager where his team saw quick success and which opened the door to more responsibility in his current position of Regional Sales Manager of Mid Atlantic Accounts.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys playing sports, specifically golf and sand volleyball as well as rooting on the Reds and the Bengals. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree at UD through the LexisNexis cohort and is expected to graduate in August 2024.
Austin Raines, DSW
Associate Director of Career Services
Shawnee State University
Born and currently residing in Scioto County, Ohio, Dr. Austin Raines embodies the spirit of his Appalachian roots as a first-generation college graduate. His academic journey, spanning from Social Science and Sociology degrees at Shawnee State University to a Master’s and Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Kentucky, focusing on Social Work Education and Community and Social Development, reflects his deep commitment to education and community development.
Austin is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and holds certifications in various fields, including a Master of Career Services, Chemical Dependency Counseling, Adult Education, and Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment. His accolades, ranging from Outstanding Graduate Awards to being named Ohio’s Teacher of the Year, underscore his dedication to empowering individuals through education.
Austin’s professional journey, spanning over eight years in higher, adult, and high school education, is marked by his diverse roles. He is an Associate Director of Career Services and Instructor at Shawnee State University and a Part-Time Instructor at the University of Kentucky’s Graduate College of Social Work. He also has a pivotal role in Scioto County Aspire, guiding individuals toward their high school equivalency, adult diploma, post-secondary education, and career aspirations.
Austin has developed or aided in curriculum development for several courses at Shawnee State University and authored chapters in “Shawnee: A Guide to Your First Year and Beyond.” His research includes men and masculinities, intersectionality, occupational choices, the gender wage gap, and the work-home balance concept, which led to his other publication, “Removing the Masc: Dismantling Gendered Occupations Through Social Work Education.”
Austin’s connection to his work goes beyond academia. His beautiful partner, Christina Baker, a fellow educator and Career Services provider driven by the same passion for helping others, stands with him. Currently, they are finding joy in all of their work in education and the company of their family, friends, and pug, Prudence Praline. They enjoy traveling, concerts, and watching various TV series and movies when free time is available.
Austin is a firm believer in the transformative power of education. As an active committee member for numerous committees and professional associations, he is driven by the mantra, ‘Each one, reach one. Each one, teach one. Until all are taught.’ He champions the idea that education is not confined to formal institutions but permeates every aspect of our professional and personal growth. His ultimate hope is for individuals to discover purpose by passionately pursuing their aspirations and embracing careers that resonate with their core values. In doing so, he believes they will not only achieve fulfillment in their professional endeavors but also cultivate holistic self-realization within and beyond the confines of the workplace.
Steve Whayne
Regional Assistant Director, Employer Relations
Miami University Regionals
Steve Whayne worked at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati for over 20 years and is well-connected to the corporate community. He also worked for a market research firm in Blue Ash for 5 years. In both of these companies, Steve was very involved in helping high school and college students achieve their goals. Steve is excited to continue helping students at Miami Regionals.
