Staff and Mission

Mission Statement - The staff at SUNY Cortland Career Services is dedicated to providing high quality career counseling assistance to students, alumni, and community members with an emphasis on the development of lifetime skills that lead to successful career and educational choices.

Lisa Allen, student employment coordinator/career counselor
lisa.allen@cortland.edu
Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-4

Lisa is a graduate of Le Moyne College with an undergraduate degree in business administration. She has a Master of Arts degree from Binghamton University in Social Sciences with a concentration in Student Affairs and Diversity. Lisa came to the Career Services office from the Admissions Office, where she worked for four years. In her role as coordinator of student employment/career counselor, Lisa assists students in finding part time (non-work study) jobs while they are enrolled at SUNY Cortland. She also assists students with choosing a major and planning their career path. She serves as a staff justice for the Judicial Affairs Office and has interned in the Advisement and Transition office. Outside of work, she likes to spend time with family and friends.

Michele Baran, career counselor/online operations specialist

michele.baran@cortland.edu
Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-7

Michele joined Career Services in 2003, after completing both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at SUNY Cortland. In her role as career counselor and online operations specialist, she oversees many of the technology-based aspects of career services-the annual graduate survey, the career services website, and JobConnect. Michele's outside interests include outdoor activities and spending time with her family.

 

Pat Edwards, office secretary
pat.edwards@cortland.edu
Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-5

Pat has been with SUNY Cortland since 1988. She has worked in various offices on campus including Residential Services and the Registrar's Office. She became the credentials coordinator in the Career Services Office in 1996, and the office secretary in 2006. In her spare time, Pat enjoys crafting, gardening, and walking. Pat enjoys working with students and is always ready to assist you, so stop by her office in Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-5.

Mickey Gibbons, career resource specialist
michelina.gibbons@cortland.edu
Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-7

Mickey is a certified townie as she grew up in Cortland. She is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology with an undergraduate degree in Professional and Technical Communications, Advertising/Public Relations. Mickey came to the Career Services Office from Alumni Affairs, where she worked for over seven years. In her role as career resource specialist, Mickey manages the career library, works with recruiters and is the main contact for teacher certification questions in the office. She enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with her family.

Louis Larson, associate director
louis.larson@cortland.edu
Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-7

Louie is the only Midwesterner in the office. He grew up in Minnesota and North Dakota. He holds an M.A. in Counseling with a focus in student development and participated in a masters program in Sociology and Vocational Guidance at the University of North Dakota. His B.A. is in History and Sociology. Much of Louie's background is in higher education. He has worked in admissions, orientation and academic advisement, financial aid, residential life, greek affairs, and student activities. Currently, Louie works with students who are in career transitions. These may be first or second year students looking for an appropriate major or direction to third, fourth, or fifth year students looking for experiences in volunteering, internships, graduate school searches, and/ or full and part-time employment. When not working with college students, Louie works with community groups and projects, does landscaping and gardening, runs a bed and breakfast, and likes to travel.

 

John Shirley, director of career services

john.shirley@cortland.edu
Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-5

A graduate of SUNY Oswego (B.S. - Management/Economics, 1981) and Clarkson University (M.B.A. - Marketing, 1983), John's areas of expertise include career development, volunteerism, internship program development and service learning. In addition to his responsibilities in Career Services, John has served as an adjunct instructor in business economics (since 1983) and is actively involved with a number or community-based organizations and schools. John is a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service and the SUNY Career Development Organization's President's Award for Outstanding Service. John enjoys golf, travel, music, and spending time at home with his wife Karen, their two daughters Sara and Lauren, and the family dog, Asher.

 

Donna Young, credentials coordinator
donna.young@cortland.edu
Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-4

Donna has joined the department after serving in various departments such as; Classroom Media Services, Physical Education, and University Police. She is always willing to go the extra mile to assist students with questions.Donna lives in Cortland, with her husband Eric, daughter Cali, and her son Chance. In her spare time she enjoys cooking and playing golf.