Concurrent Sessions

Kyle Thompson, Career Consultant, Michigan State University

Students often experience stress, a feeling of being overwhelmed, and uncertainty during the job search, which can leave them feeling stuck or disengaged. This session explores wellness-informed strategies career practitioners can use to support students navigating these challenges. Participants will examine common sources of job search burnout, engage in reflective activities used with students, and discuss practical approaches for helping students regain momentum, confidence, and a sense of control in their career development process.

Wanda Bigelow, Apprenticeship Expansion Analyst, LEO WD State Apprenticeship Expansion

The Michigan Apprenticeship Readiness Certification (MARC) provides a state-endorsed quality stamp for pre-apprenticeship programs, ensuring students master the foundational skills required for Registered Apprenticeship success. By fostering collaboration between educators and employers, MARC builds inclusive, student-centered pathways that provide equitable workforce access for diverse populations. This framework streamlines access to Registered Apprenticeship Programs, empowering students to transition seamlessly into sustainable, high-wage careers. 

Amy Kraatz, Talent Development Liaison; Collin Hoffmeyer, Talent Development Liaison, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity; James Fults, Workforce Programs and Recruitment Section Manager at the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)

Michigan’s transportation and infrastructure sectors face critical talent shortages. This session shows how LEO and MDOT are using Employer‑Led Collaboratives and the TPM framework to unite industry, education, and workforce partners around shared talent needs. Participants will see how real‑time labor data, curriculum alignment, and expanded career pathways strengthen pipelines. Attendees will leave with practical tools, including Value Asset Mapping, to build stronger partnerships and create sustainable, data‑driven regional talent ecosystems.

Denise McConkey, Career and Life Design Coach;Kelly Dorner, Director, Life Design and Campus Partnerships; Valance Washington, Professor, Oakland University

Bio Journey is a cross-functional partnership between the Biology Department and Career and Life Design Center that integrates career development directly into Biology curriculum. Through employer panels, career treks, and discipline-specific workshops, students explore pathways aligned with their degree while building professional networks. Faculty and career and life design professionals collaborate intentionally to embed programming and measure impact. This session shares the framework, early outcomes, and a replicable model for advancing student engagement and career readiness.

Chris Taylor, Senior Technical Assistance Coach, Safal Partners (National Veterans’ Technical Assistance Center)

Student veterans present very unique experiences to an academic setting, however they are often unprepared civilian employment post-graduation. Providing resources and supports to assist them in transitioning from academia to employment can reduce early attrition, increase their professional success, and improve their likelihood of long-term employment. This session will focus on skills that can help educators and support staff assist these unique students with developing strong cultural competency around the civilian workplace.

Ethan Tanis, Industry Partnerships & Work-Based Learning Manager, GVSU – Padnos College of Engineering

Programs that require internships/co-ops must ensure every student secures “placement.” This session explores how career services/academics can leverage Handshake (or other CRMs) tools and data to improve “placement” while increasing targeted employer engagement. Learn how self-service strategies help students find updated, targeted opportunities without additional advising while reducing application and search fatigue. Employers will see into the student and career services perspective of Handshake and learn what to ask from their target campus partners and why institutions encourage recruiting through these platforms.

James Jackson, Transportation Development and Recruitment Program  Coordinator, MDOT

Networking builds contacts. Netweaving builds alignment. This interactive session introduces a practical framework for transforming employer engagement into measurable talent outcomes. Participants will clarify their workforce “assignment,” apply a structured engagement model, and practice a high-impact networking technique that positions them as solution-oriented connectors. Through guided dialogue and application exercises, attendees will leave with actionable tools to strengthen partnerships and elevate Michigan’s talent ecosystem.

Shelley Lowe, Director of Educated Workforce Strategy, Michigan College Access Network

As students consider education and career pathways, employer recruiters and training specialists, career advisors and coaches play a critical role in shaping how students and families understand their education and career options, including skilled trades and advanced degree opportunities. This session clarifies the role colleges and employers play in delivering high-demand skilled trades programs to and through developing next-level leaders and learners.

Participants will explore current workforce and labor market data to strengthen advising with accurate, transparent information; examine how mental models influence postsecondary career and education decision-making; and learn how to leverage tools such as Roadmap2Opportunity to support informed conversations about career pathways and regional demand.

School counselors and access advisers will leave better equipped to expand students’ awareness of college option pathways. Employers will leave with a better understanding of tool utilization to attract and retain key talent.

Sarah Marshall, Professor and Department Chairperson; Jon Humiston (they/them), Director | Noncredit and Alternate Enrollment Programs, Central Michigan University

This interactive session shares how Central Michigan University is developing a grant-funded portfolio of professional development courses designed to align with employer skill needs while also creating pathways into academic degrees. Presenters will discuss the design framework behind stackable microcredentials, partnerships with industry, and strategies for connecting workforce learning with higher education programs. Participants will leave with practical ideas for building scalable talent pipelines that support both employers and learners.

Maelle Rouquet, Career and Life Design Coach, Oakland University

This workshop introduces transformational and strength-based coaching techniques designed to enhance career coaching effectiveness, student success and retention in Higher Education. Grounded in core competencies from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), research on Self-Determination and Self-Efficacy, and structured through a design thinking approach, participants will explore how coaching—distinct from advising—can build student motivation, confidence and ownership in career development. Through role-plays, attendees will practice coaching techniques and choose one strategy to implement in their conversations.

Michelle Burke, Director of Postsecondary Programs and Partnerships, Michigan Center for Adult College Success/TalentFirst; Steve Sanocki, Director of Student Success, Muskegon Community College; Alicia Goll, Student Success Navigation Project Manager, Muskegon Community College

Adult learners represent Michigan’s most stable, experienced talent pool. Learn how The Michigan Center for Adult College Success partners with Muskegon Community College to build high-quality talent pipelines. Using a three-pronged approach—Awareness, Advocacy, and Connection—MCC aligns adult “Reconnectors” with relevant educational pathways. The Center will share research on Michigan’s “Some College, No Degree” population and specific tactics employers can use to support and retain employees pursuing postsecondary education.