Office of Career Services

Alan P. Goodman Director
goodman@cua.edu

Like many students today, I was unclear about what I wanted to do when I entered college, eventually changing from pre-med to psychology. That experience led to my interest in studying how people make career choices and to my desire to help others with those decisions. It is a passion that I share with my fellow Career Services colleagues, and I believe is the reason you will receive the excellent assistance you need whenever you come to us for help.

I have had the privilege of serving as the Office of Career Services director since 1981. While there are many administrative duties that come with this role, I also have ample opportunity to meet with students to discuss resumes, CVs (doctoral students), cover letters, job searching and interviewing. I also serve on the premedical advisory committee.

I received my Ph.D. in Student Personnel with a minor in Labor & Human Resources from The Ohio State University in 1984, preceded by a M.Ed. in Guidance & Counseling from Ohio University in 1972 and an A.B. in Psychology from Rutgers College in 1971.

Prior to CUA I spent four years as the director of counseling services at West Virginia Institute of Technology and four summers working as a guidance counselor and hall director for the Southeastern Ohio Upward Bound Project. I also worked four years working in the Ohio State residence hall system as a doctoral student.

Outside of work I am an avid golfer, photographer and Ohio State football fan (Go Bucks!). I am also an aficionado of 1950's doo-wop and rock & roll music, due in part to being raised first in the Bronx and then Irvington, New Jersey.

Virginia Marbella
Assistant Director
marbella@cua.edu

As the career specialist, I assist students in individual appointments with general career counseling, choosing/switching a major, resume and cover letter writing, the job search, interviewing, and graduate school. I also administer the career interest tests. Additionally I give student presentations on how to…how to write a resume and cover letter, how to conduct a job search, how to interview. Having worked here since 2006, I enjoy being a part of the CUA community.

In 1994, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a minor in Biology from the College of William and Mary. Two years after obtaining my B.A., I moved onto receive my Master of Education (MEd) in College Student Personnel Administration from James Madison University in 1998.

Prior to CUA, I worked for 5 years in the business sector from 2001 to 2006. Most notably, I was the Assistant Director of Recruiting for The Teaching Company, a small privately-owned company specializing in college-style lectures on audio and video. Think of it as a "books on tape" series. I traveled all around the country essentially getting paid to learn! I searched for the best college instructors on a variety of subjects that would appeal to our niche clientele. Before that I served as the Assistant Director of Alumni Programming at Allegheny College for 3 years, from 1998 to 2001.

Outside of CUA, my hobbies include reading and cooking plus I have a passion for baking. Friends keep me in an active social life, and I'm also the proud godmother of 2 children.

Ghillian Porter-Smith
Employer Relations Coordinator
portersmith@cua.edu

As the Employer Relations Coordinator, I manage the on-campus recruiting program, the scheduling of the employer information sessions, and all three major Career Fairs: Fall, Engineering, and Spring.

I have two Bachelor's degrees from Shenandoah University, one in English and one in Theatre. Prior to joining the Career Services team, I worked as a professional actress, both regionally and in the DC area, for eight years, as well as at the Uniformed Services University and the Washington Animal Rescue League.

Kathryn O. Marshall
Associate Director
marshalk@cua.edu

I have been involved in the Career Education/
Development field since 1984. After working in the University of South Carolina's Career Center as part of my Master's degree program, I spent three years in the dual role of Director of the Cooperative Education Program and Assistant Director for Career Development at Berry College in Rome, GA. I then spent nine years at The George Washington University in Washington DC as an Assistant Director of Cooperative Education. During my tenure at GW I worked with students from the School of Business and Public Management for seven years, and two years with students from the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education and Human Development.

I have extensive experience providing individuals with career counseling, job search strategies, resume writing, interview skills and salary negotiations. I periodically presents to outside groups on various career development topics. As the Associate Director of the Career Services office at CUA, I provide career counseling for students interested in exploring internships, writing resumes and cover letters, and developing strong interview and job search strategies skills. Additionally, I am involved with employer development and coordinate the Cardinal Career Mentors program.

I earned a BS degree from Florida State University and an M.Ed from the University of South Carolina. I am a member of Metropolitan Career Life Planning Network and The National Association of Colleges and Employers and have previously belonged to the Cooperative Education Association, The Mid-Atlantic Career Counseling Association, and Women of Washington.

Amanda S. Jones
Student Employment Coordinator
jonesa@cua.edu

I began working in the Career Services Office in August 2006, at the beginning of the academic year, and it hasn't been any less exciting. There is always something new and exciting going on in our office. As tStudent Employment Coordinator I enjoy interacting with students and their supervisors, though I have to admit that my favorite part is getting ready for National Student Employment Week because I get to walk around campus taking pictures of students at work. The rest of the year I help students and their supervisors with work-study questions, and also answer student questions about on-campus employment.

I have a Master's degree in Public Health, in Epidemiology from the University of Illinois, Chicago and a Bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley where I majored in Psychology and minored in Spanish Literature.

Michele P. Gibbs
Adminstrative Assistant
gibbs@cua.edu

I provide support to the professional staff in Career Services. My main role is to ensure the office runs efficiently and visitors to our office are provided with a welcoming environment. In addition, my responsibilities include managing and updating our website, hiring and supervising student employees and assisting with office publicity. My career at CUA began in 2003.

Previously I worked for St. John the Baptist Catholic Community in Silver Spring, MD where I assisted 5 directors in running parish programs. Originally from Schenectady, New York, I was employed by the University at Albany for 9 years before following my heart to the DC area.

My daughter is a senior nursing student here at CUA and my son is a freshman studying business at Shenandoah University. Working in a Catholic environment and higher education combines two very important things in my life.