Samantha Wilson, '91
Executive Director
Samantha has served Aggies since 1992, working as an Assistant Scholastic Supervisor for the Athletic Department, the Undergraduate Advisor for the College of Science, and the Premedical/Predental Advisor for Professional School Advising. Samantha joined the Career Center in 1999 as the first Sciences Career Coordinator and throughout the past two decades has held numerous leadership roles, including the Assistant Director for Career Coordinators, the Director of Employment Services, the Director of Campus Programs, and the Associate Executive Director. Samantha is currently the Executive Director of the Career Center, leading career services and helping Aggies to pursue their dream jobs. Samantha earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Texas A&M University, has presented regionally and nationally on a variety of career development topics, and has had the honor of being both a Fish Camp and a Howdy Camp Namesake. 

Patricia Alexander
Associate Director, Education & Human Development
Patricia has been affiliated with Texas A&M and the Career Center for over 30 years.  With a passion for career development, her niche involves assisting and directing students toward their career aspirations.  Her life-long pursuit is for quality and enlightened Education evidenced by her certification as a secondary business teacher.  She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education from Delta State University.  During her tenure at A&M, she has pursued continuing education coursework in Human Resources Development.  Her previous experiences have involved counseling and teaching in high school and proprietary, business school settings with retail sales and product marketing in the business sector.

Roland Block, '92
Associate Director, Engineering
Roland graduated from Texas A&M with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He joined the Career Center in March 2017 following a 20+ year career in the Medical Device Industry. With a passion for innovation, Roland has commercialized 100+ new products, received multiple patents, and was the R&D Project Manager and Marketing Product Manager concurrently for products grossing $250+ Million. Roland progressed from Product Engineer to R&D Project Manager, Product Manager, and ultimately Director of Global Marketing. Roland returned to Aggieland to give back to the University he loves dearly. By working hand in hand with Industry, Faculty, and Students, Roland and the Engineering Career Services Team is committed to promoting career learning & development, to empowering Aggie engineers to realize their potential, and to establishing A&M as a preferred source for engineering talent.  

Dr. Anne Blum, '82
Director, Professional School Advising
Dr. Anne Blum began working in the health professions field in 1994 following graduating with a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration. Dr. Blum began pre-veterinary advising in 2010 and works specifically with the TAMU Veterinary School to ensure Aggie students have the most current information available in order to be a competitive applicant to veterinary school.

 

Lisa Burton, '10
Associate Director, Employment Services
Previously serving juniors and seniors in Mays Business School, Lisa now focuses on developing effective recruiting strategies with employers. She is actively involved in the American Business Women’s Association and serves as the campus advisor. Prior to joining the Career Center in 2012, Lisa had a successful career in sales and marketing in retail, special events, and nonprofit. Lisa holds a BFA in Radio-TV-Film from Sam Houston State University and an M.S. in Marketing from Texas A&M University. Lisa calls College Station home with her husband and has two adult sons.

James R. McClure, '86
Director, Employment Services
After a 30 year career in the oil and gas industry, James joined the Career Center in 2018 to lead the Employment Services team. He graduated from Texas A&M with a B.S. and Masters of Petroleum Engineering. His extensive oil and gas career includes technical roles and leadership positions focused initially on the Mid-Continent US and Gulf of Mexico. This was followed by 13 years of living and working internationally. James and his family first moved to SE Asia where he led a large business unit in Indonesia. He then had several London based leadership roles with operational areas in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Europe. His most recent position was as COO and Technical Director of a private equity funded start-up. Early in his career he led a major oil company’s university recruiting effort, which sparked his interest in supporting students and former students link their career goals to employer needs. He is very excited to be back at Texas A&M!

Paul Pausky, '78
Associate Director, Former Student Career Services
Paul leads the Former Student Services Team helping Aggies implement networking strategies using informational interviews to understand employer needs and opportunities in hidden job markets. He advocates the use of those same networking resources and tactics for Aggies moving up their career ladder. His 22 years of sales and project management served engineering and operations teams in oil & gas, pulp & paper, and telecommunications. He started the Aggie Resume Library responding to the needs of the Aggie Family dealing with the oil industry collapse in 1986.

Dr. Michael E. Shehane, '02
Director, Campus Programs
Michael joined the Career Center in 2009 and currently leads the Campus Programs team. Previously, he managed career services and programs targeted to undecided, exploratory students and served as the advisor for Aggie Career Team, the Career Center's career peer-educator student organization. Michael earned a Ph.D. in Educational Human Resource Development from Texas A&M University in 2017, a M.S.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Baylor University in 2009, and a B.S. in Psychology from Texas A&M University in 2002. Prior to entering his career in higher education, Michael worked in retail management, customer service, and sales for 11 years.

Dr. Anne Blum, '82
Director, JAMP Faculty Director, Pre-Veterinary

Dr. Anne Blum began working in the health professions field in 1994 following graduating with a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration. Dr. Blum began pre-veterinary advising in 2010 and works specifically with the TAMU Veterinary School to ensure Aggie students have the most current information available in order to be a competitive applicant to veterinary school.

 

Rachel Ciomperlik, '13
Career Advisor, Pre-Medical

Rachel earned a B.A. in Biology and M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from Texas A&M University. Before joining PSA in 2018, Rachel taught high school science (Biology, Chemistry, & Physics) for five years. She is incredibly excited to partner with Aggies as they pursue their medical school and ultimately career goals.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys biking & kayaking with her husband, reading, baking, and crocheting. 

Brie Garcia, '02
Career Advisor, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Law, and Pre-OT

Brie earned her B.S. in Kinesiology and M.S. in Educational Human Resource Development from Texas A&M in 2002 and 2011 respectively. Prior to joining PSA in March 2017, she was an academic advisor in A&M’s College of Engineering and Mays Business School and taught high school in the Bryan, East Texas, and Houston areas.
 
Her advising philosophy is shaped by her role as a lifelong learner. Advising is about more than just choosing which courses to take; it is about an opportunity to teach students how to think critically about their futures. Each advising session allows her to learn about a student’s goals, so she can help him or her create a plan of action. She educates students on the resources available to them. Brie believes each student will get as much out of his or her education as they are willing to put in. It is her hope that her students are inspired by their time at Texas A&M University and move on to become ethical leaders and lifelong learners.

Karen W. Severn, '83
Assistant Director, Pre-Law and Pre-Dental

Karen earned a B.S. in Animal Science and a MPA from Texas A&M. She has received numerous advising awards, including the Presidential Advising Award at Texas A&M. Karen serves on numerous state, regional and national organizations related to advising and admissions. She enjoys helping Aggies pursue their passions and make college a fun learning experience. Outside of work, she enjoys living and working at her ranch in Burleson County, where she raises registered goats and is building her Barndominium. Happily married for over 30 years, she is an accomplished fiber artist and cook as well.

Dionne Thomas
Administrative Coordinator

Dionne Thomas began working for PSA in 2002; she supervises and coordinates the retention, maintenance and creation of all office files and records, works electronically editing, updating and approving required file components in database. She assists and works closely with the Assistant Director, medical/dental schools and application centers; she also supervises hires, trains and evaluates all student workers. Dionne has learned everything she knows from the PSA staff, on the job training and TAMU training courses.

Dionne is married with one daughter and two granddaughters. She enjoys spending time with her husband and family, she also enjoys traveling and shopping.

Tammy L. Whisenant, '09
Administrative Associate

Tammy joined PSA in March 2017 and serves the department in several different capacities, such as webmaster, primary communications contact, special events coordinator, and office manager.

She is from Bryan, TX and graduated from A&M in 2009.  She has seen a lot of growth here in the Brazos Valley and more particularly here at A&M (it never seems to stop).  Tammy is a Jesus warrior, an Aggie baseball/football fan, a die-hard New York Yankees fan, and a busy mom.

Tammy received the Presidents Meritorious Service Award in 2017 for her service to the university. 

Tommy Wills
Senior Career Advisor, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Physical Therapy, and Pre-Physician Assistant

Tommy earned a B.A. in Philosophy in 2008 from the Catholic University of America and then went on to serve as an officer in the U.S. Army prior to seeking an M.S. in Education in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Miami in 2013. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Texas A&M.

In Tommy's free time he enjoys playing video games, hanging with his dogs, and going to metal concerts.

Our resources extend far beyond resume reviews and links to job listings. Our advantage is our network building strategy.
 

Debbie Jackson, '76
Senior Career Advisor, Former Students (Serves most recent 2 graduating classes)
Debbie shares her experience and her enthusiasm for helping former students find their passion in life.  She encourages, motivates and provides positive reinforcement to those who are unsure about what they want to do, or who think they have exhausted all options.  She treats each student individually, and does her best to encourage him or her to think creatively, striving for that perfect first or second opportunity, post-graduation.  Recent graduates typically leave an appointment with a renewed sense of excitement, anxious to utilize the various tools that Debbie has shared with them.

Paul Pausky, '78
Associate Director, Former Students (Serves former students graduating 3 or more years ago)
Paul leads the Former Student Services Team helping Aggies implement networking strategies using informational interviews to understand employer needs and opportunities in hidden job markets. He advocates the use of those same networking resources and tactics for Aggies moving up their career ladder. His 22 years of sales and project management served engineering and operations teams in oil & gas, pulp & paper, and telecommunications. He started the Aggie Resume Library responding to the needs of the Aggie Family dealing with the oil industry collapse in 1986.

Tracey Capehart, '05
Assistant Director, Marketing
Tracey moved to Aggieland in 1996.  Her first career, licensed manicurist, led to popularity as a nail artist, and the first person ever licensed by TAMU to paint custom Aggie nail art. Her creativity and growing talent as an artist led her to Texas A&M, Department of Journalism, from which she received Bachelor of Science in 2006.  She worked at Newman Printing Company as a graphic designer and later joined the Career Center in July 2011. Tracey's experience in graphic design has enabled the Career Center to highlight and expand its brand across campus.  Working with gifted staff members she has broadened the marketing footprint the Career Center needs to extend its services to current and former students and the many corporations who seek them for employment.

Dolores Gonzales
Administrative Coordinator
Dolores joined the Career Center team in August 2012. In her current role, she serves as the assistant to the Career Center’s Executive Director as well as the office manager and business coordinator. She schedules and processes travel, oversees the retention of Career Center files and records, manages Career Center accounts, and processes a full range of HR actions. Whenever she isn’t solving all the Career Center’s issues, Dolores loves spending time with her grandbabies.

 

Sharon Irwin
Customer Service Associate
Sharon began at the Career Center in October 2018. She works closely with Dolores Gonzales handling accounts, files, ordering, and ensuring that the office runs smoothly. Sharon and her husband Tony (a native Texan) moved to College Station from Florida in 2011, for his position at Reynolds and Reynolds. Sharon's background was in the field of Early Childhood Education where for 23 years she worked as an administrator and Center Director, taught the Accreditation Program for Early Childhood Educators at a community college, conducted workshops at conferences, and stepped into the role of Preschool Inspector for a few years. In 2007, Sharon aquired her own preschool, which she ran until 2012.

She is excited to start a new career at Texas A&M and all the adventures it will hold!

Elizabeth Windon Hiney, '17
Administrative Associate
Elizabeth joined the Career Center in September 2017. She previously worked in the administrative office but made the move to the new remote Career Center located in Zachry in September 2018. She graduated from Texas A&M in December 2016 with a B.A. in Horticulture, with an emphasis in floral design and event planning. Elizabeth knew having a solid minor of Business would keep her grounded, and a Professional Event Management Certification would help too. Elizabeth works closely with the Career Center's Engineering Advising Team to ensure the office runs smoothly in every way possible.