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Mission Statement
The mission of the Toppel Career Center is to help students and alumni develop career skills by providing high quality resources, services, programming and events that will prepare them for a lifetime of career success.

Vision Statement
Empowering and connecting a world of successful Canes.


 


Christian Garcia, Executive Director
(305) 284-5451
christian@miami.edu

Christian is a higher education professional with 15 years of experience in a variety of areas within student and academic affairs. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Toppel Career Center, where he is responsible for the management and strategic direction of one of the country's most innovative and dynamic career centers. Previously, Christian served as Associate Director of Employer Relations, responsible for creating and maintaining relationships with employers representing a wide range of industries. He is currently working toward his doctoral degree with a dual concentration in Higher Education and Organizational Leadership. Christian earned his Master of Science degree in Higher Education from Florida State University and Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Florida International University. Prior to the UM, he worked at the University of Michigan and Millersville University of Pennsylvania.
 
Operations
 


Karen Fernandez, Office Manager
(305) 284-2469
kfernandez@miami.edu

Karen joined Toppel in June of 2008 as Office Manager. Karen’s professional experience includes work in the fields of logistics, sales, purchasing management, and general organizational operations. She has been with the University of Miami since 2002 and has worked for the Office of Admission, Alumni Relations and the Cuban Institute. Karen is currently pursuing her degree at the University of Miami.
 


Lidia Jimenez, Administrative Assistant
(305) 284-5451
Ljimenez@miami.edu

Lili has been the Administrative Assistant at Toppel since October 2008, and she has been at the University of Miami since 2003. She oversees the reception area, the Toppel Library, and Jobs for Canes postings. Lili worked at UM’s Office of Admission for five and a half years, where she served as an Assistant and supervised the P100’s. Lili earned a Bachelor’s degree from UM and is currently pursuing a Master of Liberal Arts from the University of Miami.

 
Employer Relations
 
 


Natalie de Rojas, Assistant Director, Recruiting Services
(305) 284-1822
derojas@miami.edu

Natalie has been with Toppel since 2002 and is responsible for On Campus Recruiting and Toppel's local recruiting initiatives. She previously worked for Florida International University in the Division of Student Affairs. Natalie is currently pursuing her degree at the University of Miami.
 


Veronica Soto, Assistant Director, Career Events
(305) 284-1820
veronica@miami.edu

Veronica has served in this role since August 2007 and her main responsibility is organizing all the major- specific career fairs. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of West Georgia. Veronica has years of experience coordinating conventions, trade shows and fundraisers. She worked for a non-profit organization in Columbus, OH and most recently for a local fundraising Foundation.
 


Emanuel S. Adjekum, Assistant Director, Sr. Business Consultant
(305) 284-1808
e.adjekum@miami.edu

Emanuel joined the Toppel Career Center in the summer of 2011 and serves as the main liaison between the Toppel Career Center and the School of Business. In this role Emanuel provides individual advising, career-related programs, and conducts employer outreach to assist students in preparing for life after graduation. Prior to joining UM, Emanuel was a Talent Acquisition recruiter for NBC Universal’s cable networks. He also spent 5 years working in various positions for The Walt Disney Company, ESPN Inc. in Bristol, CT & NY. His career started in the Programming department and he later transitioned to Human Resources where he served as the Associate Mgr/College Recruiter for the University & Diversity relations team. Emanuel’s team was a key component in placing ESPN interns throughout the company when the groundbreaking 15-year/ $2 billion dollar contract between the (SEC) & ESPN was announced in 2008. Emanuel received his Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Oswego State University.
 


Aileen Lopez, Employer Relations Coordinator
(305) 284-8593
ailopez@miami.edu

Aileen joined the Toppel Career Center in the Fall of 2007. She is responsible for assisting the Employer Relations team, approving job postings and employer registrations through CaneZone. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management and Organization from the University of Miami. Prior to joining the Toppel team, Aileen worked as a Staff Associate for the University of Miami Football team for 6 seasons.
 
Career Development
 


Alicia Rodriguez, Director of Career Development
(305) 284-1819
alrodriguez@miami.edu

Ali has a Master of Education in College Student Personnel and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Florida. In addition to career services, she has also worked in Academic Advising and Residence Life. Ali joined the Toppel staff in July 2000 and oversees the career development area of Toppel, including career advising, career programs and workshops, and assessment testing.
 


Megan Garber, Assistant Director, Career Development & Outreach
(305) 284-1818
m.garber@miami.edu

Megan has been at Toppel since July 2005. She earned a Master of Science in Education in College Student Personnel at Purdue University while working as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Admissions. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and majored in Management. In addition to career advising and program planning, Megan supervises the Toppel Peer Advisors. She also coordinates all career programs and workshops for student groups and faculty on campus.

 


Edward Cruz, Assistant Director, Graduate Student & Alumni Programs
(305) 284-5023
ecruz2@miami.edu

Eddy joined Toppel in June of 2008. Prior to coming to UM, he worked for University Housing at University of Georgia for two years. He earned his Master of Arts in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and had an assistantship in the Career Development Center. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications from Kutztown University. Eddy's main focus is advising and planning programs for alumni and graduate students.
 


Frits Bigham, Assistant Director, Internships & Assessment
(305) 284-1809
fbigham@miami.edu
Frits received a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration at the University of Miami and Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Pennsylvania State University. In his current role, Frits is responsible for the Toppel Internship Program, as well as providing career advising for students pertaining to internships and alternative options after graduation. In addition, he is responsible for coordinating the assessment of the bi-annual graduation survey. Frits’ previous roles within the Toppel Career Center include working as an Assistant Director for Career Development and as a Graduate Assistant.
 
Student Staff
 


Thaimi Fina, Graduate Assistant

Thaimi graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and French. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Education in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Miami. As a graduate assistant at the Toppel Career Center, she critiques resumes, cover letters, and personal statements. She also conducts career development workshops for students.
 


Carly Smith, Graduate Assistant

Carly received a Bachelor of Science in Human and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Administration at UM. In her role as graduate assistant, Carly conducts career development workshops for students and alumni. She also holds walk-in advising hours where she critiques resumes, cover letters, and personal statements.
 


Oleg Ignatenko, Peer Advisor

Oleg is currently a sophmore in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Marine Biology. He is a transfer student from NJ where he attended Cumberland County College. He is certified in Graphic and Web Design but considers this subject more as a personal hobby rather than a future occupation. In reality, Oleg is looking forward to a possible summer internship that would help him choose a specific aspect of computer science that he would enjoy doing as a profession. In his free time, Oleg enjoys playing tennis, surfing and relaxing at the beach.
 


Priyanka Surio, Peer Advisor

Priyanka Surio is a proud Hurricane, ready to complete her senior year with a strong finish. She is interested in medicine and healthcare, especially from a global perspective. While she has assisted doctors with various research and clinical initiatives, both at the Miller School of Medicine and at hospitals back home, she loves to diversify herself. As a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholar, she was able to study abroad in India and learn about the culture and healthcare of a third world country amidst volunteering as an English teacher to migrant workers' children. She also helped found a South Asian interest sorority, Delta Phi Omega, this past year and currently serves on the Multiethnic Greek Council Board. Always invested in her campus, she has taken on the role of the Volunteer LINK Co-Chair, Honor Council Education Chair, and President's 100. Her favorite aspect about the Peer Advisor position is working with students and helping them land amazing opportunities.
 
 


Robert Vanisko, Peer Advisor

Robert is a sophomore from Princeton, NJ. He majors in Public Relations and History and is an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America. In the summer following his freshman year, Robert worked as a public relations intern for the Springpoint Foundation in Princeton, writing press releases and promoting their many programs. After college, he would like to go into politics and eventually manage political campaigns. Robert looks forward to enjoying his next three years at the University of Miami and taking advantage of the many opportunities the school has to offer.
 
 
 


Ashley Testa, Graphic Design Intern

Ashley is a junior majoring in creative advertising and studio art with a concentration in graphic design and a minor in marketing. She is originally from central New Jersey and hopes to return to the tri-state area after graduation. She is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Miami Commitment Program, AdGroup, and AdFed Miami. During her time at UM, Ashley has been a part of the Ibis Yearbook, the Band of the Hour, and participated in QuantUM Entertainment productions as well as Comm Week’s PhilADthropy events. She hopes to one day work as either a graphic designer or art director for a creative advertising agency with a variety of clients.
 


Mollie Spencer, Toppel Intern

Mollie is a freshman currently in the College of Arts and Sciences and is interested in psychology and advertising. She is originally from Missouri and is thoroughly enjoying the warmer weather of Miami. Mollie would like to one day work for a non-profit organization’s advertising and creative design team.
 


Stephanie Maestri, Toppel Intern

Stephanie is currently a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Biology with a double minor in Chemistry and Psychology. Stephanie was born and raised in Miami. As a new transfer student to the University, she enjoys working with the underprivileged and plans to become a part of Project Sunshine and Best Buddies here in UM. She hopes to become a Pediatric Oncologist in the future.
 


Marissa Bell, Front Desk Student

Marissa is currently a freshman in the School of Communication, majoring in Advertising and Psychology. She is originally from Cleveland, OH, and can’t wait for her first “winter” in Miami so she can brag to her friends back home. Marissa recently completed an internship in the marketing department of the Cleveland Orchestra, and is looking forward to having more exciting experiences in the future. She has no idea what she wants to be when she grows up, and is hoping the miracle workers at Toppel will help her figure it out.
 
 
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