This episode is part of the DEI Symposium Series, developed from the DEI Symposium presented at the 2025 NCDA Global Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

In this episode Dr. Cheryl Love hosts a conversation with Shelby McIntyre about updating career development classes and workshops with relevant DEI materials and activities. The discussion focuses on integrating liberatory outcomes into career development work. Shelby McIntyre, a career counselor at Pasadena City College, explains the importance of moving beyond traditional outcomes like graduation and employment to include broader goals such as civic engagement, social agency, and critical consciousness. She shares practical examples of how to implement these concepts, addressing challenges like systemic oppression.

Dr. Cheryl Love is a Career Counselor and a College Specialist for the Arts, Humanities, School of Education and School of Public Policy in the Career Center at the University of California, Riverside. In this role she also serves as the Liaison to the African Student Programs, the Black Student Success Initiative, Basic Needs, UCR Transfer Work Group, and the Kessler Scholar Program. 

Shelby McIntyre is a career counselor at Pasadena City College. She also serves on the Board of the California Career Development Association and as a member of the NCDA Government Relations Committee.

Resource:

• Toolkit for Integrating Practices for Collective Liberation

In this podcast episode, Melissa Venable, NCDA's Director of Professional Development, co-hosts with Dr. Michael Stebleton a conversation about a new NCDA publication titled, Analyzing Current and Future Workforce Issues, Students' Perspectives on Career Development. Written by students enrolled in Dr. Stebleton's University of Minnesota course in Spring 2025, the publication explores various career development topics through the lens of graduate and undergraduate students. 

The episode features students Nathan Price, Shannon McCrady, and Kirsten Koerth, who share their experiences and insights on the writing process. The discussion also highlights the importance of integrating theory and practice, the challenges and benefits of the editing process, and the potential value of similar educational projects in the future. Key contributions and topics such as AI in career development, the role of HR in supporting LGBTQ employees, and declining male college enrollment are also examined.

Michael J. Stebleton, PhD, is a Professor of Higher Education at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. He teaches both undergraduates and graduate students in the Department of Organizational, Leadership, Policy, and Development. Contact Dr. Stebleton at: [email protected].

Nathan Price is a PhD student in the Higher Education track of the OLPD program at the University of Minnesota. I/O Psychology practitioner and founder of The Academic I/O, a platform dedicated to advancing academic leadership and workforce development through evidence-based organizational strategies.

Shannon McCrady is a graduate student at the University of Minnesota. She is pursuing a Master of Education in Human Resource Development. She also works at the University of Minnesota and lives in Minneapolis with her family.

Kirsten Koerth is an Undergraduate Programs Coordinator for Horticulture and Agronomy at the University of Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Agriculture Education master’s program in 2025. Kirsten obtained her undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College in Biology and Environmental Studies, and she grew up in Helena, Montana. Her academic interests include sustainable agriculture research and education. 

This episode is part of the DEI Symposium Series, developed from the DEI Symposium sessions presented at the 2025 NCDA Global Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Maisie and Nulty Lynch are veteran teachers and a husband and wife duo. They address the communication nuances between neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals, the significant barriers in traditional interview processes, and the importance of inclusive practices. Maisie and Nulty also advocate for creating accessible systems and intentional, empathetic communication to better support neurodivergent individuals in achieving meaningful employment.

Nulty Lynch is the English Language Arts department chair at a large public middle school and a certified autism specialist and coach. He openly shares his personal journey, including his autism and ADHD diagnoses and the challenges of masking.

Maisie Lynch is an internship coordinator and career services provider, as well as President of FutureReadyU. She discusses her experiences assisting students with neurodivergencies. 

This episode features a conversation with Dr. Erik Hines and Angie Thompson, co-chairs of the NCDA Technology Committee. They discuss their roles, experiences, and the committee's key focus areas, including the integration of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in career development. Angie recounts her journey to joining the committee and emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship. Erik highlights the significance of using technology ethically and efficiently in educational and counseling settings. The conversation also delves into the committee's vision of staying ahead of technological advancements and fostering a supportive environment for members interested in tech innovations. Listeners are encouraged to get involved and utilize the resources, demonstrations, and network opportunities offered by the committee.

Erik M. Hines, Ph.D., is a Professor of Counseling in the Department of Counseling, Leadership, and Educational Sciences within the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. Dr. Hines research agenda focuses on the postsecondary readiness and career development of Black men and boys across various contexts (P-12, community college, 4- year college/university) and critically examines how high impact programming shape their educational and career outcomes and experiences. Additionally, Dr. Hines studies the career exploration of educationally vulnerable students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). He has secured over $12.5 million dollars in research and program funding. 

Angie Thompson has worked in higher education for over two decades and currently serves as the Assistant Director of AI Education and Student Engagement at the University of Montana. A certified federal application specialist and career coach, she teaches career courses and is nationally recognized for her expertise in AI, career readiness, and federal hiring processes. She currently serves as the Co-Chair of the NCDA Technology Committee and is actively involved in the University of Montana’s AI Future Project and AI Community of Practice, where she helps shape campus-wide AI guidelines, initiatives and ethical frameworks. Angie has recently written an article on AI and, this year, will also serve on the NCDA AI Task Force and the NACE AI Content Special Interest Group. 

Resources

• Learn about the activities of all of NCDA's Committees
• NCDA's AI Resources

This episode is part of the DEI Symposium Series, developed from the DEI Symposium presented at the 2025 NCDA Global Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

In this episode, Dr. Frank Gorritz discusses the important topic of racism in the workplace as part of the 2025 DEI symposium series. Dr. Gorritz emphasizes the need to address not just individual instances of racism but also systemic issues including white supremacy culture and its covert manifestations. He highlights the impact of microaggressions on minoritized employees and introduces the Theory of Work Adjustment to explain how workplace dynamics affect these employees. Dr. Gorritz also stresses the importance of career counselors creating a safe space for clients to discuss their experiences and feelings about their workplaces. This discussion reiterates the value of addressing political, social, and identity-related issues in career counseling. Several resources are recommended for further exploration on the topic.

Frank Gorritz, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, ACS, QS is a counselor educator in Florida.

Resources

dRworksbool (2021). White supremacy culture. https://www.dismantlingracism.org/white-supremacy-culture.html

Iyer, D. (2022). Social change now: A guide for reflection and connection. Thick Press.

Jones, K. & Okun, T. (2001). Dismantling racism: A workbook for social change groups. dRworksBook.

In this podcast episode, Melissa Venable, NCDA's Director of Professional Development, interviews Dr. Sujata Ives, a private practitioner at Connect The Neuro-Dots who specializes in employment psychology. Dr. Ives discusses the influence of her worldview, shaped by her vocal cord disability and bicultural background, on her career development work. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and articulating one's worldview and provides strategies for maintaining a positive worldview amid challenges. Dr. Ives introduces concepts from her latest book, Wisdom to Know the Difference, including perspicacious intelligence, which blends sharp discernment with emotional and ethical insights. She offers actionable advice for career development professionals, such as using active and reflective listening, insight-based questions, and mindfulness practices. The episode concludes with Dr. Ives encouraging listeners to define wise leadership for themselves and integrate deep insight with ethical clarity in their professional lives.

Dr. Sujata Ives, PhD, CCC, GCDFI, OWDSI is an awarded career services leader, certified employment psychologist, and professional speaker with a distinctive voice. Through her vocal disability, she inspires as a work, life, and success Guru.

She is a pursued national and international speaker that has published three books. Activate Success – Tips, tools, & insights to be a Leader in Your Niche made the international best-selling status on Amazon and Kindle. There is a Workbook by the same title. Her second book is “Wisdom To Know The Difference”. 

Sujata is the 2025 recipient of the All-Star Award from the Maryland Counseling Association. 2023 recipient of the National Career Development Association’s (NCDA) Diversity Initiative Award. She was chosen to participate in the 2024 NCDA Leadership Academy class, where she conducted a study through a needs analysis on intercultural leadership. As a result, she wrote and published two best-selling books and a workbook. 

As a military spouse, she collaborated with military and community leaders through her nineteen moves on three different continents that gave her the opportunity to help multi-million-dollar systems. She leverages global talent to hold candid conversations regarding interculturalism and peacebuilding. In this vein, she was the 2023 recipient of the title “Global Visionary” given to her by the 6th Congress, OtroMundo, Colombia, South America.

Sujata is the Chair of the Leadership Academy of the NCDA; the Chair of the Program Committee of the APCDA; Community Coordinator of the World Council on Global & Intercultural Competency, UNESCO. 

Sujata is past president of the Maryland Career Development Association, past chair of the International Committee of the American Counseling Association. And treasurer for the Maryland Counseling Association. 

Sujata has an earned Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, is a Harvard trained Mediator, and Johns Hopkins trained in leadership and supervision. 

She has a limited private practice and can be reached for counseling and keynote-speaking at www.drsujataives.com.

Resources

• Wisdom to Know the Difference

In this episode, Elle O'Flaherty, Co-Chair of NCDA's Government Relations Committee, hosts a conversation with Emily M. Dickens, Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs, and Corporate Secretary for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the current labor market, focusing on SHRM's Education-to-Employment (E2) Initiative, designed to bridge the talent gap through collaboration among various stakeholders including schools, employers, policymakers, and career development professionals. Emily emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning, and discusses the untapped potential in diverse workforce segments such as people with disabilities and formerly incarcerated individuals. She also underscores the role of artificial intelligence and demographic shifts in shaping the future workforce.

Elle O’Flaherty, JD, PCC, CCSP, ACCG is the Founder & CEO, Interlace Solutions Coaching. She is a speaker and coach known for her science-based and hyper-practical presentations, and a pioneer in inclusive leadership and neurodiverse workforce development with a specialization in ADHD coaching. 

Emily M. Dickens, J.D., is an accomplished attorney, strategist, and senior executive at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - the world’s largest HR trade association - where she serves as Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs and Corporate Secretary. In her role, Dickens oversees SHRM’s advocacy and policy agenda, guiding the work of the “A-Team,” a 340,000-member grassroots network of HR professionals who shape workplace policy nationwide. She has executive oversight for four divisions: corporate governance, government affairs and policy, legal and administrative affairs, and the SHRM Foundation.

Resources

SHRM Toolkits

This episode kicks off a series of conversations that originated with the DEI Symposium, held at NCDA’s 2025 Global Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Dr. Cheryl Love leads a panel discussion of the challenges and strategies for providing career services amid today's social and political turmoil. The panel - including Dr. Natasha Barnes-Gwynn, Dr. Frank Gorritz, and Ruben Britt - shares insights into the impact of the current political and social climate on career development. The discussion emphasizes the importance of wellness, cultural competence, empathy, and advocacy for minoritized communities. The speakers also highlight the role of career counselors as frontline responders, providing not just career advice but also emotional and psychological support to their students and clients. The episode concludes with a call to action for practitioners to join the NCDA's Diversity Initiative and Cultural Inclusion (DICI) committee and contribute to the ongoing movement for social justice and equity in career development.

Dr. Cheryl Love is a Career Counselor and a College Specialist for the Arts, Humanities, School of Education and School of Public Policy in the Career Center at the University of California, Riverside. In this role she also serves as the Liaison to the African Student Programs, the Black Student Success Initiative, Basic Needs, UCR Transfer Work Group, and the Kessler Scholar Program. 

Dr. Natasha Barnes-Gwynn, CCC, NCC, FCD-I is a Clinical Professor at Southern New Hampshire University. She also serves as a career consultant through her private practice, Increasing Our Understanding (I.O.U.) Consultation, LLC. Dr. Barnes-Gwynn is a newly appointed board member for the Council of Accreditation and Related Educational Programs.

Dr. Frank Gorritz FitzSimons, LPC, is a counselor educator in Florida. He is a nationally recognized scholar and counselor educator on topics including providing affirmative counseling care to queer and transgender communities of color, providing multicultural supervision, utilizing diverse approaches to counseling work, as well as addressing and disrupting white supremacy in counselor education. 

Ruben Britt, Jr. is an educator, author, lecturer, and nationally certified career counselor with over 49 years of experience in education as both a teacher and career planning counselor. A nationally recognized expert on career coaching and educational issues, Ruben has served as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Education, the Educational Testing Service, the New Jersey Department of Higher Education, and several colleges and community organizations. 

Resources

• NCDA's DICI Committee
• DEI Symposium 2026 - Proposal Submissions Form
• NCDA Social Justice Resources

In this episode Allie Remm and Jody Burum discuss how you can transform your classroom and workshop presentations by moving away from traditional PowerPoint slides. Jody, with 25 years in career services, explains the disconnect she observed with traditional PowerPoint presentations and her transition to a more engaging method based on brain-based counseling insights. This approach involves interactive handouts and activities that prioritize student engagement and memory retention. Both Allie and Jody share their successes and challenges in implementing this method, offering practical advice and encouraging others to experiment with this student-centered approach.

Allie Remm works in Career and Employment Services at Central Community College and is a NCDA Certified Career Services Provider. With five years of experience in higher education, she supports students in becoming confident, capable professionals. Her favorite part of working in Career Services is working with a wide range of students and local employers. Holding a master’s degree in English, Allie’s humanities background informed her roundtable presentations on transferable skills for humanities majors at both the 2025 Sigma Tau Delta Convention and the 2025 NCDA Global Conference. She is also the recipient of the New Professional at a Two-Year College Award from ACPA: Commission for Two-Year Colleges.

Jody Burum brings over 20 years of experience in Student Affairs, providing direct career counseling and leading campus-wide advising initiatives. As a Senior Career Counselor, she co-manages Fresno State’s Career Everywhere program, promoting inclusive career development through a network of Career Champions. Jody also serves as the liaison for undeclared and major-transitioning students, collaborating with academic counselors to guide career exploration. She supervises Career Coaches and Peer Mentors, building a strong student support team. A Certified Career Services Provider, Global Career Development Facilitator, and Strong Interest Inventory Practitioner, Jody empowers students to make informed, lifelong career decisions and succeed academically and professionally.

Resources

Click to open and download the handouts discussed in this episode.

• Career Discussion - Template
• Career Discussion - Resume
• Career Discussion - Interview  

In this episode Erica Mattison and Mike Wysocki discuss their work and insights on career readiness. Erica Mattison, an executive coach and author, integrates narrative assessment and strengths-based coaching in her approach, while hosting her own podcast. Mike Wysocki, also an author, discusses his upcoming book, which reports on career readiness insights gathered from college students. The conversation highlights the significance of developing soft skills, such as public speaking and teamwork, which are often overlooked in traditional education. Mike shares his journey and his passion for understanding job satisfaction, leading him to interview professionals for his books. Erica and Mike also reflect on the shifting focus of educational institutions towards better preparing students for the workforce, underscoring the importance of career exploration courses and involvement from career professionals.

Mike Wysocki is a speaker and author focusing on career readiness. Wysocki published the two-time award-winning and Amazon best-selling book, Careers By the People: Candid Career Advice from 101 Experienced Professionals. It got rave reviews from Forbes and Kirkus Reviews. Moreover, Careers By the People received endorsements from educators of Harvard, Stanford, UMass, Northeastern, Boston University, Alcorn State, Western Kentucky, UHawaii and many more. Wysocki produced over 120 YouTube videos on career readiness and built a Udemy course. Wysocki has spoken at Boston University, UMass, Hawaii Pacific University, Suffolk University, UNH, Cal State University and many more colleges and high schools. Also, Wysocki has spoken at ACTE Hawaii, ACTE Alabama, ACTE Region V and Maui Economic Development Board’s STEMWorks.

• Website: www.careersbythepeople.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-wysocki/
• YouTube Channel @careersbythepeople
• Email: [email protected]

Erica Mattison is an executive coach, speaker, and author who supports organizations and professionals to strengthen direction, sharpen focus, and achieve lasting impact. Drawing on her background in sustainability and social impact, she works with leaders and teams to enhance effectiveness, navigate change, and build thriving workplace cultures. For individuals, she provides career coaching and development support, helping professionals clarify goals, build confidence, and move forward with intention. Erica is the author of Clarifying What Matters: Creating Direction for Your Career and host of the Conversations with Erica podcast, where she explores themes of purpose, leadership, and growth. Her approach integrates narrative assessment and strengths-based coaching to foster clarity, resilience, and meaningful progress. A certified career coach and Master Certified Life Coach, Erica holds degrees in psychology (BA), public administration (MPA), and law (JD), and has supported thousands of professionals across higher education, government, nonprofits, and mission-driven businesses.