Meet the OCE Team

As Executive Director, Career Education at Arcadia University, Marissa leads a team to develop, plan and implement programs to address the career planning and educational needs of undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni.  Additionally, Marissa provides institutional leadership in all aspects of career education, including overseeing the development of a campus career ecosystem and relationships with employers to enhance employment and internship opportunities for Arcadia students and alumni.

Dr. Cynthia Nichols has been called a “career architect” because she is dedicated to helping students build their career plans brick by brick. She is the Associate Director of Career Education at Arcadia University, who also has 10 years of Human Resources (HR) experience. Her HR background provides her with a foundation for educating Arcadia’s students and alumni on the secrets of effectively navigating the career planning process, from the employers’ perspective. Dr. Nichols earned her doctorate degree in education from, Arcadia University in August 2023.

In addition, Dr. Nichols is an adjunct professor who developed the ID 125, 2-credit course titled “Design Your Career”. She enjoys teaching the 7-week ID 125 course twice each semester. The class empowers all levels of undergraduate students in defining and achieving their professional goals. For more information, search for ID 125 in Self-service.

As the Associate Director, Employer Engagement Janet is the main point of contact for employer engagement  In this role she fosters new and sustains established relationships with organizations, alumni and stakeholders of Arcadia University.  Her background in education and recruiting provides her with a strong foundation to communicate with employers and the ability to connect and support students.

As Associate Director for Student Employment, Jennifer oversees the operation of the Student Employment program here at Arcadia University. As a former student employee for the university Jennifer is dedicated to improving the student employment experience and increasing the career readiness outcomes of the many hard working Knights.

BreAnna is an Arcadia Alumn, who worked at the Office of Career Education during all four years as an undergraduate before stepping into the interim Administrative Assistant role. From there she became the first Career Coordinator with the OCE and has now moved to the Assistant Director of Student Employment role. She is excited to continue her journey as a Knight!

Alexandra Salamone serves as the Events and Operations Manager for Arcadia University within the Division of Student Success. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Belmont University in 2021. Alexandra is passionate about academia and helping students succeed, previously serving as a resident assistant, university ambassador, and alumni relations associate during her time in undergraduate studies.