Aixa Kidd
Lewis-Sebring Executive Director
With over twenty years of experience in higher education administration and instruction, I am thrilled to lead the Loeb Center for Career Exploration and Planning. I joined the team in February 2026 as the Lewis-Sebring Executive Director, where I focus on developing innovative and effective career education programs for our Mammoths.
Through self-reflection, alumni and employer connections, and hands-on internships, I want Amherst students to explore their career interests in a brave space, gaining the knowledge necessary to sustain their professional growth long after graduation.
Prior to joining Amherst, I served as the deputy director of the Center for Career Exploration at Brown University. There, I focused on cultivating meaningful connections between students, alumni, parents, and friends of the university to foster mentorship and career guidance. My background also includes managing alumni relations at Clark University and serving as the assistant dean of students at The Boston Conservatory. Throughout my career, the common thread has always been a dedication to community engagement.
I earned my Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College (you will find polar bears tucked throughout my office!) and my Master of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina–Greensboro. Modern dance and musical theater remain lifelong passions, as do traveling and film. I am always happy to trade TV recommendations or discuss my love for Sondheim at any time. Above all, I am most proud of my two amazing children and love exploring the world with them.
I believe the college experience should be both meaningful and transformational, and I strive to create a dynamic, supportive environment for every student’s professional success.
Richard Aronson
Senior Health Professions Advisor
From my student days at Amherst, I’ve had a deep passion to reflect, explore, experience, and work to promote healing and the health of people and communities. What’s the real meaning of health, of healing? What makes for a healthy community, and how can we make a difference? For those who are interested in any health profession, we offer many ways to explore and pursue your aspirations, and to put into practice your ideals. What steps does one take to make these aspirations come alive? I am here to stimulate such conversation and help you in your journey.
At Amherst, I majored in religion, led the Amherst Amigos, and helped found the Amherst ABC Program. My medical and public health school education (Rochester and North Carolina) led me to a multifaceted in pediatrics, public service, public health, teaching, and mentoring. I strive to inspire a new generation of health professionals.
Amari Brown
Program Director, Traub Careers in Business & Finance
As Program Director for Traub Careers in Business and Finance, I support Amherst students as they explore and prepare for careers in finance, consulting, and the broader business landscape. Through advising, programming, and experiential learning, I help students build self-understanding, develop sound professional judgment, and pursue careers aligned with their long-term goals.
Prior to joining Amherst College, I gained experience across management consulting, investment banking, and strategy-focused roles. I spent over four years at Accenture supporting post-M&A integration and value creation work across large organizations. In addition, I gained hands-on investment banking deal experience through a Master of Business Administration (MBA) summer internship—supporting a sell-side transaction involving a private equity–backed company and buyer. These experiences inform how I help students understand how organizations operate and demystify business and finance careers.
I hold an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, with concentrations in Corporate Finance, Investment Banking, and Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Morehouse College. I also bring experience in education and mentorship, Including teaching in K–12 settings and coaching student-athletes, which shapes my student-centered advising approach.
As a native of Western Massachusetts, I’m excited to return and contribute to the community that shaped my path. I’m committed to expanding access, building confidence, and helping students define their “why” as they pursue meaningful careers.
Carla Costa
Program Director, Careers in Arts and Communication
As the Program Director for Careers in Arts and Communication, I support students interested in entertainment, visual/performing/literary arts, journalism and writing, museums and libraries, marketing, publishing, strategic communications, and media. Through our work together, students identify their big picture ambitions, set personal and professional goals, and design career pathways that combine rigor, creativity and curiosity. I’m a first-generation college student and the child of immigrants, so I’m especially invested in ensuring that students from all backgrounds connect with meaningful leadership and learning opportunities.
I received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and returned to western Massachusetts after a decade of work as a freelance arts & culture writer and leader of community-based arts organizations. I hold a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Columbia University Teachers College and spent seven years at Hampshire College, where I was the director of two interdisciplinary arts programs.
Carolyn (Margolin) Estes
Program Director, Careers in Science & Technology
As the Program Director for Careers in Science and Technology, I work with faculty, staff, and students to identify and serve the needs of Amherst students and alumni as they prepare for the next step of their academic and professional careers. Together with my colleagues, I am working to forge new collaborations with workforce partners in the science and technology fields and expose students to possible career opportunities across the spectrum of STEM.
I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University. After completing my undergraduate degree, I spent a year as part of Northeastern University’s East/West Marine Biology Program (now the Three Seas Program) exploring a wide variety of topics related to the ocean realm. I earned a doctorate in Marine Biology and Fisheries from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science for my research examining the interactive effects of water flow rate, light level, and ocean acidification on the survival and growth of cnidarians. Prior to coming to Amherst, I spent six and a half years at Miami Dade College as a coordinator and then director of various STEM grants aimed at assisting underrepresented students in their pursuit of degrees in these fields. Through my grant work and in my role as an adjunct professor, I found a true passion for helping students find their path and assisting them in discovering opportunities for growth and learning.
In my free time, I enjoy singing, baking delicious treats, and dancing (anything from waltz to salsa and everything in between).
Shannan Fields
Associate Director of Communications
As the Associate Director of Communications of the Loeb Center, I strive to ensure that all students are able to easily access the Loeb Center’s resources, events, and announcements. I collaborate with the Loeb Center staff and the wider Amherst community to strategically develop diverse digital and print projects. I continuously search for more creative, efficient, and effective ways to communicate with the Amherst student body, always aiming to engage and inform.
I began my marketing career at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts before lending my skills to the social justice organization YWCA Hartford Region. Most recently, I was the advertising and research manager at Springfield College. I earned my Associate of Arts in Graphic Design from Tunxis Community College, my Bachelor of Science in Communication Media and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Fitchburg State University, and my Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Springfield College.
Contact me if you would like to work together on any projects. Also, follow us on Instagram.
Justin Goot
Career Advisor
As a Career Advisor at the Loeb Center for first- and second- year students, I support early career exploration and programming through one-on-one appointments, workshops, and specialty events throughout the year. In addition, I also serve as the primary point of contact for students in the Meiklejohn Fellows Program, an initiative designed to support first generation and/or low-income students secure internship opportunities and funding.
Before coming to Amherst, I previously worked as an Assistant Director within the Office of Career Success at the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. I have also worked as a Career Coach in the College of Arts & Sciences at Cornell University. I graduated as a history and government major from Connecticut College and earned my master’s degree in higher education administration from Stony Brook University.
I am so excited to be back at Amherst, where I met my wife here at Valentine Hall over a decade ago. In my free time, I love playing poker and games with my friends and enjoy hiking with my wife and our dog, Apollo. I am also a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan. Go Birds!
Joy Hermansen
Associate Director, Employer and Alumni Engagement
I connect new employers and graduate admissions contacts with the Loeb Center and cultivate relationships with alumni to expand internship and job opportunities for Amherst students. My role includes management of the Alumni-in-Residence program, a signature event hosting multiple alumni experts on campus each year to help students explore possibilities, build relationships, and get real-world advice.
I have had a wide range of career experiences, beginning my career as a litigator before transitioning to work in the nonprofit sector and finally entering the higher education industry. I worked in alumni relations and development at my alma mater, Trinity University, in San Antonio, Texas, and executive education at Smith College. I earned my bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from Trinity University and my Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center.
A native Texan, I moved to western Massachusetts in fall 2020. In my spare time, I love to pet all the dogs, read nonfiction, cheer for the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Astros, and San Antonio Spurs, and sing karaoke at every opportunity.
Sarah Knowles
Associate Director for Operations and Employer Relations
At the Loeb Center, my role’s focus is split between external-facing employer relations and our Center’s internal operations. On the employer relations side, I work closely with employers, alumni, and graduate admissions contacts to develop mutually-beneficial networks and cultivate meaningful opportunities and events for Amherst students. On the operations side, I work closely with my colleagues to devise, improve, and project manage various processes, such as teamwide annual event planning, and I liaise between our team and key software vendors to stay up to date on industry trends and training needs. As part of this work, I also supervise the Loeb Center’s administrative associate, our assistant director for event management and special projects, and a team of Employer Engagement student interns.
Before coming to Amherst College, I held conference planning and project management roles at Pearson Education, New York Law School, and Random House Publishing Group. I hold a master’s degree in publication management from Drexel University in addition to my bachelor’s in English/communications from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
I grew up in western Massachusetts and have enjoyed returning to my roots after a 10-year stint in Philadelphia and New York City. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading and writing fiction, honing my cooking skills, and dabbling in various creative arts.
Emily Moreau
Director of Operations and External Engagement
As Interim Executive Director of the Loeb Center for Career Exploration and Planning at Amherst College, I provide leadership for a best-in-class career services team committed to promoting the value of a liberal arts education. Since joining Amherst in 2015, my work has centered on responding to the evolving landscape of how students explore, pursue, and navigate careers.
I oversee strategic planning, development, and process improvement to support the long-range vision and infrastructure that enable the Loeb Center to achieve its key objectives and goals. My experience also includes employer engagement, alumni relations, and campus recruiting, along with in-depth knowledge of the Center’s core operational areas: financial management, talent development, communications, and technology and data management. A creative thinker by nature, I am especially energized by opportunities to introduce new ideas and processes that enhance the student, alumni, and employer experience.
Above all, I believe in the power of a team-first mindset and in creating spaces where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.
Marcela Murillo Robinson
Assistant Director for Data Analytics and Operations
As the Assistant Director for Data Analytics and Operations, I use data analytics to support the strategic goals of the Loeb Center. By sourcing, analyzing, and reporting on data, I deliver actionable insights to the leadership team and provide operational support to the larger Loeb Center team. As part of the operations team, I manage and support multiple business operations, including supporting financial processes and the implementation of platforms and resources. Additionally, I serve as the project manager for the Sophomore Summit initiative and am a commissioned notary public for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Prior to joining the operations team, I was part of the Charles Hamilton Houston Internship Program at the Loeb Center where I provided logistical and operational support. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
In my spare time, I enjoy practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with my family.
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If you need notary services, please schedule an appointment with Marcela, a notary public.
How to prepare for your notary appointment:
- Please don’t sign or date the document (documents must be signed and dated in the presence of a Notary)
- Make sure you have all the pages of the document(s) being signed, not just the signature page
- Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (issued driver’s license or ID, green card, or passport)
- Please make sure to print out the documents that you need to have notarized.
Micah Owino
Program Director, Careers in Social Impact
Micah Owino leads the social impact advisory in the Loeb Center for Career Exploration and Planning, where he generates opportunities for Amherst students thinking about purpose-driven vocations that instill a commitment to public service and deep community engagement. His fifteen years of theoretical and practical experience in the impact space lays the foundation for student career advising in local, state, and federal government agencies, as well as in grassroots nonprofits, public benefit startups, foundations, think tanks, and grantmaking institutions.
Micah graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor’s in economics, after which he worked in various D.C. non-profits (AARP, APA), before securing a master’s degree in urban policy and administration from Brooklyn College, where he founded an action-tank that advocated for the welfare of young adults during the 2008 recession. In New York, he worked for a state senator, in city housing, at the Brooklyn Public Library, and in myriad workforce development programs. Micah also delved into public and private sustainability consulting and teaching before returning to career counseling at Amherst.
Ann Rea
Assistant Director, Event Management and Special Projects
As the Assistant Director for Event Management and Special Projects, I am responsible for the planning and execution of over 250 career exploration events and immersive learning opportunities throughout the academic year, including the multi-day Sophomore Summit. I lead cross-functional event coordination efforts, cultivate strong relationships with external vendors and campus partners, and develop technical processes and data management systems to ensure seamless event execution and alignment with institutional best practices and policies. Additionally, I work closely with Loeb Center leadership to manage emerging initiatives and special projects related to events and programs.
Prior to joining the Loeb Center, I managed events for over 20 years—as the Education Administrator and Facility Rental Manager at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, and as a Conference Manager at Lesley University. Outside of work, I enjoy yoga, woodworking, sourdough baking, and being with loved ones.
Yasmeen Reyes
Administrative Associate
As the Administrative Associate, I will be the first point of contact for students, employers, and everyone in between when they enter the Loeb Center. My goal is to provide a welcoming and warm environment during what might be a stressful time in a student’s life.
I have an Associate of Science in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics from Holyoke Community College, which fuels my interest in learning more about the cybersecurity field. In the future, I hope to further my education in the cybersecurity sector.
Out of work, I have a myriad of hobbies. I enjoy reading fiction books geared toward the fantasy, romance, and murder mystery genres. I also enjoy playing video games on multiple gaming platforms, knitting scarves and cowls, and building mechanical keyboards. I have learned many skills through my varied hobbies, including soldering!
I am excited to be part of the Amherst College community and to grow professionally and personally with the Loeb Center team.
Emilia Shaw
Career Education Specialist
As the Career Education Specialist, I support the early career programs team by managing the operations of the Charles Hamilton Houston Internship Program, the Meiklejohn Fellows Program and coordinate other Loeb Center internship funding initiatives. I also serve as the main point of contact with campus partners in matters related to summer funding, funds management, and stipend allocation for these programs. In addition to these responsibilities, I co-supervise the student Peer Leaders and contribute to the early career programs team’s broader efforts through advising and workshop facilitation.
As a first-generation American and the first in my family to attend college, I understand how vital mentorship and support are in navigating the career exploration process. My goal is to help students engage in internship experiences with confidence, free from financial barriers, and with a clearer sense of the possibilities ahead.
Before coming to Amherst (and Western Massachusetts), I worked in the performing arts industry in New York City as an actor and stage manager while attending the Atlantic Acting School Conservatory. I earned my associate’s degree in liberal arts from Holyoke Community College and my bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in human resources from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, making art, telling jokes, and spending time with loved ones.
Robert Siudzinski
Program Director, Careers in Education Professions
I am passionate about cultivating effective and caring teachers, creative collaborations among diverse partners, and helping learners realize the educational value in exploring beyond their comfort levels. Through the generosity of Chuck Lewis ’64 and Penny Sebring, Ph.D., I serve as the principal resource for Amherst College students and alumni considering and planning careers in education, including teaching, administration, research, technology, and policy. Through seminars, treks, advising, and internships, I also work with the selective Ed Pros Fellowship students.
Previous contributions include creating a leadership development program at The College of Charleston, developing a global teaching program at Washington College, and launching an innovative engineering course for NASA. I have been researching experiential learning since the early 1990’s, and place-based learning since 2001. Ongoing work with the National Park Service involves the preparation of teachers and informal educators with place-based pedagogies and curricula within K-16 learning environments.
Emily Tareila
Program Director, Early Career Programs
In my role as the Program Director for Early Career Programs, I provide leadership and long-term vision for the Charles Hamilton Houston Internship Program and Meiklejohn Fellows Program along with other Loeb Center initiatives that center first- and second-year students. I design and implement programming that supports students in early career exploration as well as the internship search, preparation, and reflection process while enthusiastically leading the early career programs team. I have a student-centered, strengths-based approach to advising and believe that every experiential learning opportunity can provide meaningful insight in our life and career journeys.
I’ve worked in the Loeb Center at Amherst since 2019 and especially love spending time at Frost, the Bird Sanctuary and Book + Plow Farm. Previously, I worked in career development and academic advising at California College of the Arts in San Francisco, California. My practice as a socially-engaged artist greatly informs my work in higher education; my projects focus on themes of belonging, sustainability, and embodied learning in order to find joy and purpose in day to day life. I’ve been an artist-in-residence at Google and at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst College of Natural Sciences. I’ve also completed the Stanford Life Design Studio for university educators and a Creative Leadership certificate from IDEO. I received a BA with a concentration in visual arts from Bennington College and an MFA in visual arts from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
I’m an avid home cook, gardener, and reader, and am curious about just about everything.
Becca Tishler
Program Director, Careers in Health Professions
Working closely with the Health Professions Advisor, I support students and young alumni throughout their time at Amherst as they consider or pursue health-related career paths. This includes, among other things, managing the application process for those applying to medical, dental, veterinary, physician assistant, public health, or other graduate schools. I also support the various pre-health student organizations, and help to coordinate events and programming of interest to the pre-health community at Amherst. I’m particularly interested in the medical humanities and the insights into health, illness, the body, and the mind made possible by interdisciplinary approaches.
I graduated from Mount Holyoke College with an academic focus in 20th-century American literature and received a Master of Philosophy from the University of Cambridge. Prior to coming to Amherst, I worked as a copyeditor, bookseller, and on a women-run, organic vegetable farm; outside of work, you’ll find me continuing to do much of the same.
Donnell Turner
Director of Inclusive Career Development
As the Director of Inclusive Career Development at the Loeb Center, I work closely with our career communities and advising team to make sure all students—especially those who are still exploring—have the support they need to move forward with clarity and confidence.
I lead programs and initiatives designed specifically for undecided juniors and seniors, as well as Meiklejohn Fellows in their final two years. Whether you’re figuring out your next steps, facing a tough job market, or thinking about pivoting in a new direction, I’m here to help you build on your strengths and move toward a meaningful career.
Before coming to Amherst, I spent over 20 years in higher education and career development. I earned degrees in biblical and theological studies and Christian education at Wheaton College, where I also completed a master’s in educational ministries. I’m a certified Global Career Development Facilitator and a Designing Your Life Coach—which just means I’m passionate about helping people imagine, design, and pursue lives that reflect who they are and what matters most.
Victoria Wilson
Director of Career Education Strategy/Pre-Law Advisor
I provide career education expertise, research, and analysis to drive various projects, initiatives, and programs that aid the Loeb Center in pursuing long-range strategic objectives and align with institutional and organizational goals. As a member of the leadership team, I serve as a thought partner and advisor across a range of topics, identify and help plan staff professional development and training opportunities, and participate in developing organizational policy. In addition to my Director of Career Education Strategy role, I am pleased to serve as the office’s dedicated pre-law advisor, supporting students and alumni in achieving their goals of attending law school and joining the legal profession.
I joined the Loeb Center team in 2016 and have held various student-facing positions in the office. Before coming to Amherst College, I worked at Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas, for five years as, first, Special Assistant to the President and finally the Dean of the Work Program. There, I discovered my passion for advising and supporting students during their transition to the next exciting phase of their lives post-graduation.
I am a Tar Heel, born and bred. I received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Masters in Public Policy from Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. Outside work, I am an avid reader, history buff, and creative writer.