Jessica Alonso
Employer Recruitment Coordinator
As the Employer Recruitment Coordinator at Mississippi State University, I play a vital role in connecting top talent with leading employers across a range of industries. In this position, I develop and implement strategic recruitment initiatives designed to engage top employers with the MSU student population.
With a focus on building and sustaining strong employer relationships, I coordinate a wide variety of recruitment events—including on-campus interviews, career fairs, and employer information sessions—to ensure a seamless and impactful recruiting experience for all stakeholders.
As a proud MSU graduate, I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to the university that helped shape my future, and I’m passionate about supporting its students and broader community.
Favorite Campus Spot: One of my favorite places on campus is the MSU Soccer Field, where I enjoy spending time with friends and cheering on the Dawgs.
Megan Artz
Assistant Director, Cooperative Education
Serving in the role of Assistant Director of Cooperative Education, I oversee our co-op and internship program. While on a co-op or internship, students are able to gain hands-on experience and learn about different industries. I love seeing students confirm their career paths while also growing professionally. Our employers give students the ability to to participate in real-time projects, sit in on meetings, and present to company employees. My favorite part of my job is when a student comes back from completing a co-op or internship and they’ve been offered a job with their company.
I’ve been with the Career Center in Cooperative Education for over 10 years and began as a career advisor for our engineering students seeking co-op opportunities. As an MSU alumni (’07, ’09), I love that I get to work on campus.While I started my career in vocational rehabilitation and then worked for a federal grant, my favorite aspect of those jobs was career development. I quickly realized that was were my passion was and jumped on the opportunity to work at the Career Center, the rest is history!
While students are a large proponent of my role, I also get to work with our amazing employers. Whether it’s helping new employers setting up a co-op or internship program or assisting one of our campus partners with recruitment I love sharing what great candidates our students make. Building a talent pipeline is often the reason employers choose to begin a co-op or internship program and a great benefit from having co-ops and interns. If you’re company is looking to hire MSU talent, I’d love to chat with you!
Favorite Campus Spot: Mitchell Memorial Library. As a lover of books and history I appreciate all our library has to offer and it’s such a great resource for our students. I also have great memories of staying up way too late studying for exams with friends during graduate school. Many cups of coffee have been bought from Einstein Brothers!
Caragh Boyles
Associate Director, Assessment & Internships for PSPA
Student Populations I Serve:
- Department of Political Science & Public Administration
- Washington, D.C. Internships (all majors)
As Associate Director of Assessment and Internships for PSPA I support both the MSU Career Center and the Department of Political Science and Public Administration (PSPA). Through this multifaceted position I serve as a campus contact for Washington, D.C. internships for employers and students, and as a Career Advisor for students in the PSPA Department providing guidance in the areas of resume/CV development, job/internship search assistance, career planning, and graduate school research/preparation. One of the things I enjoy most about my role at MSU is engaging students in the career development process and connecting them with relevant experiential learning opportunities.
Favorite Campus Spot: The Chapel of Memories
Payton Burns
Manager of Data & Technology
As the Manager of Data and Technology at the Mississippi State Career Center, I am primarily responsible for overseeing the First Destination survey, which tracks the career outcomes of our graduates. This crucial survey helps us understand and enhance the career success of Mississippi State students. In addition to the First Destination survey, I manage all internal data and technology needs for the Career Center including external requests while also serving as the system administrator for Connections, our career software.
As a two-time graduate of Mississippi State, I am passionate about our student population and culture and am grateful to have the opportunity to give back to the University that offered me so much. Throughout undergrad, I was heavily involved in various organizations around campus that brought me a beautiful perspective of what MSU truly stands for. Taking that passion and love for the University and combining it with my technology background has given me nothing but joy for the work that we do. With this, my goal is to leverage data and technology to drive informed decision-making and support the Career Center’s mission of providing exceptional career services to all audiences we serve.
If you’re curious just how successful our amazing student population is in finding their place after college, let’s chat!
Favorite Campus Spot: The Chapel of Memories. With all of its history and beauty, it has an iconic presence both on campus and in my life. On top of the hours spent there through college, I proposed to my wife right in front of it! It serves as a gorgeous landmark, but also a reminder of how beautiful our University is.
Toria Carter
Assistant Director of Career Exploration
Student Populations I Serve:
- Office of Academic Affairs
- Undeclared
- University Studies
- Data Science
- Applied Science
- Any student exploring different majors
Joining the MSU Career Center in January 2024, I serve as the Assistant Director of Career Exploration. In this role, I am dedicated to guiding students through the pivotal stages of their career development journey by primarily helping them to choose a major. With a strong focus on personalized career counseling, I help students identify their passions, strengths, and professional goals, empowering them to make informed decisions about their futures.
I bring with me a wealth of experience in career services from the University of Georgia, where I served as the Career Consultant for the Terry College of Business and Assistant Director of Career Diversity Programs. These roles encompassed career advising, employer relations, and program development.
I’m so excited to be back at my alma mater to help current Bulldogs create the career paths they desire. I do this by debunking some of the scary myths that come with major selection and career development. Through career assessments, the Career Planning course, or tailored workshops, I thoroughly enjoy helping students figure out their career plans.
Favorite Campus Spot: The Humphrey Coliseum. Both my dad (Greg Carter ’91) and younger brother (Tyson Carter ’20) were members of the MSU Men’s Basketball Team. Growing up my dad also served as an Assistant Coach, so I hold many fond memories in the Hump!
Lavone Cockrell
Career Advisor
Student Populations I Serve:
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Human Health)
- College of Forest Resources
- College of Veterinary Medicine
I joined the Mississippi State University Career Center in June 2022 as a Career Advisor serving students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Forest Resources (CFR). I value the opportunity to collaborate with faculty, staff, employers, and colleagues across the university to help students connect their academic experiences with meaningful career opportunities.
My professional background includes experience in higher education, public K–12 education, charter schools, and federally funded programs. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and a Master of Science in Educational Psychology. As a first-generation, non-traditional college graduate, I understand the importance of accessible guidance and supportive resources as students navigate college, career exploration, and their next steps.
As a Career Advisor, I work with students at various stages of their academic and professional journeys, providing individualized and group support in career exploration, resume and cover letter development, internship and job preparation, interviewing, networking, and graduate or professional school planning. I especially enjoy helping students build confidence, recognize their strengths, and turn their academic interests into actionable career plans.
One of the most rewarding aspects of career advising is witnessing students move from uncertainty to confidence as they identify opportunities and take ownership of their career journeys. Whether working with students in person or virtually, I strive to create a welcoming environment where they can ask questions, explore possibilities, and develop practical strategies for their next steps.
Favorite Campus Memory: Some of my favorite MSU moments happen in the fall, when the leaves are falling and the air turns cool and crisp. I enjoy seeing the campus change with the season and experiencing the energy that fills campus as students settle into the semester. Those simple moments are a reminder of what makes being part of the MSU community so special.
Katie Corban
Associate Director for Career Services and Programs
Student Populations I Serve:
- College of Veterinary Medicine
- The Graduate School
- College of Professional and Continuing Studies
- Disney College Program
As the Associate Director of Career Services and Programs, I lead the career advising staff and coordinate career programs and outreach for our MSU students. My goals are to increase student participation in events and improve the visibility of the Center and our services across campus.
As a proud alumna of Mississippi State, I bleed Maroon and White. I hold a Master’s in Student Affairs and a Bachelor’s in Communication with a Public Relations emphasis. My favorite career topic is interviewing, and I love sharing the importance of gaining experiential learning while in school. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after graduation and decided to participate in the Disney College Program, an experience I now enjoy sharing with students!
Favorite Campus Spot: My favorite campus spot while in school was the State Fountain Bakery, which was located where Moe’s now is. I was thrilled to hear that with Perry’s renovation, it will be moving back!
Leah Edwards
Administrative Assistant
As the Administrative Assistant at the Mississippi State University Career Center, I play a vital role in ensuring smooth operations and exceptional service across all Career Center functions. With a strong background in administrative coordination, I oversee front desk operations and handle communication across phone and email channels. I help support financial operations, responsible for inventory management, and I help guide student engagement through the Connections system.
I earned my Bachelor of Business Administration from Mississippi State University in 2021 and am currently working toward a Master of Science in Workforce Education Leadership. I am happy to be back on campus and serve the people who help make this place so special! I am so blessed to be part of the Career Center and work alongside some of the best coworkers!
Favorite Campus Memory: Walking across the stage to accept my Bachelor’s degree. Spring break of my junior year is when COVID-19 hit (we thought an extra week off was awesome, but then an extra week turned to months/a year!) After 3 long semesters of virtual/hybrid classes we finally got the news that we would have an in-person graduation ceremony. Lots of crazy rules and only 4 guests could be there to celebrate with you, but I will forever be thankful that we were able to have a real ceremony! MSU Class of 2021 photos are one of a kind, and we will one day have a story to tell as to why we had to wear masks at our graduation ceremony.
Brooke Hathorn
Bulldog Mentor Program & Campus Outreach Coordinator
As the Bulldog Mentor Program & Campus Outreach Coordinator at Mississippi State University, I have the privilege of connecting students with alumni, campus partners, and opportunities that help them grow both personally and professionally. I oversee the Bulldog Mentor Program, coordinate campus outreach initiatives, and develop programs that encourage students to engage with the Career Center early in their college experience. My goal is to create meaningful connections that help every student feel supported, prepared, and confident throughout their college journey and beyond.
As a Mississippi State graduate, serving my alma mater has been incredibly rewarding. For nearly 13 years, I’ve had the opportunity to support students in a variety of roles across campus, and one thing has remained constant: a passion for helping students feel connected, discover new opportunities, and make the most of their Mississippi State experience.
Favorite Campus Spot: I can’t choose just one! Humphrey Coliseum and Davis Wade Stadium are both special to me. As a second-generation Bulldog, Mississippi State has always been part of my life. My dad played a huge role in fostering my love for MSU and Bulldog athletics. From fourth grade through college, we rarely missed a basketball game at “The Hump.” After I began working at Mississippi State, we started a new tradition of attending football games together at Davis Wade Stadium. Some of my favorite memories have been cheering on the Bulldogs with my dad, and I look forward to continuing that tradition for years to come!
Ruthie Lang
Event Coordinator
I come from Orlando Florida with a Masters in Hospitality Management from UCF (Go Knights!) My family moved to Starkville in 2016 and have been here ever since. We are an MSU family through and through with my husband working just across from Montgomery Hall as an Accounting Professor in McCool Hall. It is the greatest privilege I can think of to be here on campus, working to connect our incredible students with the equally incredible employers and opportunities the Career Center works so hard to provide.
As the Event Coordinator, I oversee the logistics of the Career Center’s many events. We host a variety of events including our large multi-day Career Expo, focused college specific fairs and interview days. When our students come to these events they have the opportunity to connect with hundreds of employers and it is a privilege to be a part of bringing these opportunities to our campus. I hope to see you at our next event!
Favorite Spot on Campus: Eckies Pond. When we first moved to Starkville, we lived in faculty housing and spent a lot of time on campus. I have many memories of picnicking with my small children by the pond, watching the turtles and the fish and enjoying the history and beauty of our campus.
Bethany Mills
Executive Director
As the Executive Director of the Career Center at Mississippi State University, I lead efforts to connect students with career opportunities and foster partnerships with employers. I am passionate about ensuring accessible services for all students and guiding them towards meaningful careers. As we continue to find new and innovative ways to serve students, I look forward to continuing to partner across campus and in the community to ensure students’ career success.
While I spent over a decade of my career at the University of Georgia’s Career Center, it feels great to come back to my alma mater (’06, ’09) to support our vibrant community through career services that prioritize experiential learning and industry integration. If you’re an MSU alum or an employer looking for diverse, talented individuals, let’s connect!
Favorite Campus Spot: The Drill Field. Each time I walk across campus for a meeting, I remember my first time setting foot on the Drill Field with my Roadrunner and immediately feeling as if I was “home”. That feeling continues as I have found my work “home”.
Merrie Morgan Lovelady
Business Manager
As the Business Manager of the Career Center at Mississippi State University, I manage, coordinate, and oversee the business operations of the department, I help maintain the smooth functioning of all financial aspects within the department, including budget management, financial planning, and resource allocation, to ensure that we can provide optimal services and opportunities for student career development.
I graduated from Mississippi State in 2017 and couldn’t stay away for long! I came back to join the university in 2019 and have cherished every minute working here. I truly believe this is a special place filled with special people. The Career Center is driven by a passion for serving students, and I am so lucky to be a part of it!
Favorite Campus Spot: Dudy Noble Field. I spent countless hours at Dudy Noble while serving as a Diamond Girl throughout my college career. It also happens to be where I met my husband, who was on the MSU baseball team from ’15-’17. Dudy Noble will always hold a special place in my heart, and it’s so fun to now bring our daughter to a place that holds so many fond memories.
Daniel Morgan
Career Advisor
Student Populations I Serve:
- College of Education
- College of Arts & Sciences (Physical Sciences)
- Pre-Health | Liaison to the Health Professions Resource Center
As a Career Advisor, I believe a person’s core values and professional skill development play a prominent role in their career success and satisfaction. I thrive to help students connect with professional paths and resources to get them closer to their goals.
Through my role at the Career Center, I have the privilege of serving students within the College of Education, Physical Science majors within the College of Arts & Sciences, as well as students within Pre-Health paths. It is absolutely a thrill to work with amazing students and alumni providing resources, guidance, professional skill-development best practices, and more to help individuals recognize their own goals and vision.
From working at MSU’s campus radio station, 91.1 FM WMSV, to providing academic resources and support to Bulldog student-athletes within the Office of Athletic Academics, to my time at the Career Center, I have enjoyed every moment of being a part of the Mississippi State family.
If there is ever anything I can do to help benefit your professional journey in any way, just let me know!
Favorite Campus Building/Spot: The on-air studios of 91.1 FM WMSV. Not only did MSU’s campus radio station allow me to be surrounded by one of my biggest loves (music!), it was also where I met my future wife!
Leslie Neal
Manager of Employer Engagement & Events
With over 16 years of experience here at Mississippi State University (MSU), I’ve worn many hats in the Career Center! While my journey started with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies focused on Graphic Design in 2004, I quickly found my passion for employer engagement and student career development during my time at the Career Center. As Manager of Employer Engagement and Events, I collaborate with the Associate Director of Employer Relations and Recruiting to support our MSU Career Center Employer Partners and promote career opportunities for students. I thrive on overseeing high-visibility career development events like our Career Expo, crafting marketing strategies, and networking with employers, making every day impactful.
Earning my Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in Community College Education from MSU in 2017 has been invaluable. This degree has sharpened my ability to design effective career education initiatives and offer insightful consultations for students and employers alike. Guiding students through their career journeys and helping employers discover top talent fills me with pride and drives my commitment to MSU’s community!
Favorite Campus Building: My favorite campus building, hands down, is Critz Hall! Back in my undergraduate days, I met some incredible people at MSU – including my husband! But it was as an RA at Critz where I built lifelong friendships. Even though students nowadays jokingly call it “Crusty Critz” (which always cracks me up!), back when I was there, it had just been newly renovated. I’m truly grateful for the connections and memories made at Critz, and it will always hold a special place in my heart!
Haley Pritchard
Program Coordinator, Cooperative Education
As the Cooperative Education Program Coordinator at Mississippi State University’s Career Center, I’ve had the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by overseeing student records, and assisting students with the process of both finding a co-op or internship and ensuring that they are on the correct path with our program. I’m passionate about empowering others to reach their goals, and I take great pride in being part of an organization that shares this mission.
My journey with Mississippi State began in 2017 as a student worker, where I quickly discovered my passion for supporting students and being part of the Bulldog family. Since joining the Career Center team in 2022, I’ve had the opportunity to deepen that passion by contributing to our career services efforts and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to develop strong relationships with both employers and students, and I’ve been inspired by the countless stories of success and growth that have resulted from our collaborative efforts. I’m committed to continuing to learn and grow alongside my colleagues, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for our program and for those we serve.
Favorite Campus Spot: Davis Wade Stadium and The Junction. There’s nothing quite like a fall Saturday cheering on the Bulldogs with family and friends. Hail State!
Amy Skelton
Career Advisor
Student Populations I Serve:
- College of Architecture, Art & Design
- College of Arts & Sciences (Social Sciences)
As a Career Advisor in the MSU Career Center, it is my joy to assist students with their professional development. Through one-on-one appointments, class presentations, career fairs, and workshops, I help students with resume writing, interviewing, job searching, career fair prep, and so much more. It is my desire to meet every student where they are in their career journey – from their first steps on campus to walking across the stage at graduation- and anywhere in between.
I’ve been a member of the Career Center team since 2016, becoming a Career Advisor in 2019. Before this, I taught Kindergarten for a few years, Preschool for a few more, did medical transcription from home (working remote before “working remote” was a thing!), and then as a Counselor Assistant with the MS Department of Rehabilitation Services. While each of these work experiences varied greatly, one thing remained constant – my desire to help others. That desire is met daily through my job here at the MSU Career Center, and I am so grateful!
Favorite Campus Memory: My first Men’s Basketball game back in the ’90s! I was still in high school and went to the game with my sister and brother-in-law. Our opponent was the #1 Kentucky Wildcats, and the Hump was like nothing I had ever experienced. I can still remember how loud the boos were when Rick Pitino came onto the court! To this day, one of my favorite things to do is enjoy a game in the (newly-renovated, state-of-the-art) Humphrey Coliseum!