Life Design Lab Staff

At the heart of The Life Design Lab (LDL) located in the Imagine Center, our dedicated team is passionate about helping students unlock their full potential and explore what is possible.

We are here to empower all students, regardless of major, year, and social capital, to explore a myriad of exciting career and life paths, fostering an environment where curiosity and ambition thrive. Our mission is, not only to facilitate learning, but also to provide invaluable connections and mentorship within their chosen field, bridging the gap between education, immersive experiences, and real-world opportunities. Let’s embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, skill-building, and networking that will pave the way for your future success together!

Find Your Educator to Connect:

Eric Mason (KSAS – Humanities)
Eric Spiegel (WSE-Computer Science )
Lemoine Joseph (KSAS – Biological, Physical & Natural Sciences)
Keira Wilson (KSAS – Public Health)
Sarah Connelly (WSE – AMS & Civil Engineering)
Emily Murphy (WSE- Chemical, Mechanical, & Biomedical Engineering)
Rickie Eatherly (KSAS-Brain Sciences)
Ashley Schantz (Senior Director, Undergraduate Education)

Laura Fajin-Riveiro (AAP)
Caitlin Broccoli (WSE Masters Students & Engineering for Professionals)
Sylvia (Xiaowen) Chen (Advanced Academic Programs)
Yasir Kurt (Director – Graduate Educators)

Aiyana Hamilton (Center for Student Success)
Andrea Wiseman (WSE – First Year Experience)
Antonio Boone (Student Athletes)
Valerie Maynor (Leadership Engagement and Experiential Development)
Beatriz Gutierrez-Malagon (KSAS-First Year Experience)
Ashley Adams (Sr. Director, Life Design, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)

Matthew Golden

Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate and Masters Life Design

Matthew, a native Connecticuter (some would say “Nutmegger”), is a problem-solving creative who loves collaborative efforts, healthy competition and finding ways to support and serve others. Having spent time as a professional musician while leading a team of marketing and communications professionals, as well as a multimedia producer while serving former NFL players in their transition to life after football, Matthew has lived and continues to love the principles of design thinking and exploring wildly varied opportunities. He has guided teams in higher education through organizational change and experienced success developing brand identities across industries. If Matthew could tell his college-self anything, he would encourage him to pay less attention to which doors are open and which are closed down the hallway, and more to the quality and direction of the immediate next step.

Connect with Matthew on Twitter: @matthewagolden

Contact

Email: matthewgolden@jhu.edu
X (formerly Twitter): @matthewagolden

Antonio Boone

Assistant Director of Life Design, Student Athletes

My name is Antonio Boone, and I am from Suffolk, VA. I received my B.A. in Communications from Virginia Wesleyan University where I also competed as a track and field athlete. I had dreams of obtaining a career as a TV personality but when those dreams did not come true, I landed in the field of higher education. I have worked in many different areas of higher ed such as campus events, admissions, residence life and athletics. I have a passion for working with student- athletes and helping them find out what their life looks like outside of sports. This passion led me to obtaining my M.S. in Sport Management from Georgia Southern University in 2023. While working full time in higher ed I also served as a collegiate track and field coach and recruiting coordinator. When I am not working you can find me working out, going to concerts and sporting events, buying shoes, or still trying to find a way to make it on the big screen.

Contact

Email: aboone25@jh.edu
LinkedIn: @antonio-boone-m-s-084033260

Caitlin Broccoli

Associate Director of Life Design: WSE Masters Students & Engineering for Professionals

Caitlin is from Bel Air, MD and moved back after being in Rhode Island for the last decade. She is an educator, strategic workforce development professional, and Life Design Educator with varied experience in higher education, healthcare, and non-profit management but her favorite role is “mom” to two little boys.

Prior to Hopkins, Caitlin served as the Education & Workforce Director with the Fort Meade Alliance where she was a liaison between executives in the technology and national defense sector and the education system to strategically develop workforce pipeline initiatives. Additionally, she has designed programs for engineering students at the University of Maryland College Park and created curricular and co-curricular experiential education programs for public health students at the University of Rhode Island. If Caitlin could tell her undergraduate-self anything, it would be that it is to be ok when things don’t go as you planned because it’s ultimately leading you to where you will go.

Caitlin’s Fun Facts:

She earned a BA in Psychology and a MS in Human Development from the University of Rhode Island where she was also a Division 1 swimmer
She loves to travel, camp, hike, and be by the beach
She has travelled to 11 countries

Please visit the Life Design Lab Drop In Hours Monday-Thursday 1-5pm in the Imagine Center and meet with any Life Design Educator for resume and cover letter reviews, and questions regarding searching for jobs and internships.

Meet with me in the Imagine Center or Virtually on Thursdays between 1-3pm EST or Schedule a time to meet

Contact

Email: cbrocco4@jhu.edu
LinkedIn: @caitlinbroccoli26

Sylvia (Xiaowen) Chen

Assistant Director Life Design, Advanced Academic Programs

Sylvia (Xiaowen) Chen is originally from Beijing, China and brings a unique interdisciplinary background to her work in education. She holds an M.S. in Telecommunications and Computers from George Washington University, an M.S.Ed. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. in Multicultural and Multilingual Education from George Mason University.

Before joining the Life Design Lab, Sylvia served as a research assistant and project coordinator on two large-scale, grant-funded projects focused on multilingual learners in K–12 STEM education. She has also worked as a program assistant supporting over 1000 international students at George Mason University. She taught both English and Chinese in various community and university settings. Her research and practice center on educational equity, intercultural competence, and student-centered pedagogy.

Fun Facts: Sylvia has two Pomeranian dogs and loves spending time with them. She enjoys cooking and eating, especially Chinese food, and has a passion for traveling and experiencing different cultures.

Contact

Email: xchen343@jhu.edu

Sarah Connelly

Associate Director of Life Design: AMS, CaSE, & EHE

Sarah (she/her) serves as the Life Design Educator for undergraduate students majoring in Applied Mathematics & Statistics, Civil & Systems Engineering, and Environmental Health & Engineering. She joined the Life Design Lab team in September 2021 and has co-facilitated a variety of opportunities for students to explore their interests, build their networks, develop professional skills, and navigate the job & internship search process.

Contact

Email: sconne10@jhu.edu
LinkedIn: @sarah-connelly-b879a8221

Kim Cosler

Associate Director of Employer Engagement

Kim is from Silver Spring, MD, went to Springbrook high school, and studied Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University in Illinois. She started her career working on the bench in biotech. Prior to joining the Life Design Lab, Kim worked with regional employers to create flexible, progressive opportunities for underrepresented high school and college students.

If there was one thing she could tell her undergraduate-self, it would be to take advantage of every opportunity college has to offer and never let fear of failure stop you!

When not at work, she likes to spend time at the beach.

Fun Fact:

This is my third time working at JHU! First, as a research technician at the School of Medicine. Later in the School of Medicine Human Resources department recruiting technicians for the research labs. And now at Homewood working in employer engagement!

Contact

Email: kcosler1@jh.edu
LinkedIn: @kim-cosler

Ashley A. Culbreath Ph.D

Sr. Director, Life Design

Dr. Ashley A. Culbreath is a senior-level higher education administrator with a progressive record of more than 15 years of experience in providing vision, leadership, and direction in high-impact student engagement programs and services that support student retention and graduation. She most recently served as the senior director of student affairs at The Pennsylvania State University’s World Campus, where she designed, developed, and led a team of student affairs professionals across multiple functional areas including student engagement, student leadership programs, student clubs, and organizations, career services, mental health services, student conduct, and equity, inclusion, and advocacy. She is from E. St. Louis, IL, and earned her BA in Sociology from Truman State University, MA in Sociology from DePaul University, and Ph.D. from Saint Louis University.

If Ashley could tell her undergraduate self anything it would be, “Your sociology major will absolutely pay off!”

Fun Facts:

I love watching medical & police procedural dramas.
I’ve seen every show Dick Wolf has ever produced.
I’m a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and through this work, I’m committed to the advancement of women in all endeavors.
I’m a huge baseball fan. Go Cardinals!

Contact

Email: aadams86@jhu.edu

Laura Fajin-Riviero

Assistant Director of Life Design: AAP

Laura is originally from Santiago de Compostela, a small town in Galicia, Spain and graduated with a BA in English Linguistics and Literature from Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, but completed the fourth year of the program at Gothenburg University, in Sweden. In 2021 she graduated with an M.F.A. in Illustration Practice from The Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore. In Sweden, Laura worked as a Teacher of Spanish as a Second Language and as a freelancer. In the US, she worked as an Art Educator and as an Art Studio Manager.

If Laura could tell her undergrad/masters level self anything it would be that you are going to live in many places, meet lots of people from different backgrounds, and feel unsure at times, but you are going to enjoy the ride.

Fun Fact about Laura: She can speak four languages: Galician, Spanish, English, and Swedish!

Contact

Email: lfajinr1@jh.edu
Website: laurariveiro.com
LinkedIn: @laura-fajn-riveiro-374835205
X (formerly Twitter): @riveiro_la

Ciara Flowers

Assistant Director of Internship Programs

Ciara is a bona fide Marylander who loves crab legs and judges anyone who doesn’t – including her amazing husband, whom she has traveled the world with (eight countries and counting)! Before joining JHU, Ciara facilitated workforce development training for 14 to 24-year olds. Though her previous charges were different from JHU students, the pressure they felt to succeed is similar. If Ciara could tell her college-self anything, she would say not to let fear limit you. You are braver, stronger, and more resilient than you can ever imagine.

Contact

Phone Number: 410-516-8056
Email: cflower7@jhu.edu
X (formerly Twitter): Connect on X

Rickie Eatherly

Assistant Director of Life Design, Brain Sciences

Rickie Eatherly (she/her) is the Life Design Educator serving students in Psychology and Brain Sciences. Rickie grew up in the mountains of Asheville, NC, and attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill for her undergraduate degree in business administration and dramatic art. While attending UNC, Rickie was a division 1 coxswain and a member of the gender-inclusive service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. However, she spent most of her time producing theater through the undergraduate department of dramatic art and student theater organization, Company Carolina.

In her professional journey, Rickie began as a recruiter for the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). However, she quickly used the Life Design principles to explore other roles at her organization – including marketing and talent development. As a result, she transitioned to the world of qualitative market research. She spent the next four years conducting interviews, analyzing research panels, and facilitating focus groups as an analyst for the research firm Smarty Pants. Rickie relocated to the DMV area in early 2021 and recently completed her master’s degree in Communication at Johns Hopkins. Rickie has successfully utilized the tenets of Life Design to navigate her personal and professional journey for over 6 years and is excited to help others do so as well!

Office Hours

Imagine Center General Office Hours: Tuesday 1-3pm and Thursday 3-5pm

Brain Science Student Office Hours: Tuesday 10am-12pm, Virtually Wednesday afternoons by appointment:

Book time with Rickie Eatherly: Rickie Eatherly Virtual Office Hours

*FINAL OFFICE HOURS OF 2024: 12/11/2024

Contact

Email: reather1@jh.edu

Beatriz Gutierrez-Malagon

Assistant Director of Life Design: First Year KSAS

Beatriz (she/her), also known as Bea, was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She is Cuban-Panamanian and is a proud first-generation college graduate from Florida State University. Bea got her bachelor’s degree in Criminology and International Affairs with a Leadership Studies certificate and her master’s degree in Higher Education Student Affairs. While in Florida she led a variety of service initiatives in the community, served in Greek life as a ΣΙΑ, and advocated for womxn’s health.

Bea moved to Maryland in 2019 and started her career at University of Maryland Baltimore County as Coordinator for Leadership. Aside from creating and facilitating on-campus leadership programs she also served as SGA Co-Advisor, Leadership Peer Facilitators supervisor, and was an instructor for first year students. To her, exemplifying true leadership as a higher education professional means advocating for students’ success and well-being while providing them with the tools to overcome adversities, in addition to acknowledging and celebrating their contributions. She values guiding students to be their most authentic selves and plans to do that with Hopkins first year students while they craft an intentional collegiate experience and fulfilling life for themselves.

In her spare time, she likes to roller skate. Her favorite thing to do in Baltimore is watch the Orioles play in Camden Yards. Bea is a lover of the color yellow, breakfast, and all things bee related. And she is also a furmom of four— two husky/shepard mixes and two kitty cats!

Cohort Hours: Tuesdays, 12pm – 2pm, AMR II Blue Jay Lounge

Contact

Email: bgutier9@jh.edu

Aiyana Hamilton

Assistant Director of Life Design: Center for Student Success

Aiyana (she/her) is originally from Cleveland, OH and worked at Cleveland State University prior to joining Johns Hopkins University. She holds a B.S. in Healthcare Administration from Eastern Michigan University and M.S.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Northern Illinois University and she is active in many organizations, such as, NASPA, National Black MBA Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Aiyana is excited to join the LDL team and be part of an ecosystem that will support students as they navigate their collegiate journey and help students achieve their personal and professional aspirations. If there is one thing she would tell her undergraduate self, she would encourage her to take time choosing a major.

Fun Facts: Aiyana loves to play volleyball, enjoys the arts, attend concerts, play boardgames (Taboo, Bingo, Scrabble, Monopoly, etc.) travel, and is a foodie!

Contact

Email: ahamil32@jhu.edu
LinkedIn: @aiyana-hamilton-2a515a1

Jess Harlee

Director of Employer Relations

Jess is a die-hard Ravens fan who loves spending her free time traveling the world and doing anything that involves sports. She is a former women’s basketball student-athlete from West Virginia University where she earned her degree in industrial engineering before transitioning to work at Connors Group. After recognizing that her life passion laid within athletics, Jess decided to make a career change and attend the University of Oregon to earn her MBA in sports business. She found her love for helping student-athletes with their personal and professional development while in her role as the Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development at Oregon. She is driven to help student-athletes as they begin their journey in determining what their life purpose is. If she could tell her college self anything, it would be to trust and enjoy the twists and turns of life because you will end up exactly where you should be.

Contact

Email: jharlee2@jhu.edu
X (formerly Twitter): @HarleeJess

Kara Hunter

Associate Director of Employer Engagement

Kara Hunter (she/her) is dedicated collegiate student development, and it is evident in her almost a decade of experience in the field. While her path to the Life Design Lab was not linear, it most definitely has given her a unique perspective on Life Design and augments the importance of staying curious and trying new things. Kara spends time fostering relationships with employers and providing opportunities for students to build their professional networks.

Kara has spent time all over the East Coast, but now calls Baltimore home. Prior to accepting a position with Integrated Learning and Life Design in January 2022, Kara most recently served as the Assistant Director of Competitive Sports at Loyola University Maryland. During her tenure at Loyola, she oversaw 28 club sports teams with over 500 student athletes, as well as a robust intramural sports program that served over 1800 students. In addition, Kara served as an instructor for a first-year seminar course from 2019-2022. She also spent two years at NC State University as a Resident Director for Upperclassman and Graduate Housing, managing a staff of 20 Resident Assistants and over 1100 residents.

Kara’s educational career has mirrored her professional career, most recently with a Master of Business Administration, ‘21 from Loyola University Maryland. Prior to moving to the Mid-Atlantic, she pursued a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration, ’17 from NC State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science studying Counseling Psychology, ‘15 from The Ohio State University.

Most recently, Kara’s teaching and programming has focused on transitioning skills from the classroom to industry. She serves as a Co-Director for the Your Turn to Intern (YTTI) program, helping students navigate their internship search through monthly workshops covering topics that range from identifying one’s values in an internship experience to interviewing and negotiating salaries to getting the most out of one’s summer internship. She has also taught two Intersession Courses that help students understand their strengths and transitioning them professional careers.

Outside of her professional career at Hopkins, Kara is a big sports fanatic and loves to travel around the country visiting various professional sports venues. She is also committed to traveling somewhere new every year and is looking forward to crossing more destinations off her list in the coming years.

Recent Courses:

It’s not too late to secure a Summer Internship (Intersession 2023)

Careers in Biotech and Medical Device Course and Trek (Intersession 2023)

Chelsey Jones

Associate Director of Life Design Events and Facilities

Chelsey developed a deep passion for education equity through her first job after college: working in two rural high schools in Pittsylvania County, Virginia with the National College Advising Corps. She has over a decade of experience in education across residence life, fellowships, administration, scholarships, and federal contracting. Chelsey earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia (which is still her favorite place in the world). She also holds two Master’s Degrees: a M.S. Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University and a M.A. in Education Policy and Social Analysis from Teachers College at Columbia University.

Chelsey loves building processes and logistics! She’s always excited to help students think through their goals and to help create actionable plans to achieve them.

Fun facts: Chelsey is in a weekly jazz dance class, absolutely hates to cook, and is an expert at parallel parking. Her superpower? She can listen to a song once or twice and know most of the words. (This is not a helpful skill.)

Contact

Email: cjone273@jh.edu
LinkedIn: @joneschelsey1

Lemoine Joseph

Life Design Educator for Biological, Physical & Natural Sciences

Lemoine (pronounced either as “ler-mwan” or “leh-moyne”…just not “leh-muhn”) Joseph, Jr. (He, Him, His) has worked as a dedicated education professional since 2016. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree majoring in (Applied) Mathematics with a minor in Chemistry on the pre-medical track, Lemoine worked as a Teaching Apprentice with Blue Engine – an educational non-profit in New York City. Following that experience, he attained a Master’s Degree in Higher Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Throughout his career in higher education, Lemoine has worked as a Sexual and Relationship Violence Prevention Specialist at Michigan State University and as an Assistant Director at Loyola University Maryland’s Center for Community, Service, and Justice.

Lemoine is excited to be a part of the Life Design Lab team because of the potential to help align students’ career and vocational endeavors to their core values and principles in ways that can strengthen or redefine their visions of their future lives. He is thrilled to support undergraduate students majoring in Biology, Biophysics, Chemistry, Earth & Planetary Sciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Mathematics, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Natural Sciences Area, and Physics. Outside of the Life Design Lab, Lemoine enjoys running annoyingly long distances, (hot) yoga, graphic novels, cafe hopping (Red Emma’s is a MUST), spending FAR too much time in his kitchen, collecting vinyl records, going to farmer’s markets (especially the 32nd Street Farmer’s Market), matinee movie screenings at the Senator or Charles Theaters, hosting trivia nights, and generally exploring Baltimore.

Fun Fact: If you give him 1-2 hours, Lemoine could probably name all 700+ contestants that have appeared on the TV show Survivor (U.S. edition only).

Spring 2026 Drop-In Appointment Schedule (Dates Subject to Change Due to Availability)

Imagine Center Drop-Ins
- Thursdays at 3-5 PM ET
Virtual Cohort Drop-Ins
- Wednesdays at 3-5 PM ET
  - Sign up in advance. (Email Lemoine for the password.)

Jobs, Internships, and Co-Op Opportunities (via Handshake) [Note: Each list is not exhaustive for each discipline. Please merely treat these as potential starting points in your search process.]

Biology, Biophysics, Molecular & Cellular Biology Roles: Jobs, Internships & Co-Ops, Opportunities Open to International Students
Chemistry Roles: Jobs, Internships & Co-Ops, Opportunities Open to International Students
Earth & Planetary Sciences, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies Roles: Jobs, Internships & Co-Ops, Opportunities Open to International Students
Mathematics Roles: Jobs, Internships & Co-Ops, Opportunities Open to International Students
Physics Roles: Jobs, Internships & Co-Ops, Opportunities Open to International Students
Additional Specific Job Types of Interest:
- Data Scientist Roles (often require coding skills): Jobs, Internships & Co-Ops, Opportunities Open to International Students
- Healthcare & Clinical Roles: Jobs, Internships & Co-Ops, Opportunities Open to International Students
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians: Jobs, Internships & Co-Ops, Opportunities Open to International Students
- Undergraduate Student Researchers: Jobs, Internships & Co-Ops, Opportunities Open to International Students
Additional Job Boards, Newsletters & Resources:
- CapYear: Clinical or medical assistant experiences
- Conservation Job Board: The world’s largest and most-visited career website in conservation, ecology, forestry, wildlife, and fisheries.
- Idealist: Opportunities spanning a variety of nonprofits, social-impact businesses, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives
- MedTech Innovator: Opportunities in medical device, digital health, and diagnostic companies
- Parker Dewey: Micro-internship opportunities (short-term, paid, professional projects are open to all college students and recent graduates)
- Pathways to Science: Education and career training opportunities in science, technology, engineering & mathematics (STEM)
- Pava Center’s Student Seeking Startup Form: Sign-up form for students interested in entrepreneurship and want to join a startup (instead of making one)
- Reconsidered: Jobs in corporate responsibility, sustainability, and social impact
- Raise for Good: A round-up of social impact jobs & internships
- Second Day: Social impact job opportunities ranging from part-time internships to full-time roles.
- Startup Jobs: Job board featuring some of the fastest-growing technology startups
- Terra.do: Explore 89,300+ roles across several functions at over 21,500+ companies spanning a broad range of global climate solutions.
- Trusted Care Foundation: Join this newsletter to learn about opportunities in clinical and clinical-adjacent experiences (especially in pediatrics)
- Work for Good: One of the first job boards focused exclusively on mission-driven careers.

Contact

Email: ljoseph@jhu.edu
LinkedIn: @lemoinejoseph

Yasir Kurt

Director of Graduate Programs: AAP and Whiting Engineering

Yasir (He/Him) is originally from Turkey. He lived in San Antonio, Texas for about 10 years and received his master’s and doctoral degrees there respectively from The University of Texas at San Antonio and St. Mary’s University. Then, he started his professional career services journey at Texas A&M University San Antonio. After working 2 years at A&M, he joined Purdue University-Krannert School of Management (Krannert Professional Development Center). At Purdue, he was an Associate Director of Graduate Programs between August 2021-2022. He is excited to help students embrace their innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and use the LD/DT concepts in their lives and decisions. If Yasir could tell his university-self anything it would be to go and seek for great mentors to guide you in your journey!

In his spare time, Yasir likes to go to parks, trails, and playgrounds with his family as much as possible and enjoys reading books and playing table tennis.

Fun fact: Yasir started learning English at the age of 26 after moving to the States!

Contact

Email: ykurt1@jhu.edu
LinkedIn: @yasirkurt

Karen Mardock

Director of Operations

Karen is obsessed with all things pop culture and, as a proud Buffalonian, is a big fan of sponge candy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Theater and has earned a Master’s degree in Emerging Media, which she has cultivated an eclectic and diverse professional background.

Her journey into higher education revealed her true calling – a passion for energizing students by providing them with the essential networks, tools, and confidence needed to navigate their own life paths. If Karen had the chance to offer advice to her college-era self, she would encourage herself to absorb knowledge from every source, engage in a wide range of activities, converse with a variety of people, and embrace new experiences. She firmly believes that each aspect of this life journey contributes significantly to personal growth and development.

Contact

Phone Number: 4105537131
Location: Imagine Center
Email: kmardoc1@jhu.edu
Website: imagine.jhu.edu/
LinkedIn: @karenmardock
X (formerly Twitter): Connect on X

Eric Mason

Assistant Director of Life Design: Humanities

Dr. Mason is the Life Design Educator for the Humanities Department. He is a practicing artist that has earned a BA in film from Howard University, MFA in photography from SCAD and an Ed.D. in art education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Prior to coming to Hopkins, Eric taught digital photography (intro and advanced), digital media courses and managed a maker space. His varied career path gives him a broad perspective. He looks forward to working with humanities students and providing them with tools to explore their respective experiences and design a path that fits them.

Contact

Email: emason16@jh.edu

Schedule an Appointment

Valerie Maynor

Valerie Maynor is from Darby, Pennsylvania, and is a 2x first-generation college graduate. She attended West Chester University of Pennsylvania where she earned a Bachelors in Communication Studies with a Minor in Media & Culture and a Masters in Higher Education Policy & Student Affairs. During her undergraduate years, she did radio for three years and interned at the only Black-owned radio station in PA, WURD Radio. As a pandemic graduate, she put off working in radio and pursued a degree in higher education, where she recognized a passion for supporting Black students as they navigate challenges while attaining their college degrees. While in graduate school, she wrote her thesis, “From the Cell to Excellence…” where she addressed the ways in which college serves as a critical tool for reducing recidivism among previously incarcerated Black men. She hopes to start a non-profit, primarily serving folks of that population, along with women. She also hopes to pursue her first passion of broadcasting by starting a podcast of her own.

When she is not working, Val is playing her PS5, driving while listening to music, or with her Yorkipoo, Malcolm. Also, she dabbles in photography.

Contact

Email: vmaynor1@jhu.edu

Christopher Moss

Chris was born and raised in Southeast Missouri, and now resides in Missouri’s State Capitol, Jefferson City. He attended Seminary in Springfield, Missouri and completed internship at Parker Evangelical Presbyterian Church (PEPC). Then, in 2015, Chris shifted focus from Theological studies to Managing Technology in Primary and Secondary Education. Most recently, Chris championed the use of Integrated Technology for Business within a Business platforms, combining AI components to produce accurate methods of reporting for stakeholders; helping them tell a story of where they started vs where they are going. He is very excited to be joining the LDL team and help continue to positively impact students.

If Chris could tell his undergrad self anything, it would be not to focus so much on the destination, that you neglect to learn from the journey. The destination changes; the journey will change you.

Fun facts about Chris:

Avid College Football Enthusiast.
Nominated for the Parent Advisory Council for Central Missouri Autism Project by the University of Missouri Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
He has 5 kids and his daily driver is a kid hauling 12 passenger Transit Van.

Contact

Email: cmoss13@jhu.edu
LinkedIn: @chris-moss-itstrategist

Emily Murphy

Assistant Director of Life Design, Chemical & Mechanical Engineering

Emily Murphy (she/her) is a dedicated student affairs professional with a passion for fostering leadership, career development, and community engagement through integrative learning. With a Master’s in Sport Management from West Virginia University and a Bachelor’s in Sports & Recreation Management from James Madison University, Emily has cultivated a career dedicated to mentoring students, enhancing experiential learning opportunities, and building inclusive campus communities.

Prior to joining Life Design Lab, she most recently served as a Competitive Sports Coordinator at Ohio State University. In this role, she advised student employees and sport club athletes, facilitated professional development, and oversaw the administration of 62 club sports teams and over 6,000 participants. Additionally, she played a key role in intramural programming, student hiring and training, and campus wellness initiatives. Before her time at Ohio State, Emily held similar roles at Mississippi State University and West Virginia University, where she focused on student leadership, program development, and inclusion efforts.

Emily has been actively involved in national collegiate recreation organizations, serving in leadership roles and presenting on student development and inclusion. She brings enthusiasm, positivity, and a student-centered approach to her work, ensuring that every student she engages with feels supported and empowered to navigate their educational and career journeys.

Fun Facts: Emily competitively Irish Step Danced for 15 years, recently moved to Baltimore, and is excited to attend Orioles games as a sports enthusiast.

If Emily could tell her undergraduate-self anything, it would be: Be where your feet are. Focus fully on where you are right now. You won’t get another opportunity to be here, so, make the most of it.

Contact

Email: emurph52@jhu.edu
LinkedIn: @emilyamurphy1316

Aleanairis Nunez

Senior Employer Outreach Coordinator

Aleanairis (Aly), is a Brooklyn, New York native who enjoys learning about innovations in the world of communications, travel and has curiosity for the history behind ancient sites. As a first generation graduate, she serves as a mentor to her younger family members to help guide them throughout the high school to college transition. This kick-started her interest in the importance of career development. Aleanairis has a Bachelor’s Degree in Interpersonal & Media Communications, she feels passionate in bringing to light the importance of communication in this time and age where we are increasingly diverse in culture and skillset. Through her work in the Life Design Lab, particularly in on campus recruitment, Aleanairis enjoys being able to engage with employers across industries and help students connect to find their next opportunity.

Contact

Email: anunez5@jhu.edu

Keisha Poole

Administrative Coordinator

Keisha was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. She is a wife and mother of 2 daughters. Keisha joined the JHU family in 2007 and has been a part of 4 different departments which include The Wilmer Eye Institute, IGTC, Student Housing, and now the Life Design Lab.

Outside of work, Keisha is also the owner of “Keisha’s Krafty Kreations.” She is an avid crafter and loves to create through a wide variety of services including graphic design, sign making, apparel decorating, laser engraving, and lots more! If she could her undergrad-self anything, it would be to stay focused through all the derailments of life.

Contact

Email: kharri50@jhu.edu

Ashley Schantz

Senior Director, Undergraduate Education

Ashley Schantz is a life design and discernment specialist, working to ensure equitable access to resources and skills to build lives of fulfillment. As the Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Education at the Johns Hopkins University Life Design Lab, Ashley supports a team of nine Life Design Educators across academic disciplines within boththe Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering. Ashley is the Chari fo the Life Design LAb Curriculum Committee, overseeing the flagship Life Design Summer Experience Practicum course for students receiving un(der)paid summer internships and the integration of curriculum accross signature Life Design initiatives.

Prior to her work in Life Design, Ashley served as the Assistant Director of Transition and Discernment Programs at Loyola University Maryland, where she constructed meaningful engagement opportunities for students to developed more self-actualized life pathways and foster a sense of belonging amongst a diverse population. She has directed co-curricular learning programs and initiatives designed to encourage students to capitalize on and make meaning of their academic pursuits for students throughout each undergraduate transition, including directing orientation and peer mentor initiatives at the University of Saint Francis and the Life After Loyola docuseries for graduating seniors.

Ashley earned a BA in Psychology from Bowling Green State University, a MS in Clinical Psychology from the University of Dayton, and a MA in College Student Personnel from Western Illinois University. Her combined academic training centers in personal development and self-authorship. Her master’s thesis, Betrayal characteristics and self-forgiveness: The mediating and moderating roles of social-cognitive variables, examined the impact of self-empathy, rumination, and attributions on one’s ability to self-forgive across various transgression severity levels and relational dynamics. She has taught courses on topics related to the college transition, senior seminars, and positive psychology.

More recently, Ashley’s teaching and programming have focused on Life/Design Thinking, career pathways in psychology, brain sciences, & environmental sciences, and the intersection of discernment practices to promote self-actualization and the self-authored life design.

Ashley is an outdoor enthusiast with a hunger to learn strategies to live in better harmony with the earth and our communities. She is a new student to meditation and somatic mindfulness practices.

Recent Courses:

Life Design Summer Experience Practicum (Summer 2023 & 2024)

It’s Not Too Late To Secure An Internship! (Intersession 2024)

Life Design Summer Institute (Summer 2022)

Intro to Hopkins: Arrive & Thrive (Fall 2022)

Environmental Science Senior Seminar (Fall 2022)

Contact

Phone Number: 410-215-4762
Email: aschantz@jhu.edu
LinkedIn: @ashley-schantz-0b115b1b6

Eric Spiegel

Assistant Director of Life Design for Computer Science, Computer and Electrical Engineering

Eric brings a wealth of industry experience to his role as a Life Design Educator. After six years at AWS and over three decades in the technology sector, he is excited to help students navigate the ever-evolving job market—especially in the era of Generative AI. Throughout his career, Eric led professional services and business development teams while mentoring professionals at all levels in career growth, networking, and adapting to rapid technological change.

Originally from Pittsburgh and a diehard Steelers fan (sorry, Ravens fans!), Eric has called Maryland home since 1990. He quickly learned that Maryland blue crabs are not eaten with a fork and knife. He stays connected to emerging trends thanks to his two daughters—one who recently graduated with a computer science degree, giving him firsthand insight into the job search challenges in tech, and another who is a college freshman, keeping him immersed in Gen Z culture.

An avid traveler, Eric has explored 13 countries so far, with London as his favorite city and Tokyo a close second.

Fun Fact: If you’re into animated series, ask Eric about Attack on Titan, Arcane, or Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Eric holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in Information Systems from Johns Hopkins University. Passionate about mentorship and career development, he looks forward to helping students build meaningful, adaptable careers in technology and beyond.

Contact

Email: espiege1@jh.edu
LinkedIn: @espiegel

Keira Wilson

Sr. Life Design Educator: Public Health

Keira (she/her) grew up in the Pennsylvania mountain town of Bellefonte, home to many governors and a spring that feeds the entire community. She attended Guilford College and later the University of North Carolina – Greensboro, where the city and its residents taught her the value of historical context and understanding where you are. You can often find her volunteering with community-led organizations connecting folks with their environment through free gardens, biking, and outdoor activities. As a celebration enthusiast, she love parades and holds memberships in community-based parades groups such as the Vaudevillians New Years Brigade and the Krewe of Red Beans hailing from New Orleans.

Find Me! Public Health Cohort Hours:

Tues 11-1PM at the PHS Building – 505 North Charles

Recommended Resources:

Designing Your Gap Year in 4 Easy Steps

Gap to Growth Guide (JHU) – Planning Your Gap Year

How to Get an Awesome Recommendation

Recent Courses:

Designing for Global Change (Intersession 2024)

Life Design Summer Institute (Summer 2022, 2023)

Intro to Hopkins: Arrive & Thrive (Fall 2022, 2023)

Becoming Your Biggest Changemaker- Developing a Socially Conscious Career in Science (Intersession 2022)

Find Me On the Internet:

Good Work with Keira (website)

5 Unexpected Skills Volunteer Service Adds to Your Career

Transformative Return for Communities (Quaker)

Specialties and Interests

Social innovation, experiential learning, systems thinking, civic and service engagement

Contact

Location: Tues 11-1PM at the PHS Building - 3505 North Charles
Email: kwils118@jhu.edu
Website: www.good-work-space.com/
LinkedIn: @keira-wilson
X (formerly Twitter): @keiralwilson

Andrea Wiseman

Assistant Director of Life Design: First Year Whiting

My Office Hours for first-year students are: Tuesdays from Noon-2pm in the AMR II Blue Jay Lounge (in addition to Imagine Center drop-in hours).

Andrea has completed 3 marathons and a half-Ironman, knows all the free/cheap activities in Baltimore with tiny humans, has traveled to 30 states and 30 countries, is a Boston sports fan and is a host parent to a high school student from Germany.

Andrea has worked for Semester at Sea, taught English abroad and has worked with college students since 2002. Andrea has spent the last 13 years working with Hopkins freshmen and student leaders in leadership development, project management, communication skills and life decision-making. She is excited to continue challenging students to use their skills, experiences and interests to pursue their dreams.

If Andrea could tell her college-self anything, she would say to think outside the box and don’t do only what you were told you “should” be doing.

Cohort Hours: Tuesdays, 12pm – 2pm, AMR II Blue Jay Lounge

Contact

Phone Number: 410-585-5202
Email: awiseman@jhu.edu
LinkedIn: @andrea-wiseman-huskies
X (formerly Twitter): @AndreaWiseman16

Monday	8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday	8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday	8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday	8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday	8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday	10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday	CLOSED

Life Design Lab Staff

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