Casey Miller
Executive Director, Mentoring Initiatives
Contact me at: casey.miller@jhu.edu | LinkedIn
Casey Miller is the Executive Director of Hopkins Connect, an office created to establish and grow a culture of mentoring, professional development, and connections at Johns Hopkins University. Under Casey’s leadership, Hopkins Connect develops alumni mentoring and professional development networks, digital resources, and programs for alumni and students, parents and families, employers, and faculty and staff. Casey also leads the rollout of OneHop, the university’s first mentoring platform that will connect students and alumni across the university’s nine divisions.
Joy Capers
Senior Associate Director, Mentoring Initiatives
Contact me at: jcapers1@jhu.edu | LinkedIn
Joy Capers (she, her) is the Senior Associate Director for Hopkins Connect, an office created to establish and grow a culture of mentorship, professional development, and connections at Johns Hopkins University. Her duties include working on the execution of initiatives to increase impact and brand awareness. As a first-generation college student her passion includes working with our FLI (first-generation and/or limited income) students to increase their access to alumni mentorship, develop their professional development network, and create tailored initiatives to increase the impact of their connections. She also serves as liaison to the Whiting School of Engineering, Peabody Institute, and the School of Nursing to assist all students.
Joy previously attended Charleston Southern University where she earned an undergraduate degree in Communications and obtained her graduate degree with dual focuses in Management and Leadership/Human Resources Management from Webster University. Her credentials include being a Certified Career Service Provider (CCSP) and Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF).
Previously working in workforce development and human services prior to higher education contributed to her experience in college access programming, career counseling, workforce development, mentorship, and project management. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins University, she served as the Assistant Director of Mentoring Programs at Virginia Tech. Where she led the rollout of Hokie Mentorship Connect, the university’s first mentorship platform that connected students and alumni for networking and career related support utilizing the PeopleGrove platform.
She is very excited about the increasing impact of Hopkins Connect that continues to take place since originally joining the team in March of 2022. Joy looks forward to continued collaborations and the execution of new initiatives to further connect our students with alumni mentors and industry partners.
Tessa McKenzie
Associate Director, Mentor Development, Alumni Engagement and Life Design Programs
Contact me at: Tessa@jhu.edu | LinkedIn
Tessa W. McKenzie is a certified Designing Your Life Coach and Career Coach through the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and currently serves as Associate Director of Mentor Development, Alumni Engagement, and Life Design Programs for Hopkins Connect at Johns Hopkins University.
She is the founder of the Guidance Alliance, a university-wide initiative designed to celebrate mentorship, bring together cross-disciplinary leaders, and cultivate thought leadership. Through this work, Tessa advances mentorship as both a relational practice and a strategic lever for community-building, belonging, and professional growth.
With over 15 years of experience in training, nonprofit capacity building, curriculum design, and strategic storytelling, Tessa has served as a Life Design Educator with Johns Hopkins University’s Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and has taught extensively with and for students with disabilities and international students. She is also a lead instructor for the Alumni Life Design Experience (ALDE), where she guides alumni through reflective, strengths-based approaches to navigating career transitions and life pivots.
A survivor of Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE), Tessa brings lived experience to her coaching, instruction, and facilitation. She serves as an active member of the Provost’s Disability Inclusion Advisory Committee (DIAC), where she contributes to institution-wide efforts to advance access, equity, and inclusive design across Johns Hopkins University. Additionally, she has served as Chief Resilience Officer at the International Autoimmune Encephalitis Society (IAES), where she led education, support, and mentorship initiatives for patients, caregivers, and clinicians.
Kavya Dave
Project Assistant
Contact me at: kdave2@jh.edu | LinkedIn
Hi, I’m Kavya Dave, a dedicated and passionate counseling student at Johns Hopkins University. I thrive on helping others and believe in the power of empathy and understanding. My journey in clinical mental health counseling is driven by a deep curiosity about the human mind and a commitment to making a positive difference in people’s lives.
I’m an insightful and perceptive individual who values meaningful connections and open communication. My friends and colleagues often describe me as a good listener and a supportive presence, always ready with a thoughtful perspective. Creativity and critical thinking are at the core of my approach, allowing me to navigate challenges with innovative solutions and a positive outlook.
Leadership and teamwork come naturally to me, and I take pride in fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment wherever I go. I enjoy exploring new ideas and continuously learning, which fuels my enthusiasm for personal and professional growth. When I’m not immersed in my studies or clinical work, you can find me indulging in my love for creative writing, dance, and exploring new ways to develop my skills. Let’s connect and share our journeys towards better mental health and well-being!
Catherine Mah
Stakeholder and Communications Graduate Assistant
Contact me at: cmah1@jh.edu | LinkedIn
Catherine Mah is a dedicated leader with a passion for mentorship and community engagement. A SF Bay Area native, she earned her BA in Public Policy with a concentration in Health Policy from the University of California, Riverside. Catherine gained hands-on experience through roles with the Riverside University Health System, UCR Healthy Campus, and the School of Public Policy.
She is currently pursuing a Master of Health Administration at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Currently, Catherine is completing her MHA residency at Rancho Health MSO, Inc. Back in California.
She now works with Hopkins Connect, where she supports student-alumni mentorship through online platforms and interactive workshops. She originally started as a Brand Ambassador and now works as a Graduate Assistant. Catherine also serves as Director of Programs at FIRST, a nonprofit supporting first-generation students, where she’s helping launch the BRIDGE program to expand access to mentorship. She believes mentorship is a powerful tool for student success and is committed to making it widely accessible. in California, contributing to its mission of building stronger, healthier communities. In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting, escape rooms, and cooking.