Laura Kestner-Ricketts
Executive Director, Career and Professional Development

Passionate career professional dedicated to supporting and uplifting all students as they explore who they are and where they are going.
First Job: Besides lawn mowing and babysitting, my first job was as a picture framer!
Education: Master of Education Degree in Student Development in Higher Education, University of Maine, Orono, Maine; Bachelor of Arts Degree in French, Minors in English Composition, Russian Studies, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Nebraska
Career Specialties: Career Development, Professional and Wedding Etiquette, Public Speaking, Leadership, Supervision, and Event Planning
Professional and Community Activities: Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers (member, past board member), National Association of Colleges and Employers (member), College Career Consortium of Illinois (President, member), Quad Cities College Career Group (member), Senior Leadership Roundtable with QC Chamber of Commerce (member), Volunteer Soccer Coach, Windsor Crest Club (social chair, member)
Honors and Awards: Midwest ACE Founders Award (July 2019), Midwest ACE Diversity Advancement Founders Award (July 2014), Midwest ACE JW Paquette Award for Superior Leadership (July 2013), Midwest ACE President’s Award (July 2003)
Specialties and Interests
Career Development, Professional and Wedding Etiquette, Public Speaking, Leadership, Supervision, and Event PlanningContact
Recent Posts
Joe Giffen
Career Coach

Background: Experienced Career Services professional and Army Veteran with a demonstrated history of working in higher education and industry. Skilled in Career Counseling, MBTI, Presenting, Sales, Operations & Logistics Management, Program Creation, Security, and Customer Service. Strong community and educational services professional and working on a Doctor of Education – Ed.D focused in Organizational Leadership from the University of Dayton (to be completed summer of 2023).
Degrees: Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Organizational Leadership, University of Dayton (~2023), Dayton, OH; Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed) in College Counseling and Student Affairs, Youngstown State University (2019), Youngstown, OH; Bachelor of Science in Education (BS.E) in Educational Leadership Administration from Kent State University (2016), Kent, Ohio.
Professional and Community Activities: Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers Professional Development Committee (2019-2022), College Career Consortium of Illinois (CCCI 2019-Present), Veterans of Foreign Wars Lifetime Member (2014-Present)
Honors and Awards: MWACE “Applause” (2020) and “High Five” (2021) Awards, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star (2014), Army Achievement Medal x2 (2013 & 2014)
Specialties and Interests
Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Students, Environmental Studies Students, Non-traditional and Adult Students, Resume Writing, Interview Preparation, MBTIContact
Recent Posts
Lisa Slater
Marketing & Events Coordinator

Successful marketing & events coordinator with outstanding communication, organization, and collaboration skills. 15 years + of Higher Education Experience.
First Job: I volunteered in High School at a local day care. My first paid position was a Cashier at Kmart
Education: Associates Degree, Blackhawk College, Dental Assisting Certificate, Blackhawk College
Career Specialties: Office Coordination, Special Events, Social Media & Marketing
Professional and Community Activities: College Career Consortium of Illinois [CCCI]
Honors and Awards: National Association of Colleges and Employers, Career Coaching Intensive [July 2018],
Specialties and Interests
Career Development, Event Planning, Social Media, MarketingContact
Recent Posts
Beth Ford
Career Coach for the Health Sciences & First Year Student Advisor

Interacting with college students brings me a huge amount of joy. With several years of higher education experience, I am able to draw on those past experiences as I work with students to help them figure out their passions, purpose and how they will be able to impact the world. I have a great understanding of experiential learning with CORE, with the overall goal of helping students achieve success.
First job: I loved babysitting in junior high, and in high school I worked at Arthur’s Garden Deli in Rock Island. I learned valuable customer service skills in that position and it was also a great lesson in time management. I still love eating at Arthur’s.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bradley University in Peoria, IL in addition to 20 years of on the job training in higher education at both Bradley University and Augustana College.
Career Specialties: Career Development, FYI Instructor, Academic Advising, Augie Choice, International & Off Campus Programming, College Recruitment, Public Speaking, Sales & Marketing, Event Planning
Professional and Community Activities: Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers, College Career, Consortium of Illinois, National Association of Colleges and Employers, Community Volunteer
Honors and Awards: NACE Career Coaching Intensive Certificate, MWACE Career Coaching Certification
Specialties and Interest: Career Development, FYI Instructor, Academic Advising, Augie Choice, International & Off Campus Programming, College Recruitment, Public Speaking, Sales & Marketing, Event Planning
Specialties and Interests
Career Development, FYI Instructor, Academic Advising, Augie Choice, International & Off Campus Programming, College Recruitment, Public Speaking, Sales & Marketing, Event PlanningContact
Recent Posts
Bobbie Tidball

Experienced career development and administrative professional dedicated to helping students and employers have positive internship experiences.
First Job: My first job was in the deli department of a grocery store. Because I was the youngest employee there, I got put on dish and cleaning duty most of the time.
Education: Master of Education Degree in College Student Affairs Leadership from Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI; Bachelor of Science Degree in Individual Studies from Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL
Career Specialties: Internship Supervision and Development, General Job and Internship Search, Resumes and Cover Letter Writing
Professional Organizations: National Society for Experiential Education, Cooperative Education and Internship Association, National Association of Colleges and Employers, Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers, College Career Consortium of Illinois
Specialties and Interests
Internship Supervision and Development, General Job and Internship Search, Resumes and Cover Letter WritingContact
Recent Posts
Ammuniki Wood
Career Coach

I value mentoring and educating college students throughout their journey to unveil their passions, and career aspirations. To witness the development of students as they reach their goals and give guidance back to their peers is inspiring.
Continued professional development, observation of student trends, and setting development goals will continue to be my driving force in the career development space.
First Job: My very first job was selling spaghetti packets door to door for the local supermarket! It honestly built the framework for my communication skills.
Education: Master of Business Administration in Organizational Development & Human Resources, DeSales University, Center Valley, Pennsylvania; Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications & Bachelor of Science in Management, Culver-Stockton College, Missouri.
Career Specialties: Career Development, Public Speaking, Talent Acquisition, Recruitment, Customer Relations, Sales, Leadership, Compensation,
Professional and Community Activities: Shamar Bishop Scholarship Fund (Member), Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers (Member), National Association of Colleges and Employers (Member), College Career Consortium of Illinois (Member).
Honors and Awards: Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Awardee (2019), NO.14 Unit award for Meritorious service (2015), Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award (2013),
Specialties and Interests
Career Development, Public Speaking, Talent Acquisition, Recruitment, Customer Relations, Sales, Leadership, Compensation,Jessica Estes

Passionate student affairs professional dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion work. I have extensive higher education experience in areas of residential life, Greek life, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as advising and career development.
First Job: My first job was working as a teacher’s aide in a daycare, and then, Panera Bread!
Education: Master of Science degree in College Student Personnel Administration and a graduate certificate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois; Bachelor of Arts degree inn English and Creative Writing, Augustana College, Rock Island Illinois.
Career Specialties: Education; law, government, and public administration; social impact; arts and entertainment; FYI 100; and advising.
Professional and Community Activities: The American College Personnel Association (ACPA), Coalition for (Dis) Ability Social Media and Marketing Coordinator, Zeta Phi Kappa alumni and chapter advisor
Honors and Awards: Order of Omega, Epsilon Theta; Sigma Kappa Delta, English honor society.
Specialties and Interests
Law, Government, Public ServiceArts and EntertainmentEducationSocial ImpactContact
Recent Posts
Keri Bass
Assistant Director of Vocational Exploration and Career Coach

First Job: I worked as a baby sitter starting at 12. I loved connecting with kids and having fun.
Degree Institution: Augustana College, B.A
Illinois State University, M.S.
Career Specialties: I work closely with students as they learn to identify their strengths, values, interests and directions. I empower students to think about all of the ways they can engage in the community doing meaningful work both now and in the future. This framework lends itself well to working with students who are still exploring, changing direction, or unsatisfied in their current roles and areas of study.
Professional and Community activities: National Association of Colleges and Employers, College Career Consortium of Illinois, Creative Arts Academy Booster Vice President