Career Development Team | Belmont University

Office of Career & Professional Development

Mary Claire Dismukes
Director
Career Cluster: Education, Ministry & Public Service
maryclaire.dismukes@belmont.edu | 615.460.6363
Location: Office of Career & Professional Development, Gabhart Student Center 218
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Career Cluster: Education, Ministry & Public Service

I’ve been passionate about helping people as long as I can remember. As a psychology major in undergrad, I didn’t know where my path would lead, but I knew it would involve making a difference in the world around me. I started my career with a non-profit home repair ministry hiring, training, and supervising the college-aged summer staff and have worked with college students ever since. I have spent the last 12 years as a career educator empowering others to make the world a better place using their unique gifts. Originally from FL, I have lived all over the country and landed at Belmont in 2016. It has always been my long term goal to lead a center of career and professional development at a mission-driven and student-centered university such as Belmont. When I’m not on campus, you can find me cheering on my two kids at a sports event or playground or enjoying a good meal with my husband.

Education

Master of Education in Counseling Psychology, Temple University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Social Work, University of South Carolina

Credentials

Licensed Professional Counselor (Pennsylvania)
Global Career Development Facilitator, CCE
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Administrator, APT

Gary Boling
Associate Director
Career Cluster: Clinical Health & Research
gary.boling@belmont.edu | 615.460.6490
Location: Office of Career & Professional Development, Gabhart Student Center 218
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Career Cluster: Clinical Health & Research

In the summer before my junior year of college, I realized my calling to help others in practical ways. After a moment of crisis and some research, I decidedly changed my major from Accounting to Rehabilitation Services Education and ended up with a surprisingly handy Business Administration minor. After an early career working mostly in mental health case management and children’s services, I found the field of career development while in graduate school. Now, with over 13 years of experience coaching individuals for career readiness and transition, I have made a career of helping Belmont students and graduates identify their passions as they develop their own careers. As Associate Director in our office, I currently specialize in serving those pursuing careers in clinical health and research. In addition to career coaching, with my inadvertent undergraduate minor, inescapable reputation for attention to detail and love of a good spreadsheet, I balance my time by serving as our office’s Budget Manager and also overseeing the First Destination Career Outcomes collection and reporting of our graduates. I am also an active leader in our local, state, and regional professional development organizations. When not at work, I enjoy date nights with my wife, Ellen; being a cool dad to our teenage son, Evan; going to concerts, watching Marvel movies, reading fantasy novels, traveling, and being actively involved in my church.

Education

Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling, Tennessee State University
Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services Education, Murray State University

Credentials

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Administrator, CAPT
Strong Interest Inventory Administrator, GS Consultants
StrengthsFinder Administrator, Gallup, Inc.

Rachel Walden
Assistant Director
Career Cluster: Arts, Communication & Technology
rachel.walden@belmont.edu | 615.460.6384
Location: Office of Career & Professional Development, Gabhart Student Center 218
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Career Cluster: Arts, Communication & Technology

As a Nashville native, I absolutely love living in my hometown and working at Belmont! I am truly passionate about my work in career development and find enjoyment in assisting our students and alumni with identifying and pursuing their own passions. I always knew I wanted to pursue a career helping others, which is why I chose my undergraduate major of Psychology with a minor in Sociology. After working in recruiting for a few years, I joined the Career Development team in 2010 and have spent the past 10+ years providing career coaching services to students and alumni, cultivating employer relationships and managing marketing, communications and social media for our office. I previously served as President of the Tennessee Association of Colleges and Employers, our state professional association.

My other full-time job is being a Mom and I also enjoy hiking with my German Shephard, hosting friends for backyard gatherings, cooking, reading, antiquiing and traveling.

Education

Master of Education in Organizational Leadership and Communication, Belmont University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Hanover College

Credentials

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Administrator, CPP, Inc.
Strong Interest Inventory Administrator, GS Consultants

Morgan Champion
Recruitment Coordinator
morgan.champion@belmont.edu | 615.460.5953
Location: Office of Career & Professional Development, Gabhart Student Center 218

Entertainment & Music Business Career Development

Nina Woodard
Assistant Director
Career Cluster: Music Business & Entertainment
nina.woodard@belmont.edu | 615.460.5988
Location: Curb College Career & Industry Suite (Above McAlister's)
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Career Cluster: Music Business & Entertainment

I was fortunate enough to get my dream job right out of college. While I didn’t realize it at the time, my first destination role as a marketing assistant with a small label in Nashville would lead to a 23-year career in Christian music that allowed me to pursue a personal passion, to utilize my talents, and to invest in a mission of great significance. As a member of the Belmont Career Development team, I am able to point that same passion, skill and purpose towards helping others achieve their professional dreams. Serving students in Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business and the School of Music is truly another dream job!

My husband Luke is a full-time arranger/engraver, and we're both choir members and worship leaders at our church. Our home is filled with music every single day. We also love great restaurants, traveling and our dog Sadie.

Education

Master of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership, Lipscomb University
Bachelor of Science in Public Relations/Communications, Florida State University

Caroline Rupard
Senior Career Development Specialist
Career Cluster: Music Business & Entertainment
caroline.rupard@belmont.edu | 615.460.6673
Location: Curb College Career & Industry Suite (Above McAlister's)
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Career Cluster: Music Business & Entertainment

Originally from Starkville, Mississippi, I moved to Nashville in 2010 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Music Business from Belmont University. As a student, I interned at Broken Bow Records, Big Yellow Dog Music, and Sea Gayle Music. Upon graduation, I continued my work at Sea Gayle throughout the summer assisting with office management duties and artist development for new artists. I was also asked to join the Board of Directors for YEP (Young Entertainment Professionals), which naturally led me to my current position at Belmont. My role is unbelievably rewarding when I am able to coach students through the career development process and watch them find their way into the most exciting industry – the entertainment industry. If I’m not on campus or at a show, you can probably find me in my garden.

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration in Music Business, Production Emphasis, Belmont University

Julie Jackson
Internship Coordinator
Career Cluster: Curb College Internships
julie.jackson@belmont.edu | 615.460.6438
Location: Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, Johnson 340
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Career Cluster: Curb College Internships

Julie is the Internship Coordinator for the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. She serves as the liaison between the entertainment and music industry and all students. Julie received a B.S. In Early Childhood Education and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Tennessee State University. Julie has had more than just an educational career, which includes all levels of secondary education before moving to higher education by serving as the Secondary Programs Manager at The Tennessee College of Applied Technology. She also worked in the medical world in a radiology department at a local hospital and in the legal world where she owned a process serving company in which many of her clients were Nashville’s most prominent attorneys.

Internship Information for Curb College Students

Massey College of Business Career Development Center

Lori LeBleu
Director
Career Cluster: Business, Accounting & Finance
lori.lebleu@belmont.edu | 615.460.6217
Location: Massey College of Business Career Development Center, Massey Business Center 415
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Career Cluster: Business, Accounting & Finance

Manages the Massey College of Business Career Development Center. Provides career assessments, resume reviews, coaching and job search strategy sessions for, MBAs, MACCs and experienced Massey College of Business alumni seeking full-time employment. Manages campus interviews and employer information sessions for employers interested in recruiting business students and alumni.

Chris Agans
Assistant Director of Career Development and Internships
Career Cluster: Massey College of Business Administration
chris.agans@belmont.edu | 615.460.6947
Location: Massey College of Business Career Development Center, Massey Business Center 415
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After growing up and going to school in Illinois, I moved to Nashville in 2008 to work at Belmont and have been here ever since. I spent two and a half years working in Student Affairs before transitioning to the career development team in 2012. In my current role, I provide career coaching to students and alumni, manage the undergraduate business internship program, teach the undergraduate internship and career development courses, and develop and maintain relationships with employers for the purpose of connecting with our students and graduates. If you are a College of Business student or alumnus pursuing or having completed a degree in Entrepreneurship, General Business, International Business, Management, Marketing, or Social Entrepreneurship, or an employer interested in connecting with our business students and would like to learn more about internship or recruitment opportunities, please contact me. I look forward to working with you!

Education

Master of Arts in Communication Studies, Eastern Illinois University
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Eastern Illinois University

College of Law Career & Professional Development

Lisa Doster
Director of Career & Professional Development
lisa.doster@belmont.edu | 615.460.8249
Location: Baskin Center 102
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Lisa joined Belmont in January 2015 with more than 15 years of experience supporting law students and law school graduates at Vanderbilt University Law School, where she specialized in assisting students seeking careers in public interest law. Her background also includes positions in corporate training and in human resources.

Lisa supports law students and alumni with job strategy, professional development and career counseling services. Additionally, she conducts employer outreach, facilitates Belmont’s American Inn of Court chapter, and coordinates the Peer Mentor Program. Lisa also compiles required reporting statistics for the American Bar Association and the National Association for Law Placement.

Lisa holds a B.B.A. with a concentration in management from Belmont University. She is a member of Lawyers Association for Women and regularly volunteers with The Next Door, Jobs for Life, and the Nashville Food Project.

Michael Jordan
Career Advisor & Program Assistant
michael.jordan@belmont.edu | 615.460.8254
Location: Baskin Center 102
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As a Career Advisor and Program Assistant, Michael meets with students to discuss job search strategies, drafting application materials, and preparing for interviews. He works with legal employers to coordinate On-Campus Interviews, internships, and other employment opportunities. He helps with the Peer Mentor Program and manages Belmont's American Inn of Court chapter.

Originally from Nashville, Michael received his B.A. in Spanish: Culture Studies at Emory & Henry College in Virginia. He then moved to Puerto Rico and taught English at an elementary school. After two years, he returned to Music City where he worked in retail and taught English as a Second Language to adults. Through one of these ESL connections, Michael had the opportunity to move to Bhutan where he was the reading instructor at private school in Thimphu. After a year in the Land of the Thunder Dragon, Michael moved to Arizona to pursue a M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language at Northern Arizona University. There he spent his time studying and teaching English Composition.

After graduation, Michael moved back to Nashville where he was an adjunct English teacher at a community college and worked at the corporate office of a Fortune 500 company. Michael then moved to Indiana where he spent more than three years as a Career Advisor at Indiana University. In his downtime he was a Community Ambassador and helped international students as they navigate life in America.

Alix Rogers
Public Interest Coordinator
alexandra.rogers@belmont.edu | (615) 460-8250
Location: Location: Baskin Center 102
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Alix Rogers joined Belmont Law in 2022 as the Public Interest Coordinator. Prior to joining the College of Law, Alix worked as a staff attorney for Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, where she represented clients in family, housing, consumer, employment, and re-entry matters. In 2021, Alix was named the New Advocate of the Year by Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services. She was also awarded the Drake Holliday Award by Legal Aid Society for her work organizing legal clinics.

Alix earned her undergraduate degree from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, and her law degree from Belmont University College of Law. While in law school, Alix completed two field placements with the Legal Aid Society. She also served as the Family Law Society President and Clinic Coordinator for Belmont’s Legal Aid Society, where she logged over 450 pro bono hours and was awarded the Tennessee Supreme Court Law Student for Justice Award. Alix currently serves as the Access to Justice and Restoration Coordinator for the Tennessee Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division and was awarded the Star of the Quarter award in 2019 and the President’s Special Recognition Award in 2021 for her public service work. She also serves as a board member for Community Helpers of Rutherford County and Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services.

Career Outcomes Data

Vision

As champions of occupational wellness and leaders in career development, we will collaborate with campus advocates and community partners to empower Belmont students and graduates to flourish and make the world a better place.

Mission

We equip students and graduates to explore their interests, pursue purpose, develop career readiness skills, form meaningful relationships, and achieve career goals.

Statement of Inclusion

We provide access to inclusive, equitable services, resources, and opportunities so that every student may flourish and live lives of purpose and abundance.

Core Values

Collaboration, Initiative, Inquiry, Integrity, and Purpose