THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY - Key Persons


Aaron Klein

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director of Industry Connections
Aaron joined the Career Success team after working in international education at The Ohio State University and Texas A&M University. His previous experiences include managing international internships and programs, collegiate athletics, residence life, and new student programming. A native of Illinois, Aaron received his B.S. in Recreation, Sport and Tourism and his M.Ed. in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Ohio State. In his role, he develops meaningful relationships with industry in order to enhance career and professional success for students pursuing an arts and sciences education. Aaron connects with industries that are seeking talent from the following Career Communities: Science and Research Healthcare and Wellness Journalism, Sports, Entertainment and Productio n

Addie Cheney

Job Titles:
  • Director of Graduate Student Professional Success
As the inaugural Director of Graduate Student Professional Success, Addie will facilitate outreach and provide leadership in initiatives that integrate employers and alumni into graduate student career-related support services, such as skill development trainings, consultation, resource development, and enhanced connections with hiring organizations and/or PhD alumni. Addie will establish partnerships across campus to support and co-construct an ideal future service structure that will aid graduate students moving into a wide range of professional practices. Addie holds a bachelor's degree in German Studies from Miami University of Ohio and is a proud alumna of The Ohio State University's College of Arts and Sciences, having earned a Master of Arts in Germanic Languages. She is currently pursuing a second masters in Workforce Development here at Ohio State.

Andrew Freeman

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director of Industry Connections
Andrew joined Career Success in 2022, coming to us from The OSU Wexner Medical Center. His own career includes 20 years in the events industry in Columbus and Seattle, and as a volunteer performer with community choruses in both cities. Andrew has served as president of two non-profit boards, and as interim executive director of an arts organization. His experiences and skills provide a vast and diverse network from which he can draw, to connect industry communities with ASC students. He holds a bachelor's in liberal studies from Bowling Green State University, and a master's in healthcare innovation from The Ohio State University. Andrew is honored to create opportunities for ASC students cultivating their success and to connect them with professional communities seeking top talent. Andrew connects with industries that are seeking talent from the following Career Communities: Visual, Written and Performing Arts Government, International Affairs and Public Policy Education, Non-Profit and Social Service

Barbara C. Harvey

A native of Chicago, Barbara earned a B.A. in Applied Behavioral Science and an M.S. in Community Counseling from National Louis University in Illinois. She joined the Center for Career and Professional Success in 2019, bringing her experience in community mental health and her experience working with continuing education for adult learners at NLU. Barbara is excited to encourage students to explore and embrace opportunities that allow them to stretch and grow their professional goals. Barbara provides career coaching for students in the following Career Communities:

Christian Schaefer

Christian joined the Career Services team after working in the advertising and hospitality industries. Born and raised in the Columbus metro area, Christian earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Wright State University and a Digital Marketing Certificate from Colorado State University (Pueblo). He has worked in administrative and director positions for live performances and catering events. In his role, he will be assisting with hospitality and concierge services for employer outreach events, along with coordinating in-person, virtual, and hybrid employer-to-student engagements.

Danelle Bradley

Job Titles:
  • Business Operations Associate
Bradley.747@osu.eduDanelle joined Career Success as our Business Operations Associate in August 2022, bringing prior IT experience from Liberty HealthShare. Danelle graduated from Tiffin University in May 2021 with a B.S. in Computer Science. She is currently pursuing a M.S. in Data Analytics at Tiffin University. In her role, Danelle will identify and integrate new and emerging career management technology to enhance student success, collaborate with the team to complete website edits, work with marketing manager to create educational Handshake marketing collateral, and improve excellence in event-related technology. She also provides operational and administrative support to the Industry Connections and Career Communities teams to facilitate efficient connection between students and employers.

Hansen Rallis

Job Titles:
  • Office Associate
Hansen joined the College of Arts and Sciences Center for Career and Professional Success in November of 2022. Having graduated from The Ohio State University from the College of Arts and Sciences with an English degree, he has direct experiences with the processes and services he will now help provide. Hansen looks forward to providing administrative and operational support to the staff and students, allowing them to achieve their goals and encourage them to push beyond their limits. He also Loves meeting new people and is excited to get to know everyone

James A. Sims II

Job Titles:
  • Marketing Manager
James brings a diverse educational and professional background to include having earned a master's degree in Marketing and Communications, military service as a U.S. Army Public Affairs Officer and years of experience in marketing and branding in a variety of public and private sectors. Additionally, James brings considerable experience in higher education to our Career and Professional Success department, after having spent more than 15 years as an Adjunct Professor with both Columbus State Community College and Franklin University. In his role, James oversees marketing and branding for the center.

Kayli Futty

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director of Industry Connections
Kayli joined Career Success in 2022, coming to us from within Ohio State as an Access Specialist, providing direct support to students with disabilities with in Natural and Mathematical Sciences. In that role, she collaborated with employers with diversity initiatives to host recruiting events for the DS student population. Prior to that, Kayli worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, providing comprehensive, career-opportunity focused rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. She holds a bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Kent State University and a Master of Arts in Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Arizona. Kayli is excited to focus her work on enriching student connections with meaningful career opportunities. She enjoys partnering with employers on programming that meets the needs and addresses the interests of the diverse student body within arts and sciences. She places an emphasis on equity and inclusion to diminish barriers and increase access within the workspace for all students. Kayli connects with industries that are seeking talent from the following Career Communities: Technology, Data and Analytics Finance, Management, Consulting, Management and Sales Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations

Lori Bolton

Job Titles:
  • Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations
After 14 years away from OSU Lori has returned to career services. She previously worked in Career Services at The OSU Marion Regional campus, in the College of Medicine and with the College of Public Health. She spent time as an academic advisor working with all majors and preparing students to transition from high school to college, transfer from two-year programs to four-year programs, and enter the workforce or move on to professional degree programs. Lori believes that students' diverse backgrounds and experiences are their greatest strengths, and she will work with each student to cultivate, promote, and celebrate their individual talents. Her education includes both a MS in Education with a focus on higher education counseling and a BS in Business Management with a minor in communications. Lori is a lifelong Ohioan and considers herself to be a National Park geek, visiting over twenty parks so far. Lori provides career coaching for students in the following Career Communities:

Madelyn Kindig

Madelyn joined the Career Success team in October of 2022. Although originally from northern Indiana, Madelyn has lived and worked in Germany, Czech Republic, and Italy within the last seven years. She earned her B.A. in World Language Studies with a focus in German and history from Indiana University South Bend, M.A. in Germanic Languages and Literatures from The Ohio State University, and a certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Trinity College London. Madelyn also gained experience in areas such as intercultural competence, higher education, translation, editing, and business. Madelyn enjoys empowering students to build and use their skills to help envision their professional goals. She looks forward to working directly with students in their career communities to foster an environment of compassion, curiosity, and confidence. Madelyn provides career coaching for students in the following Career Communities:

Maggie Kruth

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Maggie graduated from Miami University in 2018. After earning her Masters in Education from Johns Hopkins University and teaching high school English for two years in Dallas, TX, Maggie returned to Ohio to be closer to family and friends. Maggie has been part of The Ohio State Community for just over a year, working with students as a Career Coach. She is passionate about bringing empathy and understanding to the table in order to support and advocate for students and their needs.

Megan D'Angelo

Megan joined the Career Success team in November 2021. After graduating from Bowling Green State University with a B.S. in Dietetics in 2018, she completed her M.Ed in College Student Personnel at Ohio University in 2021. She has gained experience working with campus programming, career and leadership development, first-year student programs and classroom instruction. Megan is excited to serve as a resource while providing encouragement and empathy for students as they pursue their career goals. Megan position will provide career coaching for students in the following Career Communities:

Scott Kustis

Scott joined the Center for Career and Professional Success in October 2005 as a career prep advisor, and eventually moving into an assistant director role. In this role, Scott advised students on ways to build their resumes and professional competencies. He also coordinated the annual Ohio State Spring Career Fair, and served as the manager for employer relations. In August 2018, Scott was appointed to the newly established role of Director of Industry Connections. In this role, Scott leads his team as they build relationships with businesses and brands interested in hiring high caliber and diverse talent, ready to help organizations tackle their 21st century challenges. Scott connects with industries that are seeking talent from the following Career Communities: Entrepreneurship

Stephanie Ford

Job Titles:
  • Director, Career Communities
Stephanie has been with the College of Arts and Sciences Center for Career and Professional Success since August 2005. Prior to joining the office, she was the Director of the Career Center at Wittenberg University and held a Career Counselor position with Ohio State's Career Counseling & Support Services office from 1997-2000. She has a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Southern Illinois University/Carbondale and has worked in Higher Education, holding positions in counseling, career services, human resources, and course instruction, since 1990. Her bachelor's degree is in Psychology from The Ohio State University. Stephanie provides primary leadership to the Career Communities Team. In this role, she oversees the career coaching service and delivery of events aimed at supporting students in the discovery of career options and maximizing their success when searching for resume builders and career employment. She also works in collaboration with the Director of Industry Connections to lead The Buckeye Advantage initiative aimed at supporting students in the development of their readiness competencies.

Tricia Zelaya-Leon

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Dean
For over 20 years, Tricia Zelaya-Leon has served students and the field of higher education in multiple capacities. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, she earned her BS in Spanish Education and her MA in Higher Education, both from Ohio University. She began her professional career in housing at Ohio State, during which time she also completed her PhD in Higher Education and Student Affairs. From there, Tricia took her leadership to large and small institutions across the country, holding positions in graduate education, student development and assessment, and student success. Most noteworthy have been her contributions to the field of career services, where she has dedicated herself to implementing intentional initiatives that better prepare today's college graduates for meaningful and productive career success. She is an active contributor to the field through her scholarship and engagement within the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and local and regional executive boards. Tricia most recently served as the Director of the Center for Career and Professional Development at Kalamazoo College in southwest Michigan. She is thrilled to rejoin the OSU community, and to help Arts and Sciences students apply their learning and skills to meaningful and rewarding careers! When not at work, you can find Tricia baking, watching sports, and enjoying time with her family.