CLA Employer Engagement

Associate Director of Employer & Alumni Engagement | She/Her/Hers

reine346@umn.edu

My career journey began when I took a chance on a Career Services internship during graduate school. I was preparing to become a licensed counselor but decided to change directions after experiencing how fun and rewarding Career Services can be. I have been in the field ever since and wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve worn many hats since that first experience including career counselor, supervisor, mentor, event planner, partnerships developer, grant manager, and internship coordinator. In my current role, I get to think strategically about how we engage with employers and alumni. Internships and short-term projects are what helped me carve out a path for my future and I love being able to connect CLA students to meaningful experiences for their own growth and professional development.  

Assistant Director, Employer Engagement | She/Her/Hers
612-625-9358
hoffm115@umn.edu
hirecla@umn.edu

Relator | Learner | Achiever | Responsibility | Arranger

Beth has been working to build connections between organizations and CLA students since 2004. Prior to joining CLA Career Services in 2003 in a communications role, Beth held a variety of positions in private and public industry, including communications consulting for public relations firm Lilja, Inc.; employee communications, training and development, and staffing/recruiting for information management company Merrill Corporation; managing editor for national business publication Quirk’s Marketing Research Review; and admissions counselor for the University of St. Thomas.

Beth holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from St. Catherine University, along with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and speech communications from the University of St. Thomas.

External Engagement Coordinator | She/Her/Hers

cpher@umn.edu 

Connection and compassion are words that I have learned to use to describe the inner core of values that drive what I do in my day to day interactions, whether that be through personal or professional relationships. 

I thrive in piecing together complicated processes and naturally enjoy creating more streamlined operations that can be easily digested by others. Collaborative environments allow me to share and highlight my organizational and communication skills, and I aim to lead and support in ways that each environment may need. I am both data and heart driven. I see the value in numbers but know that the purpose of the data and the use of it can fuel a much larger and important goal. Figuring out the ‘why’ is pivotal to establishing the ‘how’. 

As a first-generation person of color liberal arts student, and now, a professional working in the liberal arts atmosphere, I am excited to be able to lend a hand in shaping resources and connections for the next generation of underrepresented students, and all students looking to find the next step in their career.

Some questions that I continue to reflect upon include: How do I show up in the spaces that I occupy with the truest version of myself? How do I have conversations with others in a way that allows for authentic connections? What skills do I have that I can lean into and share with others in both my personal and professional life? 

Some quick facts: I am a Hmong-American woman, and a first generation student. I enjoy the occasional cup of coffee before noon, road trips, traveling, trying out new (to me) restaurants and experiences, and creating meaningful and genuine relationships.

Coordinator of Employer & Alumni Engagement | He/Him, They/Them

yang8949@umn.edu

Tonny is a Gender Fluid Hmong Person who is passionate about creating opportunities for all students. Tonny received their B.A. in Communication Studies and their M.S. in College Counseling and Student Development from St. Cloud State University. As a first-generation college student, Tonny had no idea about all of the different opportunities that were available to them. Like many immigrant families, their parents only saw four possible career paths; a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, or a failure. After a challenging journey, navigating their family expectations and following their own path, they were able to find their way into higher education. The journey was not perfect and there were a lot of mistakes, but there were also many beautiful moments talking with mentors about the right path for themself. Now, Tonny is passionate about creating opportunities and making those opportunities visible to all students; especially BIPOC, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and all underrepresented student populations. 

Tonny loves food! As food is a universal language and is always looking to discover amazing cuisine. Tonny also loves wearing all sorts of hair, turbans, and earrings; And hiking, art fairs, and traveling.