Skip to main content
Career Center Homepage

About

 

Your SCU Career Center Team

 

Dylan Houle headshot new

Dylan Houle, Ed.D.
Executive Director, Career Center

LinkedIn logo with blue background. View LinkedIn Profile »

I'm excited to come to work each day to help deliver on the promise of higher education for all of our students: a good job, social capital, and economic mobility in pursuit of a more humane, just, and sustainable world. I'm honored to be your Executive Director and I look forward to all we will accomplish together.

Read the Monthly Director's Message:
2026: July | June | May | Apr | Mar | Feb | Jan | 2025: Dec | Nov | Oct | Sept | Aug | July | June | May | Apr | Mar | Feb | Jan | 2024: Dec | Nov | Oct | Sept | Aug | July | June | May | Apr | Mar | Feb | Jan | 2023: Dec | Nov | Oct | Sept | Aug | July | June | May | Apr | Mar | Feb | Jan | 2022: Dec | Nov | Oct | Sept

 

Career Development Team

 

Person wearing glasses and a colorful scarf, smiling outdoors.

Noël Kreidler
Director, Career Development & Campus Integration

LinkedIn logo with blue background.View LinkedIn Profile »

Noël Kreidler enjoys supporting students in discovering career paths where they can fully express their interests and talents in the workplace, and collaborating with campus partners to develop initiatives that connect students with their passion. Her background includes 25+ years of experience as a Human Resources professional in a variety of geographic and business environments, including tech, retail, non-profit and consulting as well as 8+ years of experience as a Career Services professional at Santa Clara University and The University of Arizona.  As a person with a physical disability, she is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and sits on the Board of Directors for two non-profits that champion inclusion for people with disabilities in the workplace and the housing community. She has a MEd with a Counseling and Human Relations emphasis from Northern Arizona University and a BA in Economics with a minor in Human Resources from The University of Arizona.  In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, art, reading, writing, interior design and spending time with family and friends.

meet the team Vania Tong

Vania Tong
Associate Director, Career Development & Campus Integration - STEM

LinkedIn logo with blue background. View LinkedIn Profile »

我會說廣東話和普通話。/ 我会说广东话和普通话。

Vania is a firm believer that career, in all of its adventurous, anxiety-provoking, exciting, and frustrating realities, is rarely linear. Hence, she has a strong passion for and commitment to partnering with students and the greater campus community to empower students with the tools, framework, courage, and confidence to pursue and actualize their professional goals. In her tenure as a non-profit and higher-ed professional, Vania has pivoted nimbly and effectively between being an empathetic coach and strategic program designer. Her work has supported refugees & asylees, new immigrant youth, first-gen students, and university students across Los Angeles, New York City, Peru, and the greater Bay Area. Vania holds a a M.S. in Social Work, focusing on program design & evaluation and international social welfare from Columbia University and a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts, with a minor in Cognitive Science (Human Computer Interaction) from the University of California, San Diego.

Shauna Strauss

Shauna Strauss
Associate Director, Career Development & Campus Integration - Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences 

LinkedIn logo with blue background.View LinkedIn Profile »

Shauna brings to the Career Center nearly 8 years of experience and expertise in career development and coaching within higher education. She enjoys working with students at every stage of their career development process, from career discovery to salary negotiation and beyond. Shauna aims to support every student on their distinct academic and career path by fostering connections and collaboration across campus. Previously, she supported the Leavey School of Business Graduate Business Students in Career Development as Sr. Associate Director for Online Programs and Employer Relations. Originally from the East Coast, Shauna completed her MBA at Hofstra University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Studio Art from St. Mary's College of Maryland.

 

Myriam Headshot

Myriam Bartz, MBA
Assistant Director, Career Development - Graduate Students and Alumni

LinkedIn logo with blue background. View LinkedIn Profile »

Yo hablo español.

Myriam joins the Career Center with extensive career transition and coaching experience with the largest providers of Global Career Placement Solutions and the Technology Industry. She is passionate about inspiring students and alumni to realize their best selves by leveraging their strengths, unique value, and purpose so they can create internship and job search strategies to pursue meaningful work and meet the needs of the community and the industry.  Her background includes 15+ years of experience for a leading technology company in Customer Service, and the Executive Briefing Center as a Program Manager putting together technology briefing events with cross-functional teams for customers from Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Myriam holds a coaching certification from the International Coaching Federation with an emphasis in Positive Psychology and an MBA from Golden Gate University.

Jessica Li 250x250 headshot.png

Jessica Li
Assistant Director, Career Development - Business & Entrepreneurship

LinkedIn logo with blue background. View LinkedIn Profile »

With over a decade of dedicated career coaching, counseling, and recruiting experience, Jessica is thrilled to support Santa Clara University students as they navigate their professional journeys. Her diverse background spans multiple facets of the career landscape—from working within a non-profit to guide first-generation students of color to and through college, to recruiting for a tech company and coaching career changers breaking into the technology sector. Most recently, Jessica spent four years at the University of San Francisco’s career center, supporting all undergraduate student populations.

Jessica holds a Master of Science in Counseling (Specialization in Career Counseling and Emphasis in College Counseling) from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Drama with a minor in Educational Studies from the University of California, Irvine.

ankit Ankit Singh

Ankit Singh
Graduate Intern, Career Development Coach

LinkedIn logo with blue background. View LinkedIn Profile »

MBA candidate at Santa Clara University focusing on Product Strategy and Marketing. His background combines software engineering at Amazon, Seattle, with a STEM foundation through an MS in Computer Science. Passionate about business, AI/ML, and career development, Ankit mentors students in crafting impactful resumes, optimizing LinkedIn profiles, and navigating job searches with clarity and confidence. He believes consistent, small steps in the right direction can unlock success, even from the most unexpected opportunities

 

Emma Stecher Emma Stecher

Emma Stecher
Graduate Intern, Career Development Coach

LinkedIn logo with blue background. View LinkedIn Profile »

Yo hablo español.

Emma Stecher is a Graduate Intern with the Career Center and is a master’s student in the Counseling Psychology program on the MFT/LPC track with an emphasis in Latinx counseling. She brings an extensive background of working in various research and academic settings including SCU both as a research assistant and teacher for primarily middle school and high school aged students. She is passionate about helping students navigate their careers regardless of where they are in the process. Emma believes that establishing a career path is a journey. The exploration and clarity of that process can be intimidating. However, with helpful insight and resources, the career process can become more manageable. She is excited to serve our students as SCU has provided a meaningful and rewarding community network for her own personal and career growth. Outside of work Emma enjoys photography, watching good movies, reading fictional novels, and spending time with her friends and family in San Francisco.

 

Kavya Sharma

Kavya Sharma
Graduate Intern, Data Analyst and Web Management 

LinkedIn logo with blue background. View LinkedIn Profile »

Kavya Sharma is a Graduate Intern with the Career Center and a master's student in Computer Science and Engineering at Santa Clara University. She brings experience in data analytics, dashboard development, web design, and student support through her work across multiple departments at SCU. Passionate about using data to improve decision-making and student experiences, Kavya enjoys transforming complex information into meaningful insights and creating intuitive digital resources that help students navigate their career journeys.

Having worked closely with students and university staff in a variety of roles, Kavya understands that every career path is unique. She believes that combining thoughtful guidance with accessible resources and data-informed strategies empowers students to make confident decisions about their academic and professional futures. She is excited to contribute to the Career Center's mission of supporting students through innovative technology, engaging digital experiences, and meaningful career development.

Outside of work, Kavya enjoys building software projects, exploring new technologies, traveling, discovering new cafés, and spending time with friends and family.

 

 

Employer Relations Team

 

200 x 200

Melissa Thiriez
Director, Employer Relations & Partnerships

LinkedIn logo with blue background. View LinkedIn Profile »

Yo hablo español.

Melissa (she/her) aims to build meaningful connections between students and organizations, foster diverse talent pipelines, and create inclusive workplaces that drive both personal and organizational growth. Melissa joined SCU after working in nonprofits, K-12 education, and one tech startup. She graduated with a MA in Education from Claremont Graduate University and a BA in Psychology from Scripps College.

Mary Saetern headshot 150x150

Mary Saetern
Assistant Director, Employer Relations - Business & Entrepreneurship

LinkedIn logo with blue background. View LinkedIn Profile »

Mary has a passion for ensuring every student has the opportunity to build a meaningful career. She joins Santa Clara University after 9 years at Intuitive Surgical, a pioneer in robotic-assisted surgery, where she was a key player in developing their university hiring programs. She was born and raised in the city of Santa Clara and has always admired SCU values and community. She graduated from Sonoma State University with a BA in Liberal Studies with emphasis in Life Sciences and a minor in Philosophy. She is excited to join the career center team and support the talented students pursuing careers in business and entrepreneurship.

Zarina Yamat headshot

Zarina Yamat
Assistant Director, Employer Relations - STEM & Innovation

LinkedIn logo with blue background. View LinkedIn Profile »

As an SCU alumna (BS in Sociology), Zarina is excited to be back on campus after more than 20 years in HR & talent acquisition. Her work primarily focused on STEM roles within the medical device, biotech, and automotive industries. She is enthusiastic about helping students explore their career goals and is eager to leverage her background to develop strong relationships and expand opportunities between SCU and employers. She is thrilled to be part of the career center team and looks forward to supporting fellow Broncos in their pursuit for STEM opportunities.

Brooke Menesini headshot.

Brooke Menesini
Assistant Director, Employer Relations - Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

LinkedIn logo with blue background. View LinkedIn Profile »

Brooke comes to Santa Clara University with a diverse background in various industries, including serving as a senior account executive with Stanford Athletics and as a manager of the San Jose Earthquakes' Quakes University program. She is passionate about bridging the gap between students and the workforce with knowledge of building relationships, training new hires, and community engagement. She graduated with an MBA from Western Governors University and a BS in Sports Management and Marketing from Menlo College. She is excited to join the Career Center team and support students in their career exploration.

Jason Geng 250x250 headshot.png

Jason Geng
Graduate Intern, Employer Relations

LinkedIn logo with blue background. View LinkedIn Profile »

With an academic background in STEM, Jason enjoys helping students prepare for career-related conversations and present their experiences in a clear, thoughtful way. At SCU, Jason is especially interested in how students and employers connect, and how students can better understand the value of their own experiences. He appreciates practical preparation, clear communication, and conversations that help students feel more ready for what comes next. Outside of work and class, he enjoys watching movies, revisiting the Harry Potter series, and learning how people think about different topics.

Joshua Gan headshot

Joshua Gan
Graduate Intern, Employer Relations

LinkedIn logo with blue background. View LinkedIn Profile »

Joshua Gan is a full-time father of three young children, and is currently pursuing an MBA at Santa Clara University. Joshua relocated to the US in August 2024 with his family. Joshua most recently led the Corporate Development team at NTUC First Campus, a social enterprise and one of Singapore's largest Early Childhood Care and Education service providers, operating 170+ preschool centers across the country, serving more than 25'000 children and their families every year. Prior to that, Joshua oversaw the Asia-Pacific region for the world's #1 hospitality management university EHL Hospitality Business School, leading its regional strategy and team for almost a decade.


Contact & Directions

To Contact the Career Center:

Phone: (408) 554-4421

Email: careercenter@scu.edu

 

Map

Map of SCU Campus.

The Career Center is in the west wing on the first floor of Benson Memorial Center.

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Friday (Virtual)
9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 

Jason Gao

Jason Gao
Graduate Intern, Career Development Coach

LinkedIn logo with blue background. View LinkedIn Profile »

我会说普通话和英语。 /  I speak Mandarin and English.

Jason brings a global business perspective and a deeply personal understanding of career transition to the Career Development team. Before relocating to the United States, he spent over two decades in China holding leadership, consulting, market research, and business development roles, working alongside leading multinational and local companies across the retail and consumer goods industries. He also founded and led a successful consulting business dedicated to strengthening strategic partnerships and elevating business performance.

Upon moving to the Bay Area, Jason embarked on a new chapter of his own career journey while pursuing a STEM MBA at Santa Clara University. This firsthand experience gave him a profound appreciation for the unique challenges faced by international students, career changers, and professionals striving to translate their global expertise into the U.S. market.

Jason is passionate about empowering students to discover their unique value, build confidence, and bridge their academic and professional experiences with meaningful career paths. He specializes in supporting students with cross-cultural communication, strategic networking, career storytelling, and navigating opportunities across business, technology, consulting, and global organizations.