NACE Fall 2023 Town Hall

Career Level: Basic-, intermediate-, and advanced-level career services, university relations and recruiting, and business affiliate professionals
Competency: Research
Fee: FREE (member); $89 (nonmember);

Summary

Join us for an impactful NACE Town Hall, where we will delve into two critical issues that are shaping our professional landscape: the end of affirmative action and NACE's unpaid internships statement. We kick off with insights from a member poll, shedding light on the thoughts and concerns of professionals like you regarding these pressing matters. Then, we transition to a compelling panel discussion that delves deeper into these pivotal topics.

In June 2023, the Supreme Court made a landmark decision, ending Affirmative Action in college admissions by ruling out the use of race as a determining factor. The implications of this decision extend far and wide, impacting both educational institutions and employers alike. Together, we will explore the far-reaching effects of this ruling and its implications.

Moreover, we'll address NACE's recent release of a position statement advocating for the abolition of unpaid internships, calling for federal intervention. This statement places a strong emphasis on equity, emphasizing the inherent inequalities perpetuated by unpaid internships and championing the need for change. We firmly believe that all internships should be paid, and we're urging policymakers to take action on this issue.

This webinar offers a unique opportunity for us to come together as we collectively strive for a more equitable future. Don't miss out on this chance to engage with these critical issues and be part of the change.
Presenters

Shawn VanDerziel, President & Chief Executive Officer, NACE
As president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, Shawn VanDerziel leads the association of 18,000 college career services professionals, university relations and recruiting professionals, and business solution providers that serve the community. As a leading voice on the employment of the college educated and advocate for equitable outcomes for all students, VanDerziel is featured regularly as an industry expert and is a sought-after speaker on a range of topics, including internships, hiring, career readiness, and trends in the workforce and college job market. Prior to joining the NACE staff, VanDerziel was with the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago for 23 years, where he most recently served as chief human resources officer and as chief of staff. His earlier roles included corporate recruiting with Norrell Corporation and a position in higher education as associate director of student enrollment at National Louis University.

Matthew Brink, Chief Programs and Content Officer, NACE
Matthew Brink is chief content and programs officer for the National Association of Colleges and Employers. He oversees professional development services, meetings and events, content, and all research initiatives. An experienced professional in the field, Brink has overseen career services in a variety of institutions, including, most recently, the University of Delaware, and has been active in employer-focused activities.

Dawn Carter, Director, Global Talent Acquisition Programs, Uber

Vanessa Strauss, Senior Advisor, Human Resources, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Vanessa Alexander Strauss is a senior advisor in human resources, Division of Administration (DOA), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). In her position as senior advisor, she is responsible for performing a wide-range of managerial and technical assignments relating to the design, development, and implementation of human resource management policies and programs. She currently oversees FDIC Summer Scholar Student Internship Program, FDIC’s Special Assistant Program, and a host of other corporate-wide programs and activities. Strauss routinely serves as a resource in the development of employee and managerial training and leadership programs in support of the goals of the FDIC. Her philosophy is “everyone can make a difference.” Strauss has been a featured speaker on a variety of human resources topics at colleges and universities across the United States. She served as a member of the Executive Board of the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers. She was elected to the NACE Board and served on for six years, advancing to serve as NACE president (2006-07). She continues to be an active member of the association.

Charles Jennings Jr., Director, Career & Professional Development Center, North Carolina Central University
Charles Jennings began his journey in the career services world in 1999, when he started working at the Job Connection Center of Goodwill Industries. He continued on that path by working in positions at the Georgia Department of Labor and Augusta Technical College in subsequent years. In 2014, Jennings decided to transition into the world of higher education by working in the career centers at various universities. From that time, he has held positions at the University of Baltimore, Tennessee State University, and Princeton University. In April, Jennings began serving as the director of the Career and Professional Development Center at North Carolina Central University. In addition to his 23 years of career services experience, Jennings possesses a journalism degree with an emphasis in telecommunication arts from the University of Georgia. He also has obtained his Global Career Development Facilitator certification and is certified in administering the Strong Interest Inventory Assessment. Jennings has been a member of NACE since he started working in higher education, but he became actively involved in 2018. He served in the NACE Mentor Program during the 2021-2022 year. Jennings has also been active within the People of Color Affinity Affinity Group (he served as co-lead from 2019 to 2021), the HBCU Affinity Group, and the Employer Membership Identification Task Force (he was co-chair from 2021 to 2022). Jennings was also a member of the 2022-23 Honors and Awards Committee.

Emanuel Contomanolis PhD, Associate Dean, Academic Engagement, Harvard University-Mignone Center for Career Success
Manny Contomanolis, Ph.D., serves as senior associate vice president for Employer Engagement and Career Design at Northeastern University. He was the past president of NACE and Middle Atlantic Association of Colleges and Employers as well as a member of the NACE Academy of Fellows and recipient of the NACE Kauffman award. He is also a speaker, consultant, and author.