The Career Services Team

Who We Are

Carolyn Vue, Senior Career Coach | Denise Felder, Associate Director | Katie Niznik, Career Coach | Nick Goffard, Senior Career Coach | Tina Zillhart, Employer Relations Coordinator

What We Do

Career appointments are one-on-one meetings up to 60 minutes offered on campus or virtually (Zoom) for current CEHD students and recent alumni (2 years after graduation). Schedule your appointment at: cehdcareerservices.appointments.umn.edu.

Drop-In Sessions are 15-minute, virtual (Zoom) chats with members of our Career Team offered weekly during the academic year (September to May).

Career events led by our Career Team are opportunities for students and recent alumni to explore majors and careers, connect with employers and experienced alumni, and get insights about yourself and the work world. Add upcoming events to your calendar.

Employers have a variety of specialized opportunities to connect with CEHD students and alumni that are coordinated by our Career Team.

Carolyn Vue | she/her

Senior Career Coach
vuexx211@umn.edu | 612-626-2550
Carolyn on LinkedIn

Education and credentials:
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Youth Studies, and Master of Science in Counseling and Student Personnel with an emphasis in College Student Affairs

Myers-Briggs: 
ISFJ

What’s important to me: 
My family ♥️

What motivates me: 
Seeking joy in life and inspiring others to do the same.

What makes me smile: 
Flowers dancing in the wind, the sound of leaves rustling, the clouds moving in the sky. There is a simplicity to nature that brings out the best in me.

What I do in CEHD Career Services: 
I like to think of my job as inspiring individuals to discover who they are and how that knowledge can empower them to live their best lives. 

Carolyn Vue portrait Carolyn Vue ice skating

In my own words:
Hi! Nyob Zoo! My name is Carolyn Vue and I use she/her pronouns. I like to think of myself as a baking enthusiast with a love for romantic comedies and lighthearted sitcoms. My favorite Korean drama is "Crash Landing on You" and my favorite dessert is Triple chocolate cake, who can resist either! I also enjoy cooking, gardening, paddle boarding, diy projects, and organizing. One of the things I would do if I had $10 million is start an organization that provides micro funding for businesses, scholarships, and unpaid internships!


Denise Felder | she/her

Associate Director
felde035@umn.edu | 612-624-4650
Denise on LinkedIn

Education and credentials:

  • Masters in Community Psychology from Metropolitan State University
  • Bachelor's in Journalism and a minor in African American Studies from Boston University
  • Equity and Diversity Certificate (ECHO) from University of Minnesota’s Office of Equity and Diversity
  • Certified Offender Job Retention for Correctional Professionals from National Institute of Corrections
  • Certified Poverty Awareness Coach from Communications Across Barriers

Myers-Briggs:
INFJ

Strengths: 
Connectedness | Learner | Strategic | Input | Achiever

Other indicators:

  • Strong Interests (RIASEC): Investigative, Social, Artistic
  • Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw
Denise Felder portrait Denise Felder with Iron Man

Favorite book or TV show or movie or podcast:
"Hot Fuzz," "Star Trek" (2009 movie), "The Wiz" (all versions), "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (TV show not the movie)

I’m passionate about:
Encouraging Everyday People make informed decisions that impact their lives and communities.

What makes me smile:
Otters, puppies, baby elephants and alpacas 

If I had $10 million:
I’d set up multiple scholarships and grants so everyone who wanted a degree or workforce credential could afford to continue their education and have enjoyable and economically viable work lives. I’d also buy a few houses for my family and me to live close to each other. Then I’d travel the world, starting with several African countries. 

Inspirational quote or motto:
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” - Arthur Ashe ·


Katie Niznik | she/her

Career Coach
kniznik@umn.edu
Katie on LinkedIn

Education and credentials:

  • Bachelors in Marketing and Human Resources from Dordt University
  • Masters in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (Higher Ed track) from the University of Minnesota

Myers-Briggs:
INTJ

Strengths: 
Achiever | Learner | Developer | Futuristic | Individualization

Other indicators:

  • Enneagram 3
  • Hogwarts House: Slytherin
Katie Niznik portrait Katie Niznik standing in a stream

Interests and hobbies:
Crafting, board games, planning themed house parties, hiking, thrifting

Favorite movies:
“Storks,” “Little Women” (1994 version), “Miss Congeniality,” “Rookie of the Year,” any of the Harry Potters

Favorite food:
Buffalo wings or ice cream

Dream Job:
Nail Polish Color Namer

What’s important to me:
My family (including my Corgi/Australian Shepherd Mix, Beau)

I’m passionate about:
Being a life-long learner. I am always picking up new hobbies or taking classes or attending webinars. I love learning new things and exploring new places.

What scares me:
I will not watch a scary movie. I even cover my ears during the scary movie trailers in the movie theater. The last scary movie I watched was “When a Stranger Calls” in middle school and it was traumatic enough to not watch one since. My fear of ticks is a close second.

Fun fact:
The first word I could spell was “Minnesota” because my dad taught me the University of Minnesota rouser when I was two years old.

Inspirational quote or motto:
“Sometimes you gotta work a little so you can ball a lot.” -Tom Haverford, “Parks and Recreation”


Nick Goffard | he/him

Senior Career Coach
ngoffard@umn.edu | 612-625-5307
Nick on LinkedIn

Education and credentials: 

  • M.A. in Leadership in Student Affairs | University of St. Thomas - Minnesota
  • B.A. in Sociology and Organizational Communication | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
  • 2021 Outstanding New Career Services Professional | HireBig10+ Consortium
  • Equity and Diversity Certificate (ECHO) | Office of Equity and Diversity, University of Minnesota

Myers-Briggs: 
ESFP

Nick Goffard portrait Nick Goffard climbing a rope in a gymnasium.

Strengths: 
Arranger | Woo | Communication | Positivity | Connectedness

Other indicators:

  • Enneagram: 7
  • Hogwarts House: Gryffindor
  • Zodiac sign: Capricorn

My story:
As a child, I knew I was destined to help others. After years of playing doctor on any toys I could get my hands on, my parents found it fitting it push me down a pre-med track. As a first-generation, closeted college student, I accepted this plan because I couldn’t visualize a future of my own. After taking my first biology course, I quickly realized the medical field wasn’t for me, and that I had more exploring to do. Through the support of my academic advisor and career counselor, I took unique classes and joined student organizations to learn more about my values, identities, and self. Eventually, I landed on majors in sociology and communications, both complimenting my lifelong interests of people, societal issues, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Today, as a proud LGBTQ+ professional, I take great pride in being able to invest in students’ lives and help them plan for fulfilling futures. I strive to offer an accepting space for all students while helping them establish action steps to reach their individualized goals. I am an effective communicator who enjoys incorporating fun, humor, and inclusion into my work. Some of my strengths include project management, advocating for students, and engaging audiences in fun, captivating ways.

Outside of work, you’ll typically find me at my local CrossFit gym in Uptown Minneapolis, sipping on cold brew coffee year round, or attempting to pet as many dogs as I can. A fun fact about me is that I ran my very first marathon in October 2021. I am an Enneagram 7, meaning I’m often the life of the party, starting a new hobby, and planning my next vacation. Self-care for me comes in the forms of naps with my dog, Mr. Feeny, binge watching reality TV, or trying out new restaurants in the Twin Cities with my partner.


Tina Zillhart | she/her

Employer Relations Coordinator
zill0041@umn.edu | 612-626-7432
Tina on LinkedIn

Education and credentials: 
Undergraduate degree in History and Political Science, with a Masters in Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development with a concentration in higher education. 

Myers-Briggs: 
INTJ

Strengths: 
Context, Connectedness, Intellection, Analytical, Input

Other indicators:
Hogwarts House: A proud Slytherin 

Tina Zillhart portrait Tina Zillhart wearning a Bee Kind hat

Interests and hobbies: 
Love to go hiking with my dog, all times of the year (especially in winter!); Spending quality time with family and friends.

Favorite book or TV show or movie or podcast: 
"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" (very specifically the first movie; the rest of the trilogy is great but the first holds a special place in my heart). 

Favorite food: 
Juicy Lucy

What’s important to me: 
My family, friends and community

What motivates me: 
Being the best person I can be for my family, friends and community

I’m passionate about: 
Social justice and advocacy for the needs of students

What makes me smile: 
The beauty of nature, the laugh of those I love, when my dog is acting silly, and a good meme!

If I had $10 million: 
I would pay off the debt of those I love; then, go on a world traveling adventure! 

Inspirational quote or motto: 
“There is good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for.” -Samwise Gamgee, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers