Mission
Transforming Oregon State University into a leading career-centered university
Vision
The Cascades Career Design Center team supports students in cultivating professional skills and relationships to thrive in and adapt to an emerging and dynamic workforce.
We seek to accomplish our vision by:
- Providing opportunities for career design throughout each year of our students' educational journeys at OSU-Cascades.
- Identifying equitable ways for students to engage in relationship building and grown their network to support their career growth.
- Collaborating with OSU-Cascades faculty and staff in their efforts to stay ahead of industry trends, embed career readiness into coursework and integrate experiential learning across all programs.
Values
We are student centered: Student success is central to our decision-making process.
We are a team: We pursue healthy and productive working relationships through open communication, mutual respect and celebration.
We value relationships: We believe that building and maintaining strong relationships is critical for student success.
We listen: We practice respectful dialogue, seek input from different perspectives and find common ground.
We focus: We align our energy, strengths and resources to achieve our goals.
We are adaptable: We are resourceful, curious and see opportunity in order to adjust to new and changing circumstances.
Staff
Cynthia Engel
Director, Career Design Center
cynthia.engel@osucascades.edu
Student Success Center 110H
Credentials:
MA, Ed Policy and Administration (Comparative and International Development Education): University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
BA, French: University of Oregon Honors College, Eugene, OR
Cynthia Engel is an experienced leader in global career development with over 25 years in higher education and international education. As Director of Career Services at OSU-Cascades, she leverages her expertise in program innovation, strategic partnerships, and inclusive career readiness to empower students for success in a global workforce.
Jen Hoffmann
Assistant Director of Career Integration
jen.hoffmann@osucascades.edu
Student Success Center 110J
Credentials:
M.S. in Experiential Education: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
B.A. in Psychology: University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Jen is a dedicated leader in experiential education with over 20 years of experience spanning K–12, higher education, and nonprofit sectors. As Assistant Director of Experiential Learning at OSU–Cascades, she drives strategic initiatives that embed career readiness into academics and empowers students to transform their education into real-world impact.
Jeremy Hansen
Assistant Director, Career Design Center
jeremy.hansen@osucascades.edu
Student Success Center 110I
Credentials:
B.A. in Philosophy: University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certification
With over 15 years of experience in education, Jeremy has honed his skills in the classroom as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at an international school, working with students from around the world. He also worked as an academic and behavioral coach for college students and young adults before accepting the position of career advisor at OSU-Cascades. Jeremy has also lived abroad in Uppsala, Sweden and Seoul, South Korea. Outside of work, Jeremy enjoys the company of the mountains, through hiking, camping, and snowboarding.
Kim Vierra
Program Manager, College of Business
kimberly.vierra@osucascades.edu
541-706-2048
Tykeson Hall 328
Emma Robbins
Student Career Assistant
robbiemm@oregonstate.edu
Emma is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Development & Family Sciences (HDFS). She also works on-campus as a Resident Assistant (RA), so she can probably answer any questions you may have about OSU-Cascades. In her free time, which is quite rare, she likes to read, go shopping, play tennis, and go on road trips.
Ella Merkel
Student Career Assistant
merkele@oregonstate.edu
Ella is a sophomore at OSU-Cascades majoring in Environmental Science. Having worked jobs across multiple different industries, she enjoys sharing her experiences with others. In her free time Ella enjoys spending time with horses, doing watercolor paintings of her pets, and making soap.