Meet Our Staff
Executive Director
Shannon E. Rodriguez
518-580-5794
Pronouns: She/her
Role in the team: As executive director, I design and implement comprehensive career services that
empower students for success in today's competitive job market. I also leverage expertise
in higher education and student development to drive strategic initiatives and foster
meaningful partnerships.
Best spot in Saratoga: Saratoga Tea & Honey
Favorite activity outside of work: Gardening, kayaking, snowshoeing.
Brianna Battiste
Senior Assistant Director of Employer Relations/Summer Experience Fund Manager
Pronouns: She/Her
518-580-8265
Role in the Team:
I connect employers to Â鶹Æƽâ°æ and work with students/alumni interested in careers in finance. I manage the Summer Experiences Survey, and my signature programs include The Summer Experience Fund, Internship Expo, Wall Street 101, and Peer Advisor Network.
Best spot in Saratoga:
Saratoga Farmers' market, Roosevelt Baths, SPAC.
Favorite activity outside of work:
I love to bring my German Shepherd lab on hikes in the Adirondacks.
Rachel Chase
Assistant Director of Career Development
Pronouns: She/Her
518-580-8216
Role in the Team:
Career advisor with a specialty in health and science. I serve on the Health Professions Advising Committee (HPAC).
Best spot in Saratoga:
Anywhere there is swimming! You'll find me at the Â鶹Æƽâ°æ pool all winter and in various Adirondack lakes all summer.
Favorite activity outside of work:
I identify as a maker and enjoy learning new tools and methods. I always have an in-progress project such as woodworking, soldering or maple sugaring.
Kristen Flynn
Temporary Program Coordinator
Pronouns: She/Her
518-580-5790
Role in the Team:
Overseeing the Zankel Experience Network (ZEN) initiatives of Summer Experience Fund and ZEN Mentoring programs.
Best spot in Saratoga:
Walking the Spring Run trail with coffee followed by lunch at Scallions (fried green tomatoes are a must!)
Favorite activity outside of work:
Hiking in the Adirondacks and baking sourdough bread.
Michelle Hubbs
Associate Director of Civic Engagement
Pronouns: She/Her
518-580-5798
Role in the Team:
Career advisor with a specialty in careers with social impact, non-profits, and community service. I serve on the Institutional Planning and Policy Committee (IPPC), as advisor to the student club, Benefaction, and regularly partner with our Civic Engagement faculty, particularly Applied Civic Engagement (ACE) courses. I also specialize in resources and programming for international students. My signature programs include: The Professional Success Series.
Best spot in Saratoga:
Canfield Casino and a concert at SPAC!
Favorite activity outside of work:
I enjoy playing tennis and fostering cats.
Lauren Sisson
Associate Director of Career Development
Pronouns: She/Her
518-580-5793
Role in the Team:
Career advisor with a specialty in arts, media, communications, and marketing. I also specialize in resources and programming for students with disabilities, and serve as a liaison to Alumni Relations & Campus Events. My signature programs include: Career Jam and the ZEN Mentoring Program.
Best spot in Saratoga:
I enjoy Uncommon Grounds caramel iced lattes (extra shot of espresso, always) and their bagels.
Favorite activity outside of work:
I love diving into a new drama series.
Nicole Todd
Assistant Director of Employer Relations
Pronouns: She/Her
518-580-5791
Role in the Team:
I connect employers to Â鶹Æƽâ°æ and work with students/alumni interested in careers in data science and technology. I manage the First Destinations Survey, and specialize in resources and programming for international students. My signature programs include: Career Connections and Data Science & Tech Mini Conference.
Best spot in Saratoga:
Saratoga Spa State Park.
Favorite activity outside of work:
Canoeing and camping.
Zachary VanGalder
Associate Director
of Inclusive Career Exploration
Pronouns: He/Him
518-580-5797
Role in the Team:
Career advisor with a specialty in government & policy, politics, international affairs, sustainability and consulting. I also serve as the pre-law advisor, specialize in early engagement, and lead several diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. My signature programs include: The Winter Job Shadow Program and First to Future: A Networking and Personal Branding Dinner for First Generation College Students.
Best spot in Saratoga:
I have a deep love for ice cream and my favorite spot is Humpty Dumpty’s which I find not a lot of people know about! Give it a try!
Favorite activity outside of work:
Nature walking.
Idalia I. Sepúlveda
Staff Assistant Database/Website Coordinator
Pronouns: She/Her
518-580-5673
Role in the Team:
I support our Executive Director, professional staff, and Career Corps to provide career services to the Â鶹Æƽâ°æ community. I also manage website updates, Handshake, and process all budget requests.
Best spot in Saratoga:
"People watching" downtown Saratoga over some Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream.
Favorite activity outside of work:
Birdwatching and spending time with familia.