Shannon Zelek
Senior Director of Career Development
As the Senior Director of Career Development, Shannon oversees the O’Brien Center for Career Development including educational workshops, signature career development events and all opportunities that promote career-readiness across campus. Shannon’s previous Merrimack positions focused on building relationships with area employers interested in recruiting our students.
Shannon earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and organizational science from Coe College and her master’s degree in higher education from Merrimack College as a first-generation college student. She came to campus with experience in Admission in the Midwest before finding her home in career development.
What does Shannon wish she knew about career development when she was in college?
It’s okay to meet with an advisor or participate in an event, even if you are unsure of what you’d like to do in the future. These appointments and events are meant to be ways you can learn about different career opportunities in your field(s) of interest. You can network with alumni who were in your shoes and hear about their career paths, hear about a job title you didn’t know existed, and so much more by just joining in!
Chris Milliken
Senior Director, Employer Engagement and Experiential Partnership Development
Chris joined Merrimack College in the fall of 2022. In Chris’s role as Senior Director of Employer Engagement and Experiential Partnership Development, he serves as a primary resource for employers who are interested in recruitment, brand building and strategic engagement at the College.
Chris came to Merrimack College after spending four years at the University of Washington where he led employer relations for the Career Center at The Foster School of Business. He also brings 12 years of campus recruiting and university relations experience with major corporations including Hilton, Accenture, LinkedIn, Amazon, BP and Lockheed Martin. At these organizations, Chris managed strategic relationships with partner universities to recruit for internships and graduate roles in multiple disciplines. These include various business and engineering disciplines, computer science and environmental sciences.
Chris also brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the development and implementation of internship programs, leadership development programs and diversity programs. He is passionate about supporting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and would be happy to support your organization with such initiatives at Merrimack College.
Chris earned his bachelor’s in communication arts and Spanish from Framingham State University and a master’s in higher education administration from Northeastern University. Chris is a proud first-generation college student.
What does Chris wish he knew about career development when he was in college?
Networking and mentorships can be a powerful tool for career development. Reaching out to alumni can be a simple and effective way to explore career paths and opportunities while expanding your professional network. Participating in mentoring programs can be an opportunity to take ownership of your professional development while creating long-lasting relationships. LinkedIn is one of the best tools for expanding your network and for identifying mentors.
Lauri Gibbons
Assistant Dean, Warriors at Work
Lauri Gibbons has been a dedicated member of the Merrimack College community for 17 years, serving in a variety of roles across campus. Throughout her career, she has supported students and faculty in numerous capacities, most recently as the Assistant Dean of Advising and Student Services for the School of Arts and Sciences. In this role, she worked closely with students to guide their academic journeys and provide personalized support.
Lauri joined the career & experiential learning team in 2025 as the Assistant Dean of Career & Experiential Learning for the Warriors at Work Cohort of 2029. In this position, she will leverage her extensive experience to connect students with meaningful co-op, internship and career opportunities, ensuring they are prepared to thrive in both academic and professional settings.
Christina Soto
Assistant Dean of Career & Experiential Learning, Warriors at Work
Christina Soto is one of the assistant deans of career & experiential learning, where she helps lead the Warriors at Work program class of 2028—supporting these students in building career readiness and preparing them for internships, co-ops and post-graduate opportunities.
With over 15 years of experience at Merrimack College, from the registrar’s office, academic advising and student support, Christina brings a holistic approach to student development. She collaborates with faculty and advisors to align career preparation with academic goals, manages a mentoring program and integrates digital tools like LinkedIn Learning, Handshake and Quinncia to enhance skill-building.
Christina also supports students through their co-op experiences and plays a key role in assessing and improving programming. She is an active presence on campus and is committed to helping students turn their college experience into meaningful professional outcomes.
Amy Shirley
Associate Vice President and Dean of Career & Experiential Learning
Amy serves as the Associate Vice President and Dean of Career & Experiential Learning, focusing on creating opportunities for students to have clear pathways to commencement, innovation in career development and developing successful outcomes. Overseeing efforts of Student Advising and Services, the O’Brien Center for Career Development and Employer Engagement, her goal is to provide the experiences for students to develop skills that will prepare them for a successful future. Amy is dedicated to creating partnerships and stewarding relationships with industry leaders to enhance programs and pathways for students. She is committed to working with students, helping them become great advocates for their interests and providing the support they need to reach their goals. She knows that Merrimack is a place where students can explore their curiosities, challenge their intellects and find relationships that will motivate and inspire them.
Amy has extensive experience in higher education and student affairs. She has worked in student activities, residence life, admission, advising and alumni relations. She successfully develops partnerships with campus colleagues and industry leaders to best address the concerns of students.
What is the best piece of advice you can give to students about career development?
Your academic experience is important and so are all of your experiences outside of the classroom. Building skills through experiences and learning how to connect your strengths will help you find a career where you can be successful and proud of your accomplishments. College is the time to try new things and learn from everything and everyone around you. As St. Augustine said, “You aspire to do great things? Begin with the little ones.”
Ellen Boyle
Assistant Director, Marketing & Student Outreach
Ellen re-joined the O’Brien Center team in October 2022 after working in marketing for a public library where she promoted library services and resources to the community.
Prior to that, Ellen was a graduate fellow in the O’Brien Center where she led marketing campaigns that encouraged students to network with one another, participate in internships and strengthen their professional development skills.
Ellen earned her master’s in higher education and master’s in marketing management from Merrimack College, and her bachelor’s in TV/video production from Hofstra University.
What is the best piece of advice you can give to students about career development?
“It’s okay to change your mind or adjust your goals! Your degree does not necessarily define your career trajectory for the rest of your life. If you’re unsure of your career path, focus on transferable skills such as leadership, project management, teamwork, and solid interviewing skills to prove yourself to a potential employer. My career has already spanned at least 3 different industries! ”
Jessica Bungerz
Assistant Director of Employer Relations and Engagement
Jessica joined Merrimack’s team in January 2023 as the Assistant Director of Employer Relations and Engagement. Prior to joining the team, Jessica worked in corporate recruiting and human resources where she streamlined communication between candidates and clients.
Jessica is a Double Warrior and earned her bachelor’s in management and her master’s in management from Merrimack College.
What does Jess wish she knew about career development when she was in college?
It’s never too early to think about your future. Merrimack made the career center and other resources very accessible, and I took advantage of the resources but not until later in my college career. I wish that I had known as soon as freshman year it can be useful to pave the way and explore career opportunities. There are so many ways to grow, develop and make connections.
Audrey Byerley
Assistant Director, Career Development and Outcomes
Audrey joined Merrimack’s team in 2022. Prior to this Audrey worked in various customer service and relations roles where building professional relationships was a key focus of her job.
Audrey earned her bachelor’s degree from Endicott College with a major in English literature and language and a minor in business administration and recently completed a master’s degree in English from Southern New Hampshire University.
What is the best piece of advice you can give to students about career development?
Building relationships to further your career development doesn’t have to be scary. Being personable and having a positive attitude is a great way to make lasting professional connections. Having worked in various different fields, I’ve had the opportunity to see how different fields can be intertwined by interpersonal connections that can expand your network!
Megan Cesvette
Director, Graduate Student Professional Services
As the Director of Graduate Student Professional Services at Merrimack College, Megan Cesvette leads initiatives that support graduate student development and experiential learning opportunities. She works closely with students to help them gain hands-on experience, build professional networks, and explore career paths through opportunities like the Graduate Fellowship Program. Megan also serves as an adjunct professor, where she enjoys mentoring students in both academic and professional settings.
Megan earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science before pursuing her master’s degree at Merrimack College. As a Graduate Fellow herself, she discovered a passion for student support and mentorship, which ultimately launched her career in higher education. Today, she brings that same energy and insight to her work, helping students navigate their own professional journeys.
What advice do you have for graduate students looking to make the most out of their time at Merrimack?
Your graduate program is more than coursework. It’s a chance to build experience, make connections, and shape your future. Make the most of fellowships, on-campus roles, and networking opportunities. These experiences can influence your career path just as much as what you learn in the classroom. Take advantage of every chance to get involved; you never know which opportunity will open the next door.
Margo McLennan
Margo joined the O’Brien Center team in August 2025 as a marketing & student outreach fellow. Her most recent experience was in the fintech industry, where she played an integral role in the execution of three successful brand launches.
Prior to that, Margo’s career in business communication and messaging strategy spanned a variety of fields, from agriculture to education to real estate. This breadth of professional experience has allowed her to oversee a diverse portfolio of projects, including press releases, corporate policies, sales scripts, grant proposals, product sheets and more .
Margo earned her bachelor’s in English from University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is currently pursuing her master’s in communication with a concentration in business analytics from Merrimack College.
What is the best piece of advice you can give to students about career development?
Careers, and thus career development, are often not linear. Remain flexible and open-minded to possibilities rather than being hard-pressed on following one rigid set of expectations. Having specific career goals is great, but it’s important to also remember that there are positions, teams, companies and industries that you’ve never heard of. Be open to the fact that you may come across something totally unexpected that ends up being a perfect fit for you.
