The UNC Charlotte Career Center proudly recognized exceptional faculty and staff at this year’s Career Collaborator Awards Ceremony. This is an annual celebration honoring the collective commitment to advancing student career success across campus. Held each spring, the event highlights individuals who intentionally and innovatively embed career readiness into the student experience, helping to prepare Charlotte students for meaningful, purpose-driven futures.
The Career Collaborative, a network of dedicated faculty and staff, plays a vital role in this effort by championing career development within and beyond the classroom. Through strategic partnerships, experiential learning, and student-centered initiatives, these collaborators exemplify what it means to create a culture of career readiness at UNC Charlotte.
As the University continues to advance career readiness as a core pillar of the Charlotte Model strategic plan, Shaping What’s Next, the impact of cross-campus collaboration has never been more evident. This year’s award recipients embody the power of collective effort in equipping students with the skills, confidence, and experiences needed to thrive in an evolving workforce
It is with great excitement that we celebrate the outstanding faculty and staff who have set the standard for career collaboration this year. Join us in congratulating the 2026 Career Collaborator Award recipients!
The Game Changer Awards, presented by Assistant Director Lori Brasile recognize those who integrate new career education into academic programs and actively connect students with experiential opportunities.
- Katie Tomer (Associate Director in the Center for Wellness Promotion) redefined the Peer Health Education program into a pre-professional pipeline that prepares students with career-ready skills and clear career paths. Also, she replaced performance reviews with “Career Trajectory Audits,” embedding ongoing, goal-focused career development into supervision.
- Dr. Farzana Ferdous (Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences) built a department-wide career development strategy, including a strategic plan, career resources website, and programming that prepares Biology students for the workforce. Also, Dr. Ferdous expanded student career exposure by hosting panels, integrating career content into courses, and connecting students with alumni, employers, and industry professionals.
Assistant Director Elona Ellis presented the Innovator Awards, honoring individuals who launched new initiatives this year to enhance career readiness across campus.
- Carmalita Govan (Director of Professional Education for Graduate Studies in the College of Computing and Informatics (CCI). Transformed graduate career readiness in tech. In just her second year, she developed targeted professional development programs and built strong industry partnerships, creating a direct pipeline from advanced computing programs to competitive, high-impact careers.
- Dr. Kaustavi Sarkar (Associate Professor of Dance), she created internship opportunities for dance majors pursuing graduate education and founded the Odyssey/Odissi conference, now in its sixth year, bringing over 200 global artists and scholars to UNC Charlotte while creating student employment and leadership opportunities. Also, she leads the Dance and Community Research Institute, hiring students across disciplines to support archival, outreach, and creative work.
Presented by Program Manager Dr. Suzanne Voigt, the Spotlight Awards recognize faculty and staff who consistently collaborate with the Career Center to support student development through events, programs, and initiatives. These recipients have also been featured throughout the year in Career Center publications and social media.
Part of the Office of Undergraduate Education and led by Associate Dean of Advising and Experiential Learning and Executive Director Dr. Patrick Madsen, the Career Center at UNC Charlotte is committed to providing comprehensive, innovative services and resources for students, alumni, and employers that prepare Charlotte graduates for the competitive global market.
The Career Center team strives to prepare and connect every Charlotte student with intentional programming, readily available resources, and experiential learning opportunities as they create meaningful career journeys. More than 60% of Charlotte students utilize the Career Center’s programs and services, and nearly 80% of Charlotte seniors have participated in some type of experiential learning by graduation. Experiential learning including internships, co-ops, study abroad, gig training, micro-internships, and more. More information is available at career.charlotte.edu.