2025 Spring Conference

Register here

Registration is open until April 18, or until capacity is reached. 

Pricing:

Member: $59

Non-member: $99

Retirees, students and job seekers: $45

Member panelists, speakers: $45

Schedule is subject to slight modifications

8:00 -8:30 am          Check-in, breakfast treats, networking

8:30- 9:00 am            Welcome from Normandale and MCDA membership announcements (President)

9:00 – 10:00 am         Keynote: Dr. Kareem Watts

10:00 – 10:10 am      Break

10:10– 11:20 am      Session 1: Breakout sessions and Careers in Career Development panel

11:20 – 12:20 pm    Lunch & Networking

12:20- 1:30pm          Session 2: Employer panel

1:30  – 1:40pm         Break

1:40 – 2:50 pm        Session 3: Breakout sessions

2:50 – 3:00pm Break

3:00 – 3:45 pm           Awards & Closing

We’re thrilled to welcome keynote speaker Dr. Kareem Watts, also known as Kareem Elevated. A Hip Hop Artist, Poet, Educator, and Diversity Practitioner. Through resilience in the face of adversity, Kareem became Dr. Watts in May 2024, proving that reinvention isn’t just possible—it’s necessary for growth. His arts-based research focuses on hip-hop pedagogy (HHP) for Black college student success.

Bio: Dr. Kareem Watts (aka Kareem Elevated) is a Hip Hop Artist & Poet, Educator, and Diversity Practitioner with over 16 years of experience as a musician and higher education administrator, including his work as an adjunct professor. He currently serves as the Director of the Hedgeman Center at Hamline University and is the former President of the Minnesota Chapter of the American College Personnel Association (MN ACPA). Through resilience in the face of adversity, Kareem became Dr. Watts in May 2024, proving that reinvention isn’t just possible—it’s necessary for growth. His arts-based research focuses on hip hop pedagogy (HHP) for Black college student success. In 2024, Dr. Watts had the privilege of presenting his research at his first international conference, the 7th Annual European Hip Hop Studies Network in Ireland. The final chapter of his dissertation study features his new album, Flo-etic Storytelling Mixtape Ch.5. A poet and storyteller at heart, Kareem aims to decolonize higher education, promoting equity and inclusion to empower marginalized students and professionals for success and belonging.

Skills-Based Hiring Practices: A Powerful Design for Job Seekers and Career Counselors. 

Allen Mavis, Senior Specialist, Goodwill Easter Seals/Consultant, Facilitator, Minnesota Skills Based Hiring Accelerator

SESSION DESCRIPTION

Skills-based hiring has grown significantly in popularity across many industries as employers shift their focus from traditional degree requirements to demonstrated competencies. Whether a student, job seeker, or employer, competencies and skills are the absolute foundation that allow us to work and develop as individuals and together in workplaces. From education to the entirety of the employee experience – job descriptions, interviews, onboarding, advancement; it is a new and deeper focus on competencies and skills that will provide an accurate, supportive, and all-embracing process for everyone in the workforce community going forward. This session will open up the discovery concerning the true power that lies within competencies and skills as they build successful and competitive workplaces and develop confident, empowered, productive employees.     

PRESENTER BIO

Allen Mavis brings a 20-year history of providing individual and group employment development services to a vast demographic. Educationally, he holds a Master’s in Education with a specialty in career and technical curriculum, a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Science, and a Human Resources Generalist certification from the University of Minnesota. Allen’s current position as a Senior Workforce Development Training Specialist has him supporting 150 human service staff in competency onboarding and professional development. Allen is also an active business consultant / instructor in skills-based hiring, retention, and employee advancement practices to HR and business teams. He has developed a nationally recognized skills-based delivery model alongside the Minneapolis and St. Paul Chambers of Commerce, and the Twin Cities Metro County Workforce Boards.

Careers for Career Professionals

This panel will answer the question  ‘Where do career professionals work?’  Each panelist will represent one of the five common work settings of career practitioners:  Higher Education, Nonprofit, Government, Private Practice, and Outplacement.  We’ll learn about the clients they serve, the services they provide, current trends, the qualifications needed to work in these settings, and hear their own personal stories!  We’ll allow time at the end for questions from the audience.

Moderator: Brandon Beaulieu, Goodwill- Easter Seals 

Panelists: 

• Denise Felder, University of Minnesota 
• Andrew Larson, HIRED (DWP, Hennepin County) 
• Cindy Larson, State of Minnesota CareerForce 
• Dean DeGroot, Self-Employed, Innerview Consulting 
• Shelley Jensen Decker, Ascend 

Using Humor and Metaphorical Thinking in Career Development. 

Darren Kaltved, Associate Director, Career Services, Anya Mukraj, Student, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota

SESSION DESCRIPTION

Over the past few years there have been many ups and downs, winding roads and roadblocks in the job market. Yet, there remains one constant that has helped us all adapt, grow and move forward through the tough times; that constant is humor. What better way to help our students and clients going through similar challenges than to incorporate humor, and metaphorical concepts that provide them the hope and development they so deserve and need in establishing their own legacy.

With the idea that laughter is the best medicine and makes us feel better, we thought it would be fun to explore the concept of using humor and metaphorical thinking in our career counseling, advising and coaching work. During these very stressful, and challenging times it’s extremely important to gain perspective and to step back and laugh, relate concepts to commonalities, and explore how to use humor and context relationships in our work in all settings.

PRESENTER BIOS

Darren Kaltved currently serves as the Associate Director of Career Services for the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. He brings over 22 years of quality practitioner experience in career and professional development, was a nominee for National Career Counselor of the Year (NCDA), and has held numerous local and national professional leadership roles. Darren is known for being a “maximizer” and “metaphorical genius,” and loves playing a vital role in assisting students/clients in making their career dreams become a reality. He recently co-authored a book titled “Love at First Interview: 8 Steps to Land a Job”. Darren earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and a Master’s degree in Student Personnel Administration from Springfield College. Fun Facts: Darren was a finalist for the show The Amazing Race, has hiked Mt. Rainier and Mt. Hood, and has over 100 constructed lego sets. 

Anya Mukraj is a junior at the University of Minnesota, pursuing a double major in Human Resource Development and Dance, with a minor in Management. She currently serves as a Career Services Intern at the School of Public Health, where she helps enhance career resources, plan events, and foster professional connections. Passionate about building strong interpersonal relationships, Anya strives to create inclusive and equitable environments in both professional and artistic spaces. Her work bridges human development, organizational strategy, and creative expression, preparing her for a career centered on people, growth, and impact.

Career Play: Counseling Strategies for Wonder, Choice, and Joy

Room: P1808

Vic Massaglia, Michael Stebleton, Abby Wilfert, University of Minnesota

SESSION DESCRIPTION

Career scholar John Krumboltz encouraged career educators to ask their clients a key question: “What fun will you next try?” When discussing career planning, an important element often goes unnamed: the relevance of play. Our session will provide some context regarding how the concept of play has been applied to career counseling settings. More specifically, we will examine and discuss with participants how play principles can be applied to career advising and career development processes. Although the focus will be on how counselors can use play to support clients, we will do an exercise that asks attendees to apply play concepts to their own lives. The method of presentation will be largely discussion and interactive. The session is aimed at all audiences and levels.

PRESENTER BIOS

Vic Massaglia is the Director of Career Services at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and a PhD student in Higher Education. His research interests include character and identity development, spiritual growth, and social activism.

Michael J. Stebleton is Professor of Higher Education in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. His scholarly interests focus on career development.

Abby Wilfert is a Graduate Instructor and Higher Education PhD Candidate in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Her research pertains to career development through experiential learning.

Job Search Success: The Employer Perspective

An employer panel of five (5) recruiters representing a variety of industries and organizations will share information on their hiring processes, current job market and future employment needs.  We’ll be asking them how we can help coach candidates to stand out from the crowd of applicants!

Join us to gain insight into how recent events and AI are impacting changes in the workplace and recruiting.

Employer Panelists:

1. Mychelle Bridgeford, Greater Twin Cities United Way

2. Christopher Buckley, National Marrow Donor Program

3. Elizabeth Diley, Medtronic

4. Erin Koolen, Beacon Hill 

5. Carolyn Rice, MN Department of Human Services

 From Career Counseling to AI Coaching: The Evolving Role of Career Advisors. 

Amy Meyer, Academic Advisor & Career Counselor, Winona State University

SESSION DESCRIPTION

Generative AI is rapidly transforming the job search process, forcing career professionals to evolve from traditional advising roles into AI mentors. As AI reshapes hiring practices, we must equip students with the skills to leverage AI effectively while maintaining authenticity.

This session, based on sabbatical research, will explore AI’s impact on career advising and provide practical strategies for integrating AI into job search and graduate school coaching. Attendees will learn how to teach students AI competency, navigate ethical concerns, and position themselves as essential guides in an era of AI-driven hiring.

Key Takeaways:
–  Why career professionals must act now—AI’s growing role in hiring and applicant tracking systems.
–  How to coach students on AI usage—boosting effectiveness for resumes, cover letters, interviews, and graduate school applications.
–  How to future-proof career advising—becoming AI mentors rather than being replaced by AI technologies.

Interactive Demo:  Attendees will preview new AI-powered career resources launching at Winona State University in Fall 2025, including a specialized job search chatbot. 

This session is ideal for career professionals seeking to stay ahead of AI trends and enhance their advising strategies.

PRESENTER BIO

Amy Meyer is an academic advisor and career counselor at Winona State University, where she has guided students in their career development for 13 years. Currently on sabbatical, she is researching the effective use of generative AI in job searches and graduate school applications. Prior to higher education, Amy spent 20 years in the software industry in roles including software developer, product manager, and director of product and solution marketing. She is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance student success and prepare our future professionals for an evolving job market.

Bridging the Gap: Using eLearning to Enhance Career Development

Room: P1840

Vic Massaglia, Director of the Career & Professional Development Center at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health

Jamie Eibs, Adhora Madhuri, Anya Mukraj, Jadyn Pye are students in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota.

SESSION DESCRIPTION

This breakout session explores the transformative potential of eLearning platforms in career development. Participants will discover how these digital tools can create accessible, dynamic, and personalized learning experiences for individuals seeking to enhance their career readiness. We will showcase practical applications for topics such as job preparation, networking, interviewing, and the development of both hard and soft skills. Attendees will gain insights into effective practices and content strategies for utilizing eLearning to empower their audiences and foster personal and professional advancement.

PRESENTER BIOS

Vic Massaglia is the Director of the Career Services at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health. He is on a mission to guide and support individuals navigating life’s transitions by fostering meaningful connections and inspiring positive change in the world. His approach is to work with compassion, continually developing his craft of facilitation, coaching, and teaching. He aims to help people discover their gifts and become their best selves. He is deeply passionate about social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and is at his best when serving others. 

Jaimie Eibs is a senior at the University of Minnesota double majoring in Psychology and Human Resource Development. She works at the School of Public Health (SPH) Career Services office as a Human Resource Development intern where she collaborates with other student workers and career counselors to achieve optimal learning and growth outcomes for both students and staff of SPH. Jaimie has a strong interest in employee engagement, as well as training and development which drives most of her projects and efforts at Career Services.

Adhora Madhuri is a second-year graduate student in the Epidemiology program at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health (SPH) and is currently serving as a Graduate Student Assistant at SPH Career Services. As an international student from Bangladesh, she is passionate about health equity, and one day wants to contribute to epidemiological research that will reduce health disparities and increase medical access to those residing in marginalized, low-income communities. She is also the Co-founder and Secretary of the International Students in Public Health organization at the school and aims to foster professional and academic collaboration and cultivation among the diverse student groups at the School of Public Health. 

Anya Mukraj is a junior at the University of Minnesota, pursuing a double major in Human Resource Development (HRD) and Dance, with a minor in Management. She currently serves as an HRD intern at the School of Public Health Career Services office, where she helps enhance career resources, plan events, and foster professional connections. Passionate about building strong interpersonal relationships, Anya strives to create inclusive and equitable environments in both professional and artistic spaces. Her work bridges human development, organizational strategy, and creative expression, preparing her for a career centered on people, growth, and impact.

Jadyn Pye is a current senior at the University of Minnesota, working as a Human Resource Development (HRD) intern at the School of Public Health Career Services. She is majoring in business and marketing education and is working towards her certificate in HRD. Her current role with the School of Public Health is leading their marketing and communications initiatives along with coordinating their eLearning platform, Canvas, to better reach and help a larger number of students. 

Wellbeing at Work – Building Individual and Organizational Resilience. Beth Johnson, CliftonStrengths trainer/coach, Redtail Communications

SESSION DESCRIPTION

Just as the flight attendant’s instructions are to put the mask on before assisting others, its imperative organizational leaders take ownership of their own wellbeing before considering the wellbeing of their team members. You’ve perhaps been in a workshop where the focus was on how to ensure the wellbeing of your team, but you can’t shake the thought, “what about me?” In addition to looking at what leaders can do for their team; we will encourage participants to reflect on their own wellbeing. Gallup reports that 28% of U.S. employees experience burnout on the job very often or always. This session examines the five elements of wellbeing from the Gallup book, Wellbeing at Work, How to Build Resilient and Thriving Teams. The five elements are (in order of importance): career, social, financial, community and physical. Exploration of all five elements of wellbeing aims to cultivate the whole person at work.

PRESENTER BIO

Beth Johnson is a lifelong learner and communicator with a master’s degree in educational administration. After working in the public sector in education and communications, she spent 14 years in professional services marketing before focusing on coaching and training for groups and business owners through her business, RedTail Communications. As a certified CliftonStrengths coach, she is energized by working with teams and individuals to explore how understanding what we bring to a group and what we need from a group promotes wellbeing and greater job satisfaction.

Supporting Uniquely-Wired (Neurodivergent) Individuals

Room: P1808

Donna Addkison, ADHD Coach (Business, Career, Life and Academics), Wither & Tynes, LLC 

SESSION DESCRIPTION

This engaging session offers career development and coaching professionals an opportunity to expand their approaches to support neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD, Autism, OCD, and other neurodevelopmental differences. The presentation will delve into the complex narratives surrounding neurodiversity, exploring the intersection of mythology, modern scientific research, and contemporary media reporting. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of all neurodivergent individuals offer, challenges they face in the current era, and commonly co-occurring physical and mental health conditions. The discussion will highlight key elements for developing individually-tailored strategies for support in academic, training, and various workplace settings.

Key Takeaways:
–  Debunking Myths: Examine historical and cultural myths surrounding neurodivergent conditions, particularly ADHD, to foster higher levels of informed awareness.
–  Scientific Insights: Engage with the latest scientific research on neurodivergent conditions, highlighting their genetic underpinnings.
–  Strengths-Based Coaching: Learn how to focus on leveraging strengths rather than focusing only on addressing challenges, fostering confidence and building self-worth.
–  Practical Tools and Techniques: Explore effective methods, tools and resources for working with uniquely-wired brains/bodies including analog tools, assistive technology, and AI.

PRESENTER BIO

Donna Addkison — College instructor. High-ranking state government appointee. Liaison to National Guard, Highway Patrol, State Emergency Management Agency. High-ranking city government appointee. Chief Development Officer in Post-Katrina New Orleans. Executive at regional and national organizations. Chambers of Commerce, economic development foundations. Entrepreneur. Consultant. Published writer. ADHD Coach.

After several high-pressure careers, a handful of hurricanes, and a pandemic, Donna decided it was time to figure out what allowed her to see the world differently, be viewed as successful, and yet feel so unsure of herself and her abilities much less understand what caused all those problematic things across careers and relationships. Diagnosed with ADHD after turning 50, Donna decided it was time find a better way. She turned to ADDCA for help understanding her brain. She was given so much more. Donna found WHO she is, WHAT impacts her brain, HOW to manage the pesky and revel in the sparkly parts of her neurodivergence.

And! She found her path as an ADHD coach, partnering with individuals, partners, and households to rebuild hope, regain choice, and refine unique approaches to be the WHO they are while doing the WHAT they need and want to do. Her clients come from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. They are working toward a dizzying assortment of collegiate, graduate level, and professional pursuits.

When she’s not coaching, teaching yoga, or writing, Donna can be found wandering, gardening, biking, listening to live music, volunteering, or playing with her two grandsons or three rescued Yorkshire Terriers. Originally from the Deep South, Donna now calls Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota home.

Credentials: Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coaching Federation (ICF); Professional Certified ADHD Coach (PCAC), Professional Association for ADHD Coaches; Master of Science, Criminal Justice; Master of Arts, Political Science; Bachelor of Arts, English with Honors in Political Science

Each year, nominations are accepted for any of our MCDA Awards.  Award winners will be announced, with additional networking time and refreshments to follow.

Our conference will be held at the Partnership Center of Normandale Community College 

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