Career Advising Team

Office Life
Kerry joined UMass Lowell in 2013 as a professional co-op staff member and transitioned to Director of Career Services in 2017. She leads our career advising and student employment teams and establishes cross-campus partnerships to support students’ career development. Before UML, Kerry’s higher education experience included serving as a dean of students, director of residence life, and admissions recruiter. Outside of higher education, Kerry briefly worked in HR and training roles for the pharmaceutical industry. Kerry cherishes UMass Lowell’s tight-knit community and is thrilled with the possibility each new semester brings for the students here.

Leadership Focus
Career Advising
Student Employment

Out-of-Office Life
Kerry is an Irish dance mom to her daughters, while her husband tackles the title of ‘Ultimate Dog Dad’ to their high-energy Brittanys. Kerry is also a lifelong crafter and became a yoga teacher in 2023.

Education
Bowling Green State University, Ohio
M.A. in College Student Personnel

Moravian College (now Moravian University), Pennsylvania
B.A. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology with a minor in Management

Pronouns
She/Her/Hers

Office Life
Serwa joined the Career Services team in 2013 and oversees the center’s marketing and communications efforts while managing the Career Peer and RHSA Pathways to Career programs. Before coming to UMass Lowell, Serwa worked in career services at a private liberal arts college and the Health and STEM Pathways Center at Middlesex Community College.

Serwa provides our students with fine dining etiquette training and is a mediator for our campus community. Serwa was first drawn to helping students while working in admissions. She believes guiding students towards majors that align with their interests and academic strengths leads to pursuing fulfilling professional futures.

Out-of-Office Life
Serwa walks by faith and not by sight, and is actively committed to her parish community. She is a paper enthusiast and loves card-making for any occasion. Serwa enjoys cooking and is happiest spending time with her husband and kids hosting family and friends.

Education
The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
M.S. in Management of Training and Development

University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
B.S. in Agriculture Economics with a minor in Soil Science

Office Life
Since joining the UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center in 2018, Beth has supported students and alumni in their career exploration and preparation. Previously, Beth worked in career development at Assumption College (now University) in Worcester, MA, and she has additional professional experience in high school guidance counseling and technical proposal writing.

Beth began developing many skills she needed in her career journey – such as customer service, communication, and teamwork – as an ice cream scooper in high school! Now, she enjoys helping students identify and communicate the transferable skills they’ve developed through jobs, projects, and extracurricular activities.

Out-of-Office Life
When she’s not at work or spending quality time with her family, Beth enjoys a variety of hobbies, including hiking, running, making music, and crocheting gifts for her loved ones.

Education
Assumption College, Worcester, MA
M.A. in School Counseling

Westfield State University, Westfield, MA
B.A. in English and Psychology

Pronouns 
She/Her/Hers

Office Life
Carla joined the team as a career advisor in 2021 after completing a graduate internship with the Career & Co-op Center. With two degrees from UMass Lowell, Carla is a double River Hawk who brings experience in student mental health support and advising to her role. While Carla’s degree is in Public Health, she found after being immersed in independent research as an undergraduate student that she would be more fulfilled in a collaborative career.

Today, Carla encourages students to focus on career exploration, not a pre-determined career path, and to be open to all learning experiences at UMass Lowell.

Out-of-Office Life
Carla is a people person who finds great joy in connecting with others at her local church and her community. You’ll often find her either seeking out new Lowell restaurants or watching the latest Marvel, Star Wars, or sci-fi movie or TV show.

Education
University of Massachusetts Lowell
M.Ed. Education Administration, Higher Education
B.S. in Public Health

Pronouns
She/Her/Hers

Office Life
Jessy joined the Career Services team in 2022 and, since the beginning, has been steadfast in her commitment to supporting others’ career aspirations. Before coming to UMass Lowell, Jessy created and fostered career development initiatives at Lawrence High School and facilitated career-readiness programs to assist in overcoming employment barriers for diverse audiences at the Massachusetts One-Stop Career Center. Jessy’s previous experiences taught her the value of building community partnerships and informed career guidance which she now uses to positively impact our River Hawk’s professional journeys every day.

Out-of-Office Life
Jessy is a proud member of the Lowell community. When not at home with her family, you’ll find her enjoying the Lowell Summer Music Series, a new bubble tea place, or a morning walk with her dog around South Campus.

Education
Merrimack College, North Andover, MA
M.Ed. in Community Engagement

University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR
B.B.A. Human Resources and Operations Management,
Exchange Student, Business Administration, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA

Office Life
Julie joined the Career Services team in 2022 to support students and alums as they pursue professional goals and explore different career paths. While Julie was formally trained as a teacher, she found her skills, knowledge, and interests better aligned outside the classroom. Today, Julie reinforces to students that your degree doesn’t dictate your career but can provide skills that support many future paths.

Julie is a passionate advocate for under-represented populations and has spent many years ensuring equal access to opportunities for first-generation students and students with disabilities pursuing higher education and meaningful employment. For Julie, the vibrant culture and social justice opportunities keep her returning to UMass Lowell year after year.

Out-of-Office Life
Julie enjoys gardening and gathering fruits from their family orchard with her husband and son. She enjoys spending time near any body of water and loves to swim, kayaking, or SCUBA whenever she gets the chance.

Education
University of Bristol, Bristol, England, UK
M.Ed. in Education Management and Change

Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
B.S. in Middle School Education with Teaching Specializations in Mathematics and Science

Pronouns
She/Her/Hers

Office Life
Janet joined the Career Services team in 2023 to support students and alums as they pursue professional goals and explore different career paths. While Janet started in the business world in financial services and human resources, she found her skills, knowledge, and interests better aligned outside the corporate culture.

Before coming to UMass Lowell, Janet worked as a career coach at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. Today, Janet takes a collaborative approach to career development in which students’ identities, backgrounds, and experiences are valued, and celebrated.

Janet is passionate about helping students seeking assistance in finding a meaningful career path.

Out-of-Office Life
Janet loves visiting new cities and new restaurants with her husband. She enjoys spending time playing tennis, hiking, kayaking, and traveling to Coastal Maine with her husband, son, daughter, and dog.

Education
Simmons University, Boston, MA
M.Ed. in General Education

Providence College, Providence, RI
B.S. in Business Management

Pronouns
She/Her/Hers

Class: Senior

Major: Criminal Justice major (concentration in Crime and Mental Health and is enrolled in UML’s Bachelors to Masters program)

Fun Facts: I enjoy anything crafty, primarily drawing, crocheting, and making jewelry.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Class: Master student

Major: Public Health- Social and Behavioral Science

Fun Facts: I recently backpacked across 22 countries in Europe this year. I’m also a private chef and baker who owns a podcast called “Real Conversations with Sonma.”

Class: Junior

Major(s): Psychology (major) Public Health(minor)

Fun fact: I have a hair styling and makeup business!

Class: Sophomore

Major: Psychology

Fun Fact: I can recite the entire “Gettysburg Address” from memory.

Class: Sophomore

Major: Computer Science

Fun Facts: I’m the Design Chair of Phi Sigma Rho and enjoy drawing, playing piano and traveling

Class: Senior

Major: Biology, Biotechnology

Fun Fact: I was a medic in the Army National Guard for five years.