New in the Dean's Office: Director of Professional Development and Engagement

Early in 2022, the College of Arts and Letters Dean’s office created a new position to serve student employment needs: the Director of Professional Development and Engagement. The position answers a call across higher education for internship experience, professional development, and career readiness. We are delighted to announce that Shannon Wilson has been appointed to serve in this role. The director is charged with facilitating our current students’ transition from college to careers and harnessing the generosity and enthusiasm of alumni, the college’s best resource for current students seeking next steps after graduating.

Arts and Letters students are excellent critical thinkers and communicators, often keen to pursue justice and ethical change. As employees, they are adaptable and eager to learn. Our graduates have a wide range of opportunities within any sector they choose — we have alums with literature degrees who work in high tech; French majors that run consulting firms; former Breeze reporters that lead corporate communications for major sports teams; and many more leaders in their fields. Wilson will carry that message to students and employers alike.

Wilson brings a wealth of talents and experience to her role. With a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Organizational Development and a master’s degree in Educational Technology, she grasps the languages of both the university and the working world. She also brings an extensive network of relationships and varied work experience, which includes hiring and training students. Her joy lies in helping each student find the right path.

As Director, Wilson chairs a professional development committee with college-wide faculty representation to understand student needs in each major and to coordinate efforts across the college. She will plan and lead activities such as career treks to Richmond for pre-law students and to Washington D.C. for students interested in the Federal Government sector. She is also helping to establish a new internship program through the Innovation Center for Youth Justice, which places JMU Youth Justice, Justice Studies, or Social Work students in jurisdictions across the nation.

Wilson will be reworking the once-biennial Career Conference to offer it annually. This year’s conference takes place February 23-24, and will feature alumni panels and workshops about internships, job searches, interviewing, workplace culture, and marketing skills that employers most value. She is also partnering with the University Career Center’s college liaison, Emma Gibbons, and with departments and college-affiliated alumni boards, to expand programming and enable alumni to connect with their home departments and each other. Alumni interested in supporting these initiatives can contact Wilson directly at wilso4sl@jmu.edu