Meet Our Staff

Lucy Byrne is a Program Coordinator of Coaching and Programming at TC NEXT. In this role Lucy will help expand career development workshops and program initiatives, as well as advising TC students and alumni. She has a Bachelor's degree in Criminology and Linguistics from Hofstra University. Her greatest passions are in social justice, specifically penal abolition and forensic linguistic research in capital cases. Lucy’s experience includes work in vocational rehabilitation with marginalized communities, linguistic analysis, along with public speaking and debate.

In this role, Laura leads the Employment Partnerships team, whose scope of work encompasses employer relations, data and systems, marketing and communications, and on-campus student employment. Laura spearheads relationships with a network of over 3,000 TC NEXT employer partners and develops opportunities for students and alumni to connect with hiring managers across a wide variety of industries. 

Previously Laura was the Associate Director of Alumni & Employer Relations at Sotheby’s Institute of Art (New York, NY) where she developed new alumni engagement initiatives, oversaw campus recruitment programs, and produced professional development events. Laura began her career in higher education at Valparaiso University (Valparaiso, IN), primarily serving in the role of Associate Director for International Admission, leading strategic planning for international undergraduate student enrollment and overseeing application review and scholarship awarding. 

Laura is a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the Metropolitan New York College Career Planning Officers’ Association (MNYCCPOA), and Higher Education Professionals of Long Island and New York City (LICSPA). She has given talks and presented at conferences on a pathways model of success for graduate students and career transitions within the higher education sector. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Bucknell University, has studied at the Universidad de Granada in Granada, Spain, and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Uyanga is an Employment Partnerships Coordinator at TC NEXT. In this role, she will be continuing the development of partnerships with employers to provide career networking opportunities for students and alumni. Uyanga has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Education from Clark University. Previously, Uyanga was a kindergarten teacher in the US and abroad in international schools across China. Additionally, she has worked with domestic and international students in a variety of roles, such as an Admissions Counselor and Risk and Safety coordinator, spearheading counseling in higher education and employment opportunities. Uyanga is more than happy to assist in Mongolian and in Russian.

Sabeen has an Ed.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. Her research is focused on reporting behaviors, campus policies and the impact of institutional culture on Muslim college students. Sabeen’s greatest passions are career and student development in higher education, and addressing mental health issues in various communities. Her experience includes work in strength-based counseling, career coaching, social justice, domestic violence, undoing racism, and student leadership development. She currently serves on the founding board of a grass roots non profit, Heal Collective NY, and is a Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor with the National Council of Behavioral Health.

Genevieve Thevenin is a career and academic coach. She has over ten years of experience in coaching, advising, tutoring, and teaching students across secondary, higher, and post secondary education.  At TC NEXT she provides resume/cover letter/curriculum vitae review, job search strategies, salary negotiation advice, and interview preparation to TC students and alumni. As a member of the Advising + Programming team, Genevieve also supports the development of workshops, learning modules, and professional development opportunities. She has a proven record of meaningful connections through one-on-one coaching, including experience with non-traditional and underserved students. An engaging facilitator and speaker, Genevieve is a huge advocate for the use of campus resources to support students on their educational journey. In addition to her work in career coaching, her personal mission is to support  students of color in making positive changes to their financial trajectories  and empowering them to shatter glass ceilings and dismantle systemic inequalities. 

Karina began her career in higher education at UC Berkeley where she worked in Human Resources coordinating arrivals of visiting scholars. Prior to joining TC Next, she worked at the Columbia University Medical Center as the Program Manager of Student Research in the Office of Medical Education, where she developed resources and enhanced platforms to support students navigating scholarly projects.

Karina grew up in Oakland, California and is a community college graduate.  She holds a BA in Sociology from UC Berkeley, and is an alum of the Higher and Postsecondary Education program at TC. She is passionate about empowering students to achieve both personal and professional goals, and cultivating safe spaces for belonging.

Alea is an incoming student at Teachers College and is pursuing her Ed.M. in Mental Health Counseling, while also working as a Graduate Student Assistant at TC NEXT. In this role, she focuses on employment partnerships, and building relationships between current students, alumni, and various employers. Alea is extremely passionate about mental health awareness and interventions, especially within minority communities, and using community engagement as a tool to build long-lasting skills and relationships. She graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University - New Brunswick in May 2022 with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice.

Ally is pursuing an M.A. in Higher and Postsecondary Education at Teachers College, and she is working as an Administrative Fellow at TC NEXT. In this role, Ally provides coaching and programming for TC alumni navigating their career pathways. Ally is passionate about conversation facilitation and student support, especially in the realm of professional discernment. After graduating from Villanova University in 2021, Ally joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and served as an Education Assistant in Minneapolis. While engaging with elementary-aged students, she was reminded of her goals as a future advisor and administrator: to help students and alumni embrace childlike curiosity while considering personal and professional options. 

Kella Merlain-Moffatt is pursuing her master's in International Educational Development and is a Graduate Student Worker of Coaching and Programming at TC NEXT. In this role, Kella serves as a career peer and provides resume/cover letter/curriculum vitae review and job search strategies for TC students and alumni. Kella is passionate about understanding how our lighted pasts inform our futures, civic engagement and connecting folks with the tools needed to reach their next level. Her experience includes work in communications, social justice facilitation, student leadership development, speech and debate coaching, and international development. She holds a Bachelor's degree, magna cum laude, with majors in International Relations and Africana Studies from Tufts University. 

Laura has served as an Administrative Fellow on the Employment Partnerships team at TC NEXT since August 2021. Laura is a second-year Ed.M. student in the School Counseling program at Teachers College, Columbia University, from which she is expected to graduate in May 2023. Prior to enrolling at Teachers College, Laura worked in public relations and internal communications. Laura received a B.A. in Journalism and Media Relations from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Mary is pursuing an M.A. in Elementary Inclusive Education with Gifted Extension at Teachers College, through which she will earn her initial teacher certifications in Childhood Education for grades 1-6, Teaching Students with Disabilities for grades 1-6, and the NYS extension in Gifted Education. She is a Graduate Student Worker on the Coaching+Programming team at TC NEXT. In this role, she serves as a career peer and provides resume and cover letter guidance to TC students and alumni, in addition to lending job search strategies and overarching support for life after graduate school. She will also assist with the digitalization of TC's fabulous resources to an accessible Canvas course. She's excited at the prospect of coaching and collaborating with her peers and discovering entirely new perspectives, career paths, and aspects of TC through their eyes. Prior to pivoting into education, she worked as a software engineer and a server at a restaurant in the East Village. As a New York native, she is extremely passionate about fighting inequity within the nation's largest and most segregated public school system. She is an alumna of Barnard College where she studied Computer Science and Economics. She was an active member of Beyond Barnard during her time on campus, and is excited to continue advancing equity and access across all industries and career ambitions within the TC community.

Nadia is pursuing an EdM in Mental Health Counseling and an Advanced Certificate in Sexuality, Women, and Gender studies at Teachers College and working as a Graduate Student Worker of Coaching & Programming at TC NEXT. In this role, Nadia supports the team in the planning, promotion, and logistics of important career related programming and offerings for students. Nadia is also a certified career peer and supports students and alumni with resume/cover letter/curriculum vitae review and job search strategies. Prior to pivoting into the mental health and education space, Nadia worked as an event planner, designer, marketing strategist, and community organizer. Underlying Nadia's multidisplinary background is the proven ability to cultivate impactful connections and advocacy initiatives at both the individual and community level. They are passionate about supporting others in their unique journies of growth and healing, and working to dismantle the systemic barriers that impact marginalized communities. They hold a Bachelors degree in Media Arts & Sciences and Psychology from Wellesley College. 

Originally from China and having completed undergrad at University College in Dubling, Ireland, Vera is pursuing an M.A. in Social-Organizational Psychology at Teachers College. Vera's 5-year work history includes her role in Human Resources Manager at Procter & Gamble, where she was exposed to a variety of HR disciplines including recruiting, employee relations, and change management. Vera is passionate about people and organizational development, and is thrilled to join the Employment Partnerships team in supporting TC students’ personal and professional growth.