Melissa Schultz
Director, Strategic Projects & Gateway Career Counselor
Melissa Schultz joined the Gateway Career Center team in the Fall of 2008, and possesses a passion for career counseling, analytics, program management, volunteer engagement, and technology. Melissa provides comprehensive and individualized career counseling services to students of all class years and stages of career readiness, and develops and facilitates relevant career workshops and programs.
In complement to providing compassionate career counseling, Melissa serves as a liaison to Health Professions Advising and as a primary point of contact for Gateway’s graduate school resources. She coordinates the Career Center’s semester programming calendar and works to continually assess and steward the Gateway Program, including the compilation of the Annual Report and facilitation of student feedback efforts. Melissa plays a key role in developing Career Center website content, integrating career-related technology platforms, and launching new resources to the student community. She enjoys working with students, collaborating across the Lafayette community, exploring emerging technology and tools, and leveraging data to drive decision-making.
Melissa was a first generation college student and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Shippensburg University, followed by her Master of Arts in Industrial & Organizational Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. When she’s not on campus, you are likely to find Melissa spending quality time with her husband and two children, cheering at a sporting event (often her kiddos’!), reading a book, or enjoying the outdoors.
Specialties and Interests
Advising Majors: Africana StudiesAsian StudiesBiochemistryBiologyChemical EngineeringChemistryEnvironmental StudiesForeign Languages & LiteratureGovernment & LawHistoryInternational AffairsNeurosciencePolicy StudiesRussian & East European StudiesAlana Klass
Senior Associate Director & Coordinator for Access, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives
Alana has 30+ years’ experience in higher education and has experience working with traditional and non-traditional aged students at public, private, and community colleges. She has developed and delivered programs and workshops for students with disabilities, student athletes, students of color, LGBT+ population, and Greeks and is experienced in academic advising, graduate school planning and advising, and pre-professional advising. She has presented professionally at state, region, and national professional associations.
At Lafayette, Alana serves as the liaison to the Office of Intercultural Development and Campus Life, she supports the Team Success program, supports the Posse program, and an identified campus ally for DACA and undocumented students and members of the LGBT+ community. She develops and facilitates programs and workshops to support students in all aspects of the career development process. Alana is a first generation college student and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Office Administration from Bloomsburg University, where she is the Advisor for New Member Education and Alumni Transition for Alpha Sigma Alpha National Sorority, former member of the Alumni Board of Directors, and a Master of Education degree in Student Affairs from Kutztown University.
Specialties and Interests
Africana StudiesAnthropology & SociologyAsian StudiesArtCivil & Environmental EngineeringEnvironmental ScienceEnvironmental StudiesEnglishFilm & Media StudiesForeign Languages & LiteratureGeology & Environmental GeosciencesGovernment & LawHistoryInternational AffairsMusicPhilosophyPolicy StudiesPsychologyReligion & PoliticsReligious StudiesRussian & East European StudiesTheaterWomen, Gender & Sexuality StudiesMark Choquette
Assistant Director, Gateway Career Center
Mark Choquette joined the Gateway Career Center in the summer of 2019. He will primarily provide career counseling for Lafayette students, helping them through every step of the career development process. Aside from previous career counseling and programming experience in higher education, Mark worked in recruiting and employee development for a corporate restaurant business, as well as various higher education departments including admissions, conference services, and athletics. Mark will assist in the overseeing of the Gateway Ambassador program.
Mark earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from York College of Pennsylvania, and his Masters of Science in Counselor Education – Higher Education/Student Affairs from West Chester University.
Specialties and Interests
Advising Majors: Anthropology & SociologyArtComputer ScienceEconomicsElectrical & Computer EngineeringEnglishIntegrated EngineeringEngineering & International StudiesEngineering StudiesFilm & Media StudiesMathematicsMathematics & EconomicsMechanical EngineeringMusicPhysicsTheaterRebecca Shafer
Assistant Director, Career Counselor
Rebecca Shafer joined the Career Services staff as a Career Counselor in October 2021. Rebecca provides one-on-one career counseling to students, as well as guidance and support through all aspects of the career development process. Rebecca has been providing counseling to youth and adults for over 15 years. Her past experiences include career counseling for the NYS Department of Labor, independent living skill development for youth, and mental health counseling. Additionally, Rebecca has served in administrative roles for the NYS Office of Children and Family Services overseeing programs provided to adjudicated youth placed in secure detention.
Rebecca is a graduate of the State University of New York at New Paltz where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a Concentration in Human Services. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Social Work from Fordham University. Rebecca is also a Licensed Master Social Worker for the state of NY.
Specialties and Interests
Civil & Environmental EngineeringComputer ScienceEconomicsElectrical & Computer EngineeringEngineering & International StudiesEngineering StudiesEnvironmental ScienceGeology & Environmental GeosciencesIntegrative EngineeringMathematicsMathematics & EconomicsMechanical EngineeringPhysicsLaura Wallace
Assistant Director, Career Counselor
Laura Wallace joined the Career Services staff as a Career Counselor in March 2018. Laura’s work at Lafayette involves helping students through all aspects of the career development process, providing one-on-one career counseling to students. Her past experiences in the field of education include working as a college counselor, guiding students through the college search and application process. Laura has also worked as a school counselor in the public school system, where she provided counseling services individually as well as in a group setting to students on a variety of topics.
Laura is a graduate of the University at Albany where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She is also a graduate of Gwynedd-Mercy University, where she earned her Master of Science degree in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling.
Specialties and Interests
Advising Majors: Computer ScienceEconomicsElectrical & Computer EngineeringIntegrated EngineeringEngineering & International StudiesEngineering StudiesMathematicsMathematics & EconomicsMechanical EngineeringPhysicsMaureen Walz
Director, Special Programs and Pre-Law Advisor
Maureen Walz has two decades of experience in higher education and has served as a member of the Gateway Career Center team since 2005. Prior to transitioning into higher education, Maureen’s professional experience included human resources and recruiting experience in the corporate and nonprofit sectors. At Lafayette, her favorite responsibilities allow her to help students identify and explore their interests and serve as Pre-Law Advisor.
Maureen earned an M.Ed. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Kutztown University and a B.S.B.A. in Human Resources Management from Rider University.
Specialties and Interests
Advising Majors: BiochemistryBiologyChemical EngineeringChemistryEconomicsEngineering & International StudiesEngineering StudiesMathematicsMathematics & EconomicsNeuroscienceMargie Cherry
Associate Director
Margie has more than ten years of experience as a career counselor, workshop designer and facilitator in both corporate and college settings. She worked for Lee Hecht Harrison, one of the premier corporate outplacement firms, and most recently for Montgomery Community College with career transition adults. Margie holds a BA from Immaculata College and a master’s in counseling from Rosemont College.