Thy Nguyen
Executive Director, McCree Center for Life Success

Pronouns: He/Him/His
I’m honored to be the founding executive director of the McCree Center for Life Success at Mary Baldwin University. The Center strives to offer comprehensive wraparound student services in a dynamic hub of centralized, holistic, and personal support for life design and ongoing professional and career preparation for all Mary Baldwin students. At Mary Baldwin, the McCree team and I will focus on creating partnerships, employment pipelines, and career readiness opportunities for all organizations and companies.
I have over 22 years of experience in career services and workforce development, including leadership positions at the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Before that, I spent 11 years at Northwestern University in various capacities in career services. Mary Baldwin’s mission of student empowerment, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to career readiness is why I’m so proud to be here now.
Regardless if you live on campus or study online, the McCree Center is here to support you.
On behalf of the McCree Center leadership team, our new staff, and Mary Baldwin University, welcome and know that your future success is our priority.
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Kristen Sill
Director of Employer Relations and Workforce Development

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
As a travel junkie and an enthusiast of life, I love to help others find their passions and achieve their full potential through experiential learning- including internships, co-ops, micro-internships, and any other experience that encourages skill development and personal growth.
Understanding the importance of going out into the world to overcome the unknown and find oneself in the process, I encourage others to do so by connecting individuals to diverse work opportunities and experiences. Through collaboration, communication, and connection with the community, university and alumni partners, and students- my mission is to inspire personal growth and to help people find purpose and joy within their career and work.
“There may be no single thing more important in our efforts to achieve meaningful work and fulfilling relationships than to learn to practice the art of communication.”- Max De Pree
My own personal passions include: travel, writing, hiking, trail running, weight lifting, career development, painting, eating and making delicious vegetarian food, reading, archery, DIY projects, and meeting new people.
How can I help you?
- Advice for finding an internship or experience
- Using your Handshake profile effectively
- Finding or connecting with a specific employer
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Christina Harris
Director of McCree Center for Life Success

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
My name is Christina Harris and I love helping people!
While my degrees in Philosophy and Library Science have led me to academic librarianship, I have discovered another passion connecting “knowledge to access” through career development. I have the unique experience of being a student (c/o 2014) and an instructor, and my personality is an asset when connecting with others in various stages of life by building bridges of understanding. For me, career services are an extension of library services. Helping students with research for their papers/projects prepares them to search for answers in the world; while teaching students personal and professional development teaches them how to take those answers and turn it into reality. As a society, we should be long gone with the notion of having to bear the brute of life lessons alone. With information overload extinguishing our desires to think critically, we must trust in something or someone to help get you passed the finish line.
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Recent Posts
- Mastering the Art of Networking: Forging Connections that Propel Success
- 5 Ways Student Organizations Boost Your Employability
- Elevating Your Path to Excellence through the McCree Center of Career and Life Success
- 🌟 Introducing Career Design Advisors: Your Partners in Success at the McCree Center! 🌟
- Navigating the Path to Grad School Essays: Where and How to Begin
Jada Smith
Career Design Advisor

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
As a recent graduate of Mary Baldwin University with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and a minor in Psychology, I am thrilled to have embarked on a fulfilling journey as a valuable member of the university’s team. In my new role, I am dedicated to guiding and supporting incoming students as they navigate their academic and personal pathways at Mary Baldwin.
Drawing upon my own experiences and the knowledge I gained during my time as a student, I am committed to easing the transition for new enrollees and assisting them in finding their own sense of direction within the university’s vibrant community. With a deep understanding of the challenges that can arise as one enters higher education, I am excited to provide mentorship, resources, and advice to empower students to make the most of their time here.
My academic background in Psychology equips me with valuable insights into human behavior and motivation, enabling me to connect with students on a meaningful level. Through open communication, empathy, and a genuine desire to see each student thrive, I am enthusiastic about contributing to the growth and success of Mary Baldwin students.
Fredrick D. Walker
Career Design Advisor

Pronouns: He/His/Him
Fredrick D. Walker, M.A., is a native Virginian with a passion for cultivating welcoming spaces and helping others reach their full potential in career & life!
He comes to MBU with over a decade of higher ed, military, and industry expertise ranging from career services and college admissions to public relations and equal opportunity/DEI. In addition to his work as a Career Design Advisor, he serves as a Public Affairs Officer in the US Marine Corps Reserve.
Fredrick is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Education & Organizational Leadership from Liberty University. He also holds a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Liberty University, a graduate certificate from Southern Seminary, and a bachelor’s degree in English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies from Virginia Military Institute, in addition to other formal military and civilian education.
When he is not meeting with students or walking around campus, you can find him reading a good book or spending time with his wife and two young children.
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Recent Posts
- From English Major to Newspaper Salesman to US Marine: My Journey to Becoming a Fighting Squirrel! (PART 3 of 3)
- From English Major to Newspaper Salesman to US Marine: My Journey to Becoming a Fighting Squirrel! (PART 2 of 3)
- From English Major to Newspaper Salesman to US Marine: My Journey to Becoming a Fighting Squirrel (PART 1 of 3)
- A College Education Has Benefits Beyond Your Paycheck!
- How to Respond to a Rejection Email
Raven Showalter
Assistant Director of Global Engagement

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
I was born and raised in Staunton, Virginia. I came to Mary Baldwin University as an undergraduate to learn Japanese and study abroad. During my junior year, I had the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in Kyoto, Japan attending the Japanese Studies Program at Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts. This experience helped me to improve my Japanese language ability and fully immerse myself in Japanese culture. After graduating from MBU, I enrolled at Old Dominion University to pursue a Master’s in International Studies where I broadened my intellectual interests beyond Asia and became passionate about international education. I am excited to be leading international education initiatives and teaching Japanese here at MBU.
Specialties and Interests
International Education, Japanese, Asian StudiesContact
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Andrew Raridon
Faculty Director

Pronouns: He/His/Him
As a faculty member, I love helping my students connect our classroom conversations with real world experiences. At the Spencer Center, we’re here to help cultivate engaging, unique, and life-changing programs for students that not only make their time at MBU memorable, but also help reveal their professional skills and passions.
This is also the heart of my research, which explores the intersection of social activism and the marketplace. I ask how people blend their work with their advocacy, and what kinds of strategies they utilize to keep a balance between profit and purpose. I love to engage students in these kinds of questions as they consider their futures beyond Mary Baldwin, and help prepare them for careers in which they can do good and do well.
I’m currently an Assistant Professor of Sociology, and teach classes about inequality, race + gender, and food systems. When I’m not on campus talking about Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim, you can probably find me enjoying the food scene in downtown Staunton, or out for a hike with my partner and our three kids.
Akeilah George
Student Staff: Civic Engagement Assistant

Pronouns: She/They
Hi! I am a senior here at MBU, majoring in English with minors in creative writing and studio art. I have always been passionate about literature, art, and observing the self-expression and perspective of others. My role as the assistant of Civic Engagement has allowed me to combine my love for writing and art in a way that allows me to make a positive impact in the community. Through planning and hosting various projects and events at the Spencer Center, I have been able to engage with people of varying backgrounds who share their stories through words, visual art, and other forms of creative expression.
Edina Erkin
Student Staff: International Student Assistant

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
I was born and raised in East Turkestan before moving to the United States when I was 14 years old. My first language is Uyghur. Other languages I speak include Chinese, Uzbek, and a little Turkish. I work at the Spencer Center as an International Student Assistant. I enjoy meeting new people and guiding them through the process of learning about the US and American colleges, particularly what Mary Baldwin College has to offer its international students. I’ve also made a lot of great friends since starting at the Spencer Center. I’m interested in diplomacy and hope to one day work as a US diplomat or with foreign policymakers. This role allows me to learn more about different cultures and gain knowledge that will help me in my professional career in the future
Sophie Wilkins
Student Staff: Global Engagement Assistant

Amaya Warner
Student Staff: McCree Center for Life Success

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hello my name is Amaya Warner and I am a sophomore who is Majoring in Psychology with an emphasis of Neuroscience. My hobbies are playing video games and listening to music, and I am a retired competition cheerleader! After college, I want to go to medical school to (preferably John Hopkins) to become a Neurologist who studies Alzheimer’s and dementia diseases.
Em Yuhasz
Student Staff: McCree Center for Life Success

Pronouns: They/Them
Hello! My name is Em Yuhasz. I am a sophomore majoring in Environmental Biology and minoring in Chemistry. I am an artist who specializes in photography, embroidery, and oil pastels. I love Bob’s Burgers and other cartoons. I am a big reader, and I love finding new books. I am an introverted person who loves alone time, but I also love being in leadership positions and connecting with others on and off of campus. I can’t wait to meet you!
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Azjanea Howard
Student Staff: McCree Center for Life Success

Christian Del Hoyo
Student Staff: McCree Center for Life Success

Pronouns: He/Him/His
I am a 5th and 1/2 year student (basically a super senior). I am double majoring in Psychology and Communications. My interests are video games, manga and anime, and boxing.
Godfred Ogoe
Student Staff: McCree Center for Life Success

Pronouns: He/Him/His
I am a Graduate Student. I am studying Shakespeare and Performance. My interests are writing.
Mya Ripple
Student Staff: McCree Center for Life Success

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
I am a sophomore. Currently I am undecided for my major. My interests and hobbies are video games, music, outdoor activities, etc.