Alli Goossens
Assistant Director of Employer Engagement
ALLI GOOSSENS serves as the Assistant Director of Employer Engagement in the Career and Advising Center at NDSU. In her role, she works with employers across industries to develop customized university engagement and recruitment strategies, with the goal of broadening student access to high-quality jobs, internships, and experiential learning opportunities. Alli is passionate about creating intentional connections between higher education and the workforce, ensuring students are well prepared to launch successful careers. Alli holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education from Concordia College and a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Student Affairs from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Fun fact: Alli has always wanted to be a mascot and is crossing her fingers the opportunity may arise for her to be Thundar one day.
Quick link to our Employer Recruiting Guide for NDSU.
Specialties and Interests
Employer EngagementInternshipsCo-opsEarly Talent Hiring StrategiesJerry South
Assistant Director of Career Coaching
Jerry South is the Assistant Director of Career Coaching. His mission is to help develop students into professional employees by engaging them from their first introduction to NDSU through graduation and beyond. Jerry oversees an extremely motivated and talented staff driven to help prepare every student for the evolution from a classroom to a ‘career everywhere’! He holds a Master of Science in Educational Technology from DeVry University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Chapman University, California. After retiring from the Air Force in 2012 after 23 years of service, Jerry served as Chief of Education & Training at Travis Air Force Base, CA in the San Francisco Bay area. He has worked in educational roles teaching military students and managing five college satellite campuses serving the educational needs of the military, their families, and retired veterans.
Specialties and Interests
College of EngineeringGraduate SchoolExploratory Area STEMOlivia Buller
Senior Career Coach
As a Senior Career Coach, Olivia works diligently to provide guidance, tools, and resources to students, faculty, and staff in order to assist students and alumni in their career endeavors. Olivia has worked with the Career and Advising Center since the end of 2015 and has enjoyed every year she has spent serving the NDSU community. As part of her role, she oversees the Career Mentor Program within the center, where she is dedicated to training student mentors in assisting their peers on campus. The Career Mentors are an integral part in the CAC’s ability to serve as many students, and alumni as possible.
Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in Management Communication with a minor in Psychology from NDSU where she spent much of her time rooting on the Bison as a member of the Gold Star Marching Band. She continues to cheer on the Bison wherever she can, whether that be in a stadium, arena, classroom, concert hall, or on the third floor of Ceres Hall. In her spare time you’ll find Olivia, experimenting in the kitchen, planning her next adventure, supporting anything and everything local, and most importantly, spending all the time she can with her family.
Libby Hardwick-Nelson
Events Manager
As the Events Manager, Libby oversees the logistics for the Career and Advising Center’s events. This includes our eight annual career fairs, as well as other on-campus events to help connect students with our office’s resources and provide opportunities to engage with employers.
Originally from Montana, Libby moved to the area for college, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Global Studies from Concordia College. Prior to coming to NDSU in 2021, she worked as a Culture Champion for a BPO company, focusing on event planning and employee engagement. Outside of work, Libby enjoys hiking and camping with her husband, reading, and trying out new recipes.
Specialties and Interests
Career FairsEventsSophie Rygh
Career Coach
Sophie’s role as a Career Coach allows her to connect with students throughout their time at NDSU and beyond. Her goal is to equip students with the tools they need to launch successful careers they’re passionate about. Through her role, she engages in one-on-one conversations with students to explore personal interests, define life goals, and identify potential career paths. Her experience as an NDSU Career Mentor sparked a love for higher education and a passion for helping students succeed both in their academic pursuits and future careers.
Sophie graduated from NDSU with a degree in Human Development and Family Science, along with a minor in Business Administration. After graduation, she moved to Colorado, where she worked as a Career Service Advisor for a technical school and enjoyed the breathtaking mountain views and various outdoor activities. Ultimately, family and the unique “Midwest vibe” drew her back to Fargo, where she embraced her current role at her alma mater. Outside of work, Sophie loves traveling to visit family and friends in other states, attending sporting events, trying new and familiar restaurants, and taking walks outside whenever the weather permits.
Shayla Schumacher
Experiential Learning Coord
Shayla’s role as the Experiential Learning Coordinator allows them to work with students, faculty, staff, employers, and alumni. Shayla believes that learning can happen beyond the classroom and encourages students to participate in hands-on experiences. Shayla is excited to be part of the Bison community and to support students through their internships and other experiential learning opportunities.
Shayla earned their Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Master of Arts in Sociology from Minnesota State University, Mankato. After briefly living in Louisiana, Shayla is excited to be back in the Midwest and enjoys having four seasons again. Outside of work Shayla enjoys camping, trying new restaurants, playing board games. Shayla lives with their husband in West Fargo with their two cats (Tiger and Timber).
