Staff

Laura Shackelford serves as the Director for the Career Connections Center at Texas Woman’s University. With more than 12 years of experience in higher education and human resources management and a passion for student success, Laura leads a team of 20 professional and part-time staff to cultivate a career culture at TWU. She previously worked for the University of North Texas (UNT) for nearly 4 years within the Career Center, serving in progressively higher-level roles in the department’s leadership team. Laura received her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Gonzaga University. An advocate for healthy work life integration, Laura is a proud adoptive mother to an adorable toddler. 

Laura’s Top 5 StrengthsFinder results: Futuristic, Activator, Strategic, Learner, Arranger

Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, reading and watching British literature/miniseries, playing Nintendo Switch, kayaking, visiting Disney theme parks, and driving golf carts whenever possible.

Lucy Moran serves as Associate Director, Consulting and Programming for the Career Connections Center at Texas Woman’s University. Lucy leads the consultant team with over eight years in career services in higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Education with a focus on student affairs, both from Indiana University. She has worked in career services at Indiana University, Queens College in Charlotte, NC and as Assistant Director of Career Services at Berry College in Mt. Berry, GA. After taking some time to be home with her children, Lucy returned to work at Frisco ISD. As her daughter was exploring colleges, Lucy felt the pull to return to higher education and to career services and found a perfect fit at TWU. For the past year, she served as Career Consultant for our Dallas campus and is now excited to lead our team of consultants to build a career culture across all TWU campuses.

Lucy and her husband, Wes, live with her son, Joshua, in Frisco where she also serves as a board member/band mom for Liberty High School Marching Band. Lucy’s daughter, Katie, is pursuing a BFA in acting at St. Edward’s University in Austin. The family enjoys hiking and being outdoors when it’s not excruciatingly hot (and it is Texas so it’s hot all the time!); “The Office” and true crime shows are a fun, less physically taxing alternative. Lucy is also an avid reader, and expert napper and collector of craft supplies.

Lucy’s Top 5 StrengthsFinder results are: Empathy, Relator, Connectedness, Input and Intellection. She loves to build relationships with students, faculty and staff and to learn everyone’s unique story.

Lucy is currently fascinated with the works of Brene Brown. “Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be; embrace who you are.” This quote underscores the importance of authenticity in our lives. To truly be happy, we must learn to love ourselves as we are.

Dr. Greg Shirley, II serves as the Associate Director for Employer Relations, Technology, & Operations at the Texas Woman’s University Career Connections Center. Dr. Shirley possesses 12 years of relevant experience in higher education, specifically in student affairs and career development. He received his Doctor of Education in Educational Administration, Emphasis in Curriculum, Supervision, and Instruction as well as his Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Paul Quinn College. Greg currently serves as the Co-Chair for Employer Outreach for the Metroplex Area Consortium of Career Centers (MAC3), where he was also a past president. Greg has presented at the national conferences for NASPA (Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education), state conferences for the Texas Association of College & University Student Personnel Administrators (TACUSPA), and for MAC3. Greg’s Top 5 StrengthsFinder results are WOO, Input, Connectedness, Positivity, and Communication, so making connections and building relationships are nothing new to him! He’s an avid fan of ‘Murder, She Wrote’, considers his spirit animals to be Alvin, The Chipmunk and Raphael from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and loves to catch a workout in at the TWU FitRec Center whenever he can. Greg favorite quote is from Charles Swindoll, and it reads, “We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

Brookelyn is the Assistant Director for Employer Relations at the Texas Woman’s University Career Connections Center. Her background is in social work and education. Within her diverse background, she’s learned that her passion lies in enhancing the quality of life for others, finding a balance, and initially guide one back to a structured environment. Brookelyn is currently pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy in Family Studies from Texas Woman’s University. She received her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, and her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Texas Woman’s University.

Brookelyn’s strengths lie in communication, listening, problem-solving, and analyzing. These strengths are vital to her because they provide wise counsel to others and allows her to have a different perspective of the world, one that helps to make sense to oneself and to other people. Brookelyn’s Top 5 StrengthsFinder results are Input, Strategic, Futuristic, Learner, and Achiever.

Outside of school and work, Brookelyn enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, shopping, and reading a good book. Her favorite quote is from Michele Obama which reads, “The only limit to the height of your achievement is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them.”

Arin Nacis serves as the Coordinator for Employee Relations, leading the charge for student and supervisor training across campus. He brings over 3 years of sales and recruitment experience to the Career Connections Center and you can often find him networking with employers, students, and campus partners at the institution. Arin earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Hospitality & Tourism Management and a minor in Entrepreneurship from Oklahoma State University. While at OSU, Arin served a student body of 300+ students as the President of his Student Council and was a student leader on campus. He is a service oriented, inclusive leader to his teammates and student assistants here on campus.

Arin is a massive “foody” and you can often find him geeking out about Dallas’ newest hot restaurant or cuisine. While working as a wine consultant in Dallas Arin received his WSET ll certification, ranking him amongst the entry level 1 Sommeliers, which is equivalent to that of the Court of Master Sommeliers. Arin enjoys outdoorsy adventures including rock climbing, longboarding, and fishing just to name a few.

His top 5 strengths are Strategic, Activator, Futuristic, Developer, and Positivity. He carries these traits in the way that leads others to succeed while challenging them in ways that further their real world experience.

Arin’s Favorite Quote:

“It is not the critic who counts. Not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming.”

-Theodore Roosevelt

Elizabeth MacDonald likes helping students find out what motivates them for career and life satisfaction. As someone who struggled with what to major in and how to start a career path, Elizabeth fully empathizes with the challenges of making career decisions while in college. She enjoys guiding students through the processes of self-discovery, strategy, and tackling obstacles. She believes that her main role is to listen and help students hear their own voice as they share their unique stories and current interests.

Elizabeth has a background in higher education, human resources administration, and social services. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and a Master of Science in Global e-Learning from Texas A&M – Commerce. In addition, she holds credentialing as a Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP) through the National Career Development Association. She currently serves as a Career Consultant to the students in the College of Arts & Sciences.

If you are ever at a flea market, thrift store, book store, or antiques mall, you might spot Elizabeth browsing the aisles for fun, exciting finds and good reads. She also likes to spend time at the beach, the lake, art galleries, the theater, tending to her flower beds, and spending time with family and friends.

Mallory serves as the Career Consultant for  the College of Health Sciences and for students who are still exploring their career and major options. Mallory received her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of North Texas and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a minor in criminal justice, from The University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Mallory incorporates her counseling background into her consulting approach through her focus on the holistic nature of student development, including career exploration. She is passionate about empowering students to grow and develop in the ways that fit best for them through providing tools for lifelong achievement.

In her spare time, you can find Mallory throwing a ball for her dog, Leo, or contemplating how much she wishes it was fall already. She loves going back home to Louisiana to visit friends and family and enjoy delicious home cooked meals. 

Mallory’s top 5 Strengths are: Harmony, Discipline, Developer, Relator, and Achiever. 

Olivia Hayes serves as the Career Consultant for students on the Houston campus. She primarily works with students in Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Healthcare Administration. She is from Kansas City, Missouri; home of the best BBQ! Olivia received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from THE best HBCU in Texas; Prairie View A&M University. Olivia received her Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Political Science, and her Master of Education in Curriculum Instruction. She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in Ethical Leadership at The University of St. Thomas (Houston).

Olivia’s top five strengths are Positivity, Includer, Achiever, Self- Assurance, and Arranger. Olivia’s strengths are important within her role because she has the ability to provide enthusiasm, positivity, inclusivity, and confidence to students as they embark on their desired career path.

In her spare time, Olivia enjoys shopping, spending time with family and friends, watching reality TV or historical documentaries, and locating new restaurants on TikTok to try new foods. She loves seafood and could eat it every day if she could.

Her favorite quote she continues to live by as a part of her continued success is by Shirley Chisholm, “You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.”

Emily serves as the Career Consultant for students in the College of Business. She received her Master of Education in Higher Education Administration with a focus in Student Affairs from the University of North Texas in 2018 and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Tarleton State University in 2016. Before joining the Career Connections Team at Texas Woman’s University, Emily worked in Orientation for nearly 4 years at the University of North Texas supporting first year students and overseeing the Orientation Leader program.

Emily is passionate about supporting and developing students and approaches her work from a relational lens. She values intentional conversations with students to better understand their unique interests and works to tailor the student experience to support and meet them where they are at in the career exploration process.

When she’s not supporting students at work, Emily enjoys spending her days off with family. She is a new mom to a rambunctious toddler, a loving wife and proud dog mom to her Australian Shepherd named Houston. In her spare time, Emily enjoys being outdoors, hiking, camping, working on DIY projects around the house and watching HGTV. Some of her favorite things include gummy bears, Mexican food, cozy sweaters and Century Gothic font.

 Favorite Quote: “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire” – Jennifer Lee

 Emily’s Top 5 StrengthsFinder results are: Individualization | Positivity | Relator | Futuristic | Activator

Trevor serves as the Career Consultant assisting the Nursing, Graduate Physical Therapy, Graduate Occupational Therapy, and Graduate Business students on the Dallas campus. He is from the great state of Louisiana, where the skies are rainy and sunny, but the food and drinks flow like a river. He received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Pre-Law and Paralegal Studies from Northwestern State University, his master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Louisiana State University, and is currently pursuing his doctorate degree in K-16 Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Trevor’s top five strengths are Focus, Discipline, Command, Significance, and Relator. He inspires and empowers students to be their champion in their career endeavors.

Trevor is addicted to gummy bears and gummy worms for some odd reason, but that’s partially because he’s particular about his teeth. In his spare time, he loves to brush his teeth, learn new boxing techniques, travel randomly, shop via Amazon, juice veggies and fruits, and explore eateries.

A quote that guides Trevor is by Marianne Williamson, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”

Chrissy Meek serves as the Career Consultant for the College of Nursing and the College of Professional Education at the Career Connections Center. She is a passionate counseling professional and a first generation college student. She completed her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology in December 2019 and is concurrently pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Counseling Psychology.  Chrissy has served the mental health and college student communities since 2015 working with Denton County MHMR, Friends of the Family, the TWU Social Work Department, Veterans Affairs, and TWU Counseling and Psychological Services.

Chrissy approaches her work from a relational-cultural perspective incorporating connectedness, and student context, culture, identity, values, and goals into the consulting process.  Chrissy is also a highly sensitive person and utilizes her sensitivity to connect and engage with her students and colleagues in meaningful ways.  She appreciates moving artwork, calm or nostalgic (1980s) music, and mindfulness meditation. She is also a colossal Star Trek fan and will not hesitate to quote Captain Jean Luc Picard at any available moment.  Chrissy also shares her Hogwarts house, Ravenclaw, with her colleague and friend, Vianet Garza.

Chrissy’s favorite modern philosopher is Brene Brown and she loves the quote, “Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” Chrissy believes in wholehearted living and the power of connection through vulnerability and sharing our stories.

Mikayla is the Graduate Assistant for Employer Relations at the Texas Woman’s University Career Connections Center. She recently earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Texas Woman’s University and is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration in Sport Management from TWU. 

Mikayla’s Top 5 StrengthsFinder results are Futuristic, Responsibility, Relator, Achiever, and Discipline. She is a sports fanatic, loves to travel, and is always up for an adventure! 

Favorite Quote: “The man who has no imagination has no wings.” – Muhammad Ali”