Meet the Staff

Caroline Simard is the Regional Dean of Northeastern University Silicon Valley. In this role, she is responsible for the design and execution the campus strategic plan, including the expansion academic programs and design of new initiatives, building partnerships with companies, and overseeing campus operations.

Caroline is passionate about the role of higher education in advancing social impact, and is dedicated to expanding career pathways for students across backgrounds in Silicon Valley. Before joining Northeastern, she was the Managing Director of the VMware Women’s Leadership Innovation Lab at Stanford University, a social impact initiative to bridge the gap between research and practice to advance diversity in organizations from K-12 to the c-suite. In this role, she led the implementation of the research agenda, engaged industry partners, and oversaw operations. Previously, she served as the Senior Director of Research at the Clayman Institute for Gender Research, designing and implementing academic-industry research collaborations for impact, and as Director of Faculty Development and Diversity at the Stanford School of Medicine. Prior to Stanford, she served as the Vice President of Research and Executive Programs at AnitaB.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of women in computing and host of the Grace Hopper Celebration. Caroline has a PhD from Stanford University and Masters from Rutgers University.

Caroline is a board member of the Center for Institutional Courage, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transformative research and education for impact. A 25-year Silicon Valley resident, Caroline is originally from Montreal, Canada. She enjoys connecting with friends and colleagues, hiking, and traveling.

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Dr. Dawn Girardelli is the Associate Dean of Northeastern University in Silicon Valley.

Girardelli is a seasoned higher education administrator and a visionary leader with a keen sense for strategy, innovation and building coalitions. Focused on student equity and success, she possesses over 20+ years of experience in higher education. This includes leading, designing and implementing workforce, higher education programs and strategic initiatives in collaboration with corporate, government and non-profits. Girardelli was the founder of Diversity-In-Tech Initiative [2014-2018] which brought together K-12, community colleges, universities, non-profits, business/industry & government partners to develop pathways (colleges to career) for women and underrepresented populations in the Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) fields throughout the SF Bay Area.

Girardelli holds an Ed.D in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University, a MS degree in Higher Education Administration from California State University-East Bay and a BA degree in Psychology from California State University-East Bay.

Girardelli is particularly interested in the intersection of academic innovations, workforce development and community impact.

In addition to her role at Northeastern, Girardelli currently serves on several community boards centered on workforce and regional economic development, community development and is a volunteer counselor with local youth group.

Girardelli is married to Mike Girardelli and has 3 children. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, relaxing at the beach, watching old movies, and reading historical fiction and suspense novels.

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Ask me about:
• Exploring career paths in Silicon Valley
• Working in startups and leading high tech companies
• Identifying and connecting with prospective employers

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Hannah Kang (she/her/hers) is the Experiential Learning Specialist at Northeastern University’s Silicon Valley campus. In this role, she supports all students at the intersection of careers services and partner relations by sourcing and planning opportunities for students to apply their academic learnings in industry and related workforce settings. She comes with experience working with young adult learners, is passionate to empower individuals toward self-advocacy, and holds a growth mindset in spaces of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Hannah has her Master’s of Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College of California and is currently pursuing her Doctoral of Education right here at Northeastern University. She is a coffee enthusiast, extroverted introverted, and enjoys traveling in her free time.

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Natasha is the Associate Director of Career Development at Northeastern University, Silicon Valley, where she is passionate about helping students develop their skills and equipping them with the tools needed to succeed in their career journey. She is dedicated to guiding students as they craft their unique stories and prepare for future careers. Prior to joining Northeastern, Natasha worked at the University of San Francisco, where she was responsible for student recruitment, advising, and career planning for both undergraduate and graduate students. She also has a background in staffing and human resources in the private sector, bringing a wealth of experience to her role in career development. Natasha has a Masters degree in Organization and Leadership from the University of San Francisco.

Read more about Natasha

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Manny Machado has been a career coach for business and STEM disciplines for 3+ years. As a former first-generation student, Machado became a career coach to assist students in achieving their career and professional goals. Machado is the incoming Career Development Advisor for Northeastern University's Silicon Valley Campus. Machado has also served at institutions such as Willamette University and UC Merced and was a former recruiter for Target Corporation. Machado welcomes the opportunity to work, support and/or collaborate with students, staff, faculty, and employer partners for various initiatives and meet each stakeholder where they are at.

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Valerie Cruz-Aguayo is the Administrative Coordinator within the Career Development team. As an employee of the Silicon Valley campus since its early days, Valerie is a deeply knowledgeable resource for both students and staff for navigating logistics, planning, and execution of projects.

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Karen Chang Pryor (she/her) serves as the Director of Student Services at Northeastern University Silicon Valley. In this position, she works to create a robust campus experience and support network for students. She can help students in navigating university resources and policies, as well as serving as a guide to getting involved and building connections on campus. Karen has worked in higher education for the last 14 years and most recently worked at the University of Chicago as the Associate Director for the Center for Leadership and Involvement.

Karen is a Bay Area local who attended the University of Puget Sound for her undergraduate degree, majoring in English Literature and Economics. It was through several on-campus leadership experiences that she discovered her passion for student involvement. She attended the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration. Outside of work, you can find Karen working towards her 52 books a year reading goal, tending to her numerous houseplants, traveling, and finding the best spot for ice cream wherever she goes.

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Elly Lim (she/her) is the Assistant Director of Student Services and works alongside the Director of Student Services to create an engaging and inclusive student community at the Northeastern University Silicon Valley campus. Her passion lies in creating a robust student community that welcomes all students, and her role centers around helping students to find their sense of belonging within the Northeastern Silicon Valley community. In this role, she supervises the Student Services Student Ambassadors and Student Interest Groups, who serve as the campus’s student leaders, and guides them to create an active student community that brings students together around common interests. Before joining Northeastern University, Elly worked as the Student Affairs Coordinator at UCLA School of Law for 5 years and has over 8 years of experience in higher education student affairs. Elly is from Los Angeles and has a B.A. in Human Development from UC San Diego and an M.Ed. in Student Affairs from UCLA.

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Ask me about:
• Experiences of or concerns about discrimination or harassment
• Northeastern policies about discrimination and harassment

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Read Samantha Aldana's team member feature

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Seblewongel Ayalew, Ed.D., brings a wealth of experience in higher education to her current role as the Associate Director of Operations at Northeastern University. In this role, she steers operational strategy and execution, focusing on continuous improvement and cost-saving measures. She also leads and facilitates many interdepartmental initiatives for the campus, including faculty collaboration, campus communication, and program launches.

Before joining Northeastern, Seblewongel was the Campus Director at UMass Global, where she successfully increased enrollment, improved the student experience, and reduced employee turnover. Her previous work included both campus leadership and senior academic advising positions. As a current board member of the Action Council and Building Healthy Communities in Monterey County, she works to support mission-driven startups. She holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology from Purdue University, a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts Global.

Seblewongel is originally from Ethiopia. In her spare time, she enjoys reading books with her two boys.

Read Seble's team member feature

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Rebecca Berroteran is the Operations Manager at Northeastern Silicon Valley, where she’s the behind-the-scenes leader making sure campus life runs smoothly. With a team of Operation Assistants, she’s always on the lookout for ways to create a low-stress, functional, and welcoming environment for everyone.

With 20 years of experience in hospitality and organizational management, Rebecca brings a unique perspective to her role. She’s passionate about providing empathetic leadership to her team, and she’s thrilled to be part of the higher education community.

When she’s not busy with campus operations you can find Rebecca exploring new places, whipping up delicious meals, or catching a live show. Her favorite place in the world? Disneyland, of course! She is originally from Modesto, CA, but spent most of her life in beautiful Santa Cruz before moving to Silicon Valley.

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Marcos Gonzalez serves as the Operations Specialist at Northeastern University Silicon Valley. In this role, he supports students with various on-campus needs, including access cards, Husky IDs, and event planning. Marcos is also the primary point of contact for I-9 completion for student workers.

Passionate about helping students succeed, Marcos is dedicated to ensuring they have a great experience at the Silicon Valley campus. Since joining the campus in 2021, he has been committed to achieving excellence with the operations team. A San Jose native, Marcos enjoys traveling, going to the beach, and exploring viewpoints across the Bay Area.

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Míla is one of the members of our Silicon Valley Operations team. She's always ready to help with event setup, organization, and addressing any issues our students or staff face. You can usually find her in the Welcome Center if you're lost or looking for assistance. When not at work, she's usually drawing. She graduated from Pratt Institute with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Design.

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Nathan Ly serves as an Operations Assistant for the Northeastern University Silicon Valley campus. He provides expertise in general campus information, campus tours, and the campus Sharepoint hub. Nathan is passionate in helping people and aims to solve problems that anyone may have. With a degree in Business Administration – Management from San Jose State University, he aims to grow professionally and learn to be a leader.

Nathan was born and raised in San Jose, California. Outside of work, he enjoys playing PC games, traveling, snowboarding, going to the gym, and working on cars!

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Elizabeth Tran is a Campus Operations Assistant at Northeastern University Silicon Valley. In this role, she assists in overseeing the campus to make sure operations are in check, such as guiding students to each of our departments for assistance, keeping track of inventory, and having the classrooms prepped for lessons. Elizabeth looks to learn and specialize in extra assistance for our IT team. Elizabeth is excited to help with operations at Northeastern University since working at a school and interacting with people and students has been a goal of hers ever since graduating from San Jose State University with a Bachelor's degree in Radio/TV/Film.

Elizabeth has lived in and gone to school in San Jose, CA all her life and is very comfortable and familiar with the city, however, her parents immigrated here from Vietnam many years ago. Her hobbies include costuming, digital media creation, and interacting with fan communities for her favorite series and franchises.

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Alicia Montana Morrell joined the Office of General Counsel in January 2024 and has her office at Northeastern’s Oakland campus. She works with both Bay Area campuses.

Before joining Northeastern, Alicia was practiced at Littler Mendelson P.C., Jackson Lewis PC, and Meyers Nave where she defended employers in state and federal court, in arbitration, and before governmental agencies. Her practice included advice and counsel for California employers and conducting both workplace training and investigations for private organizations and state agencies. Alicia began her legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk in the United States District Court’s Southern District of California in San Diego.

Alicia received her J.D. from California Western School of Law. While there she represented the school in nation-wide Alternative Dispute Resolution competitions and externed for three federal judges. Before law school, Alicia received a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California and worked in residence life, student activities, and LGBTQ+ student support services at the University of Utah, University of California – San Diego, and Carleton College. She is also a graduate of Ball State University.

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Alica is the AV Specialist on the Silicon Valley campus. A curious person by nature, she has ventured into different roles—from child development to linguistics, anatomy, art, and IT. Having grown up in the U.S. while originating elsewhere, Alica understands the unique challenges and paradoxes that can arise in day-to-day life. She is interested in the human condition, and has a genuine curiosity about how things work; she cites these things as guides in her approach to AV and IT support.

Alica and the regional ITS team are available to help with any questions about using our campus technology or about available technology resources.

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Huayra (she/her) is the Global Learner Support (GLS) Specialist at the Silicon Valley campus. Global Learner Support (GLS) serves learners by providing language, cultural, and academic support. Huayra enjoys working with learners from diverse backgrounds and fostering an environment that encourages intercultural exchange and communication. Huayra has worked with English language learners across various educational settings, including in higher education both locally and internationally. She went to school in Boston where she started working as an English language instructor primarily with adult learners and graduate students. She then moved to France, subsequently to Turkey, and taught various learners from primary school students, and high school students, to undergraduate students. She has a BA in French from Suffolk University, a Master's in French and Francophone Studies from the University of Toulouse Jean Jaurès, and a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA).

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Tim Randazzo is a part-time tutor with Global Learner Support (GLS). As a tutor, Tim loves helping students reach their academic and professional goals, whether it involves practicing English conversation, preparing for a presentation, practicing for a job interview, or refining specific English skills. In addition to his role as a tutor, Tim also works full-time as Senior Director for Student Learning Programs at Stanford University’s Center for Teaching and Learning. In that role, he oversees programs that support student learning, such as tutoring, language conversation, and academic coaching. Tim holds a Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley, where his research focused on U.S. immigration and refugee policy. He also completed an M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at San Jose State University and a B.A. in Sociology-Anthropology at Knox College. In his free time, Tim enjoys traveling, learning languages, working out, making vegan desserts, and meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures.

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Ask me about:
• The international student experience
• Change of Visa Status questions for international students

Please contact Giscard through this portal

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Ask me about:
• Immigration-related matters for international students

Please contact Juan through this portal

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As a member of a multicultural family, Kimberly strongly believes that inclusivity and diversity are paramount to the success of every learning community. As such, she believes in fostering equity and opportunity based on mutual respect and collaboration with students.

With many years of experience in teaching and advising, Kimberly enjoys helping students achieve a successful and enjoyable educational experience. At the university level, she has been an English instructor and an Academic Advisor for several years. Before joining the world of higher education, she was a teacher for students in grades K-12 for many years. She also mentored new teachers and was a Department Coordinator for English-Language Arts and Social Studies during this time. Before transitioning into the field of education, she was a journalist and editor, specializing in radio and print news and features. Kimberly has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a Minor in Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies from the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, a Master of Arts in English with a Specialization in Rhetoric from National University, and a California Teaching Credential in English.

Kimberly is originally from rural Minnesota but has lived in the Bay Area for over 30 years. She has three adult children, two of whom are twins. She has traveled to many countries, but has spent her longest trips abroad visiting Pakistan, which is her husband’s home country.

In her spare time, Kimberly enjoys spending time with her family and friends, working on her garden and indoor plants, reading, caring for her five cats, and studying more about her faith.

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Erica Hatzievgenakis serves as an Associate Co-op Coordinator and Co-op Faculty at Northeastern University’s Silicon Valley Campus. In this role, she teaches Career Management for Engineers courses, advises students, and assists with co-op search and interview preparation. Erica is dedicated to collaborating with industry-aligned organizations to foster partnerships and secure co-op positions for students.

With a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix, Erica brings over 13 years of experience in higher education, having held various roles throughout her career. She is passionate about mentoring students and is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment.

Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Erica enjoys spending quality time with her spouse and daughter, traveling to new places, visiting family in Greece, and relaxing at the beach.

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EunHae Lawlor serves as the Academic Advisor for the College of Professional Studies at Silicon Valley campus. In this role, she supports the students of the M.S. Project Management and M.P.S. Analytics programs through assisting students in mapping out their academic journeys, providing resources for educational exploration, and facilitating college programming and events. EunHae is passionate about the success of students within the College of Professional Studies and seeks to facilitate an inclusive environment that encourages growth and learning.
Prior to joining Northeastern University, EunHae worked in varying positions with the State of California and the California State University. She holds a master’s degree in Psychological Science from California State University, Chico. EunHae is from Sacramento, California, but now lives in San Jose. She enjoys going to the movie theater, having picnics, seeing family and friends, and seeking out new snacks to try.

Read EunHae's team member feature

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Sweeny Youkhane serves as the Assistant Director of Graduate Student Services at Khoury College, where she plays a pivotal role in ensuring students at both the Oakland and Silicon Valley campuses have an enriching experience. With a focus on supporting Northeastern students, Sweeny strives to create an environment where each student can thrive academically and personally.

Prior to her current position, Sweeny honed her skills as an academic advisor in the College of Engineering at the University of Washington. Her journey into education began as a second-grade teacher, where she spent several years nurturing young minds.

Sweeny's educational background is as diverse as her career experiences. She earned her Master's degree in Educational Counseling from the University of Southern California and her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Social Action from Palo Alto University.

Born and raised in San Jose, California, Sweeny has always had a passion for education and community. Outside of work, she finds joy in diving into the world of horror films and books, spending quality time with her beloved cat Salem, and expressing her creativity through painting and drawing on the weekends.

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Tori Bowser serves as the Graduate Student Services Coordinator for Khoury College at Northeastern University Silicon Valley. In this role, she provides personalized academic support and strategic planning for computer science students to ensure their success. She also organizes campus events to enhance the student experience and foster a sense of community among Khoury College students.

Previously, Tori served as a CSU STEM VISTA member, focusing on bridging equity gaps in undergraduate STEM education at San Jose State University. She developed the Learning Assistant Program, collaborating with faculty to promote active learning models and equip learning assistants with tools for fostering inclusive learning environments. Throughout her career, Tori has advocated for student-centered programming and engaged STEM students in diversity, belonging, equity, and inclusion. Tori is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning from Boise State University. Her passion for adult education, e-learning design, and development is matched only by her deep commitment to making education accessible, engaging, and inclusive. Her dedication to diversity, belonging, inclusion, and equity (DBIE) in STEM education drives her to create a supportive and empowering environment for all students.

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Ask me about:
• Course planning and your academic goals
• Resources to support your academic success

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Pamela Allen is the regional director of graduate recruitment at Khoury College of Computer Sciences at Northeastern University. Originally from Tennessee, Pamela moved to California as a child but continues to embrace her southern traditions. She holds a master's in Organizational Leadership and an MBA in Marketing, both from the University of Redlands, along with a bachelor's in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Phoenix.

With over 15 years in higher education, Pamela has served in various leadership roles, including senior associate director for events and outreach, regional director of recruitment for Los Angeles, and campus director at the University of Redlands. Her passion lies in helping learners navigate the grad school process and unlock their full potential, while also being a fierce advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She partners with organizations serving underrepresented groups in computer sciences, ensuring that all students feel they belong at Khoury College.

A champion for representation, Pamela lives by the motto, “If they see it, they can achieve it.” As a Black woman in tech, she understands the importance of diverse voices and is dedicated to amplifying those from historically marginalized communities.

Beyond her professional work, Pamela loves traveling and event planning, serving as the official organizer of her family reunions in Tennessee. She is married and enjoys life with her blended family of five in Southern California.

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Yichen Shao serves as the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Enrollment at Northeastern University Silicon Valley. In this role, she supports prospective students to find the best fit graduate programs to reach their long-term goals. Yichen is passionate to connect with learners from all walks of life and answer any questions related to admissions to Northeastern University. Before joining the Silicon Valley campus, she worked as the Transfer Admissions Counselor at San Jose State University, where she led the efforts to promote transfer pathways from community colleges to the San Jose State University. Yichen had eight years of experiences working with K-12 students in the teacher and educational consultant roles before she transitioned to work in the higher education spaces. She has a Master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership from San Jose State University, as well as a Master’s Graduate Certificate in Admissions and Career Counseling from UC Berkeley.

Yichen is originally from Suzhou, China. She went to high school in New York, and college in Chicago. She moved to the Bay Area in 2018 with her husband, and now lives in San Jose, CA. She enjoys taking care of her dog and plants at home, connecting with friends on the golf courses, and traveling the world for good food and wine with her growing family.

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Meredith Hutcheson joined the Bay Area Global Campus Marketing team in October 2020 as a marketing consultant before stepping into the role full-time in September of 2021. In her current position, Meredith works to promote Northeastern's graduate programs at both the Silicon Valley and Oakland campuses through a local lens. Prior to joining Northeastern, she worked as a marketing, communications, and branding consultant with a portfolio of clients including startups, non-profits, and SMBs. In this time, her primary interest was building a targeted and maintainable digital media stack for small, mission-driven clients. Prior to this, she built the communications and marketing department of a sharing economy travel platform called Couchsurfing.com as one of the first employees. The experience allowed her to develop skills across the fields of communications, user experience, community management, and media relations as the organization grew from a bootstrap non-profit to a venture-backed B Corporation.

Meredith's joy is exploring the world and trying new things, so amongst her other pursuits she has also been an EFL teacher in Chile, an apple-picker in New Zealand, a Turkish language student in Istanbul, and a gallery assistant in Paris. She grew up in Massachusetts and now lives in Oakland, CA.

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Meet our current Student Ambassador Team
Student Ambassadors are student leaders and vital members of the Student Services team at the Silicon Valley campus. The role of Student Ambassadors is to build community and serve as a voice for all students in the region. Student Ambassadors assist with and lead co-curricular educational programs, personal and professional development opportunities, and cultural and diversity experiences on and off campus. They also assist in connecting students to regional campus resources as well as Northeastern University resources across the network.

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