Cal State San Bernardino’s new Career Center executive director says his vision for the center is to increase its visibility and access to resources, alumni, employers and community leaders, and to implement an interactive four-year career readiness program for students.

“First and foremost, we want to support our students with the very best services and programming possible to assist with reducing student uncertainty about life beyond CSUSB,” said Roger Woolsey, who joined the university in August with nearly 25 years’ experience in higher education with 11 years of directorship within career services.

Paz Olivérez, CSUSB’s vice president for Student Affairs, said Woolsey “brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the center.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Roger to CSUSB and the Division of Student Affairs,” Olivérez said. “He has an exciting vision for innovative new approaches to integrating career development across the campus and building stronger connections with employers throughout our region,” Olivérez said. “By planting the seeds of career exploration with students as soon as they set foot on campus, he aims to support student success by facilitating student engagement in internships and other opportunities for professional development during their time at CSUSB that ensure they graduate career-ready.”

Woolsey said the Career Center at both the main campus and the Palm Desert Campus prepares students for postgraduate success.

“We define success as admittance to graduate school, securing a fellowship, employment, and/or service,” Woolsey said. “We support all students with their unique interests via career education resources, counselling, programming, and employer relations and recruiting.”

Woolsey said one of the key elements will be working in collaboration with all stakeholders, including CSUSB faculty, alumni, staff, employers and community leaders.

“My objective is to utilize the collective wisdom and expertise within our communities to enhance the breadth and depth of professional development,” Woolsey said. “Simply put, I want students/alumni to have access to resources and human capital that together elevate postgraduate success and satisfaction.”

Woolsey previously directed the Center for Professional Development at Dartmouth College from 2013-19, and was the director of Career Services at Colby College from 2008-13. Woolsey is a former corporate executive and award-winning college professor experienced in integrated marketing communications, management consulting and entrepreneurship.

The mission of the CSUSB Career Center is to empower students and alumni in San Bernardino and the Palm Desert Campus to develop a lifelong skillset for an ever-changing labor market through exploration, programming, and experiential learning opportunities to meet their personal and professional goals.

To help meet this mission, the Career Center has adopted the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Competencies. NACE defines career readiness as the attainment and demonstration of requisite competencies that broadly prepare college graduates for a successful transition into the workplace.

The NACE Career Readiness Competencies serve as a foundation for the Career Center’s services and programs to ensure students are ready for the professional world of work upon graduation.

The executive director is responsible for the full-range of career services ranging from supporting academic planning, degree completion and career goal achievement. The center partners with Academic Affairs to ensure career services are integrated into the curricular experience. The center also builds and promotes a strong base of partnering/sponsoring organization employers and internship sites.

Woolsey holds a master’s degree in management and marketing communication from Emerson College and a bachelor’s degree in communication from San Diego State University. He enjoys working out, spending time with friends and watching his son play hockey.

For more information, visit the CSUSB Career Center website.