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Moderated by: Dylan Houle, Executive Director, Career Center, Santa Clara, CA
 
This 45-minute panel discussion followed by Q&A will feature an interview with several college or university presidents to discuss their perspectives on employment outcomes, how colleges and universities can work with industry to mutual benefit, and how career services fits into their institution’s strategic plan.
 
Attendees can expect to:
1) Gain a better understanding of how college and university presidents understand the strategic role of career services and employer relations
2) Learn what the top concerns and priorities are for college and university presidents regarding working with employer and industry partners
3) Obtain and apply practical advice for how to advocate to your college or university president for more influence, access and resources
 
Panelists: 
 
Farouk Dey, President, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA
Farouk Dey is the newly appointed President of Palo Alto University. He holds a PhD and
an EdS in Educational Leadership, an MBA, an MEd in Counseling Psychology, and a BBA in Finance. Most recently, he served as Vice Provost for Integrative Learning and Life Design at Johns Hopkins University, where he implemented a forward-thinking approach to student and alumni success and connected education with lifelong professional impact. Previously, as Dean of Career & Experiential Education at Stanford University, he increased funding, staffing, alumni-student connections, enrollment in professional development courses, and industry representation on campus to enrich students’ academic and professional experiences.
 
Steven Weiner, President, Menlo College, Atherton, CA
Steven Weiner has served as the President of Menlo College since 2017. His prior
professional experience included serving as Associate Dean/Principal Business Officer at the University of Chicago, Vice President/Division Manager at SAIC, and co-founder of Tolven, a healthcare information startup. Originally from Chicago, he now lives in California, splitting his time between the towns of Atherton and Sonoma.
 
Brad Smith, President, Marshall University, Huntington, WV
Brad D. Smith became president of Marshall University in January 2022 after a globally
recognized career in leadership and philanthropy. Formerly CEO and executive chairman of Intuit, Brad co-founded the Wing 2 Wing Foundation with his wife, Alys, to support education and entrepreneurship in Appalachia. The foundation's Ascend WV program recruits remote workers to West Virginia. A Marshall alumnus with a bachelor’s in business administration, Brad is committed to empowering future leaders. A proud “boy from Kenova,” Brad champions opportunities for his home state and its people.
 
Andre Stephens, President, Fresno Pacific University, Fresno, CA
As president of Fresno Pacific University, André Stephens, Ph.D., brings over 30 years of dedicated service to Christian higher education in California—guided by a steadfast belief: “Students’ success is our success.” Since beginning his tenure in July 2022, Dr. Stephens has led a collaborative, university-wide effort to enhance the student experience by streamlining policies, processes and procedures across all programs and campuses—traditional undergraduate, bachelor’s degree completion, graduate, and seminary. His leadership has already contributed to gains in enrollment and retention in key areas.
 
Dr. Stephens approaches the challenges facing higher education—such as shifting demographics and public skepticism—with both resolve and vision. He is equally attuned to the unique needs of California’s Central Valley, where economic barriers and historically low graduation rates call for bold and compassionate leadership.
A first-generation college graduate himself, Stephens earned his B.A. in Communication (Public Relations) from Biola University, his M.A. in Speech Communication (Intercultural/Interpersonal) from California State University, Fullerton, and his Ph.D. in Education (Higher Education Administration/Student Affairs) from Claremont Graduate University.