College Liaisons

As the Associate Director of Career Services for Career and Talent Development in the College of Engineering and Computing, Nelly Leon leads the career office in the College of Engineering and Computing with career advising, employer engagement, career readiness programming and fostering relationships with FIU and community stakeholders. Before joining the FIU Career and Talent Development Team with the College of Engineering and Computing, she worked at the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs for 7 years as a Career Specialist. She currently serves as the Membership Engagement Director for the Florida Association of Colleges and Employers.

Nelly has a passion for providing career coaching to students and alumni, facilitating professional development workshops on all career related topics and collaborates with campus and community partners to deliver career readiness programming. Her passion also included training and development and leading her team to provide the best service for FIU students and employers.

Nelly loves to garden, travel, exercise and to hang out with my family, friends, three cats and her cockatiel bird!

Top 5 Strengths
Relator, Arranger, Discipline, Includer, Responsibility

Audrey Johnson serves as Career Specialist in the Career and Talent Development Department at Florida International University (FIU). Her educational background includes master’s in Higher Education and Human Resources. Audrey provides career development advise to computer science/IT students as well as support employers looking to recruit from this student population.

Top 5 Strengths

Learner, Developer, Positivity, Analytical, Restorative

Clotilde M. Picart-Laguer is a Career Specialist with more than 20 years of experience in labor law. Ms. Picart-Laguer’s educational background includes a Juris Doctorate and master’s in labor relations from Interamerican University, and a bachelor’s degree in systems of justice from Universidad del Sagrado Corazon in Puerto Rico. She served as an administrative judge in labor matters and represented the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in labor and torts disputes and real estate endeavors. In addition, she was a solo-practitioner in family and labor matters representing the interests of marginalized individuals before the judicial court of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.

Top 5 Strengths
Connectedness, Learner, Intellection, Context, Strategic

David Telleria is a Career Specialist with an extensive background in facilitating students’ academic and career success. David holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from Rollins College and a master’s degree in Mass Communication from Florida International University. Previous roles include Director of Student Services, eServices Coordinator, and Career Center Specialist.

Recently, David found his passion as an educator in the classroom, teaching Public Speaking and Speech and Writing for Business, among others. With experience and expertise in advising, academic support services, and teaching, David understands the student experience. He considers thoughtful self-analysis combined with strategic career exploration fundamental to achieving long-term and rewarding career success.

Top 5 Strengths
Strategic, Context, Relator, Learner, Competition

Adri Pinera-Cruz is an FIU alum whose Career Adventure kicked off in 2014 when she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology as a proud first-gen student. She kept the momentum going, leveling up with a Master of Arts in Social Psychology from Clark University up in chilly Worcester, MA.

At the core of her professional philosophy is helping students navigate the wild rollercoaster of confusion and questions to uncover their true passions and goals. She’s all about empathy, understanding, and genuinely wanting to see her students have joy and fulfillment in their post-FIU lives.

Adri’s dedication to her field extends beyond her daily responsibilities, as evidenced by her active involvement in key professional organizations. A proud member of NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) and Florida ACE (Florida Association of Colleges & Employers), Adri holds certifications in both the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) and the Strengths Interest Inventory, further attesting to her commitment to professional development. She also serves as a mentor for the FIU’s Pride Center and a Safe Zone facilitator.

Outside of her professional pursuits, she is all about family, friends, and the fab four (her dogs). Catch her diving into story-driven video games, rolling the dice in TTRPGs, and binging on documentaries about theme parks. Despite being a dedicated Career Specialist, she knows it’s not just about work, but about embracing the chaos and finding joy in the mix of it all.

Top 5 Strengths

Strategic, Communication, Relator, Activator, Context

Jacqueline (Jackie) Feliz is a highly skilled and versatile professional with a diverse background in business, law, government, and psychology. With over six years of experience as a Career Consultant and Student Advisor, Jackie brings a unique perspective to her role, drawing from her extensive knowledge in these fields.

Prior to her profession in career services, Ms. Feliz gained valuable experience as a business owner. This firsthand experience provided her with a deep understanding of the challenges and intricacies of running a successful business. Her expertise in business management, strategic planning, and problem-solving allows her to offer practical and insightful advice to students and professionals seeking guidance in their career paths.

In addition to her business acumen, Jackie’s educational background in law has equipped her with a strong foundation in legal principles and critical thinking. This knowledge enables her to provide valuable insights into the legal aspects of various industries and professions. Whether it’s advising on contract negotiations, intellectual property rights, or compliance issues, Jackie’s understanding of the law adds a valuable dimension to her career counseling services.

Furthermore, Jackie’s experience in the government sector, specifically with The Town of Bay Harbor Islands and Miami Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM), has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of public administration and policy-making processes. This expertise allows her to guide students and professionals interested in pursuing careers in government or navigating the complexities of public sector employment.

Lastly, Jackie’s minor in psychology enhances her ability to connect with individuals on a deeper level. She recognizes the importance of understanding the unique motivations, aspirations, and challenges that individuals face in their personal and professional lives. By incorporating psychological principles into her counseling approach, Jackie is able to provide holistic support and guidance to help individuals achieve their career and personal development goals.

Recognizing the value of continuous learning, Ms. Feliz has chosen to pursue a Master of Science Degree in Higher Education Administration at her alma mater, Florida International University. This further education will equip her with advanced knowledge and skills to better serve her students and stay abreast of the latest trends and best practices in the field of higher education.

Overall, Jackie’s diverse background in business, law, government, and psychology, combined with her passion for helping others, make her a highly effective and well-rounded Career Specialist at The Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs.

Top 5 Strengths
Developer, Relator, Individualization, Empathy, Activator

Isabel Capella is the Career Specialist for the Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work. In this role, she brings her diverse professional background to assist FIU students and alumni in their career development journey. Isabel is a proud Panther and a two-time alumna of Florida International University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and a master’s degree in Public Health with a specialization in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Her journey at FIU spans over 15 years. Beyond her academic achievements, Isabel holds various certifications and utilizes these tools to guide individuals in discovering their career paths. Among her certifications are: Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), Integrated Wellness and Life Coach (IWLC), Strong Interest Inventory® and the MBTI® assessment. Previously to her current role, Isabel contributed to the university’s Healthy Living Program as a health educator, fostering student well-being through health education initiatives. Isabel is a multi-passionate professional committed to empowering the FIU community through career guidance, employer engagement, and training and development initiatives.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Isabel is a foodie, an avid traveler, and a passionate advocate for women’s health and the development of the Latino community in higher education.

Top 5 Strengths

Adaptability, Connectedness, Learner, Input, Belief

Natasha Holloman is a Career Specialist for Career and Talent Development and the College of Arts, Sciences and Education (CASE) Advising. She has earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Education in Higher Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University. Prior to joining FIU’s Career Team, Natasha served as an Academic Advisor for about 9 years. Natasha has a passion for helping students achieve their educational and career goals. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling and exercising.

Top 5 Strengths

Achiever, Relator, Discipline, Focus, Harmony

Andrea Cuadra is the Career Specialist for The Honors College. She earned both her BA degree in Spanish and M.Ed. & Ed.S. degrees in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Florida. Her previous experience was in mental health counseling and most recently she served as a career advisor helping students and academic advisors with CASE Advising & FIU’s Career and Talent Development. She is excited to build relationships with students in the college and help them work towards their career goals.

Top 5 Strengths
Empathy, Deliberative, Relator, Intellection, Arranger

Originally from Hialeah, Florida, Lyzbeth attended Florida International University where she earned a degree in Anthropology & Sociology. She later returned to FIU for a Masters in Global & Sociocultural Studies. Under the guidance of her dedicated faculty, she focused on systems of power, inequality, and posthumanism.

Prior to joining the Student-Athlete Academic Center (SAAC), Lyzbeth worked in special education where she deepened her passion for helping others succeed. As an Academic Coordinator for the SAAC, she supported student-athletes in managing their academic responsibilities and ensuring timely graduation. In her current role, she has the privilege of guiding student-athletes through the steps and skills they need to achieve their post-graduate goals.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Lyzbeth enjoys exploring nature, learning new things, and spending time with her loved ones.

5 top strengths

Learner, Empathy, Adaptability, Intellection, Developer

As the Career Specialist for Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM). Lauren works in the Student Life and Development unit within the Office of Student Affairs. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and M.S. in Higher Education Administration from FIU. She is responsible for promoting the career guidance program and planning workshops and events to aid our medical students’ successful transition into residency.

Lauren has worked with various student populations at Florida International University, providing academic and career planning to foster student development. Her previous roles include graduate admissions and academic advising at the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Top 5 Strengths

Discipline, Deliberative, Intellection, Analytical, Focus