Just Off College Avenue

Being a non-traditional student comes with its struggles and advantages. In this episode, we talk with Andy Huffman, a 2nd year student, about his experience navigating the non-traditional student experience at UVA Wise. Want to connect with Andy? Reach out via Instagram (@huffmanandy13), Facebook, or through emailatyej8zq@uvawise.edu. Don’t forget to stay curious this summer! Andy has been stayin...

In today’s episode, we talk about applying to graduate school. From when to start considering graduate programs and information sessions to looking for funding, we cover it all with Mark McNalley! Currently, Mark works in graduate admissions at Purdue University’s Mitch Daniels School of Business, but his career in academia has allowed him to navigate various areas of student affairs and admission...

We are happy to have Natalie Blankenship, the Academic & Professional Program Manager with UVA Wise’s Office of Strategic Engagement & Government Relations, join us for this week’s episode! Natalie has a background working in admissions as well workforce readiness which makes her a great candidate to talk about continuing professional development after graduation. To participate in the pro...

Follow your dreams, or your passions in this case! Finding ways to make your passions the soul focus ofyour daily life is difficult and has many obstacles. Damean, a published alum, talks about when he identified his passion for literature and writing as well as how he was able to connect with the Appalachian Writer’s Guild community to foster his craft. Students who are interested in pursuing the...

Have you wondered how to get involved with research on campus and the impact it can have on your professional endeavors? In this episode, we talk with Kenley Eisenminger about their experience creating connections, finding their niche, and how presenting research has propelled their undergraduate career while attending UVA Wise. Have questions about pursuing research? You can reach Kenley on Insta...

Life is journey and so is your career! The idea of climbing the career ladder is outdated and doesn’t apply to most roles in our ever-changing work landscape. Tabitha knows this all too well as she has naturally navigated multiple career pivots throughout her career. This episode is intended to relieve some stress students and recent graduates may have about entering the world of work. Embrace the...

Managing mental health, and deciding whether the field is a good fit for your career, can be tricky. Today we talk with Stephanie Strouth, owner of Anchoring Hope Counseling in Wise, VA, about her choice to pivot her career goals as well as some advice on creating boundaries and cultivating happiness in your daily life. Interested in connecting with Stephanie? Check out her LinkedIn page ( https:/...

In today’s episode we talk aboutfood insecurity research with Karina Rufino, a graduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs and Recruiting at UVA Wise. From facts to resources available on- campus, we cover it all! If you are interested in getting involved with reducing hunger on campus, email COSHH@uvawise.edu ,stop by Karina’s off...

Blake Salyers is a UVA Wise alum who has dedicated his time to the economic growth of SWVA. In this episode, we talk with him about his first endeavor, Winze Company, as well as his work as the Innovation and Ecosystem Manager at UVA Wise. Blake has been recognized in several articles in recent years for his work, including: https://www.uvawise.edu/strategic-engagement-government-relations/news/20...

This episode is a live recorded session from the SWVA Internship Summit that was held on November 3, 2025. Kevin McGrail, KAM, talks to students about resumes as well as other tips based on his career knowledge. KAM started Peregrine Computer Consultants Corporation, PCCC, in 1993 with Khuja “Kyle” Rajimi and Richard “Rich” Choi. Since then, the company has worked alongside Google, government enti...

In this episode, CDP reviews some of the basic tips forstarting an internship or job search and navigating the application process. If you would like to read more about different aspects of the process, check outthis link for Brian Kruger’s College Grad Job Hunter website. If you are more of an interactive andvisual learner, we recommend using the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership’s Studen...

Mentoring through the Academic Success Center (ASC) has become an important element of UVA Wise within the last 5 years. To gain a better understanding of their program, CDP spoke with Will, Kendra, and Caitlyn about the inception of the Peer Mentor program as well as the significance of having a mentor through college and beyond. Interested in connecting with the ASC? Check them out through this...

In this episode of Just Off College Avenue, we talknetworking with long time Ballad HR Director, Valeri Coyler, and UVA Wise’s Director of Alumni Engagement, Corey Shanchez. Both guests offer valuable advice and insights into the world of networking. Want to connect with the Alumni Association to start making connections? Email Corey Shanchez or Katie Pridemore at alumni@uvawise.edu. You can also...

In this episode, Tonya and Josh give helpful information regarding resumes and CVs (Curriculum Vitae) to help put you on the right track for your job search! Many resources are mentioned and they offer insightful advice to make updating your document a no brainer. Find their contact information below and the UVA Wise website with several of the mentioned resources. UPike Optometry- https://www.upi...

In our Career Chats series we talk with alumni and professionals about their career pathways. Our first guest for this series is Jess Mullins Fullen! We are excited to have them talk about their work with Appalachia Funders Network as well as how their theater degree set the stage for their career lens during this episode. Appalachia Funders Network Report- https://www.appalachiafunders.org/state-...

In this episode, CDP talks with members of the Experiential Learning Hub at UVA Wise. Listen in for some great advice and what it means to learn experientially. From learning why the EL Hub exists to how they are supporting students, we cover it all. Resources : EL Hub webpage with contact info: https://www.uvawise.edu/academics/experiential-learning EL Hub Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/...

In this episode, Career Discovery and Planning gives an overview of their services as well as an in depth look into the resource linked on their webpage. Want to connect or jump into our resources? Check the links below. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uvawise_careers/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uva-wise-office-of-career-discovery-and-planning Webpage: https://www.uvawis...