Career Champions Program

What is a Career Champion? 

Career Champions are University of Florida faculty and staff who actively support students’ career development by integrating career education into their teaching, advising, and campus programs. The Career Champions Program recognizes these individuals for their commitment to preparing students for life beyond the University of Florida and provides continued learning opportunities to enhance these supports.

Career education doesn’t just happen in the Career Connections Center; it happens wherever students learn, lead, and grow. This program empowers faculty and staff with training, resources, and conversations that make career development more accessible, consistent, and meaningful. By becoming a Career Champion, UF faculty and staff help embed career readiness into the student experience and strengthen student success at every stage.

Why Become a Career Champion? 

Preparing students to be world ready takes all of us, every corner of the UF community matters.

Faculty and staff engage with students where they spend their time: classrooms, clubs, residence halls, and co-curricular spaces. These are the places where meaningful learning happens. While the Career Connections Center serves as a vital resource, career education must be woven throughout every student’s UF experience.

Students choose the University of Florida to prepare for their futures. The Career Champions Program celebrates the remarkable work you’re already doing to support this mission and offers resources to help you deepen and expand that impact.

You are already making a difference.

It might not always be a formal program or a full course, it can be a conversation, a new way of presenting material, an assignment, or a moment of reflection. Career Champions honors this essential work and provides the tools and opportunities to grow your career-support efforts even further.

UF’s standing as a preeminent institution is built in no small part on your dedication to Gator learners. From expert instruction to innovative programming, you help students extend their learning beyond the classroom and into their careers and lives.

This shared commitment is what we call One UF; a student-centered ecosystem preparing graduates with knowledge, purpose, and a strong network of support. Becoming a Career Champion is your chance to strengthen that mission by embedding career readiness as a meaningful, consistent part of the UF experience.

Who Can Be a Career Champion?

We welcome all UF professionals who support student career and professional development:

• Student-facing staff (part-time and full-time)
• Graduate assistants and postdoctoral scholars
• Lecturers, adjuncts, clinical faculty, and tenure-track faculty

Benefits of Being a Career Champion

Recognition & Visibility

• Public spotlight on the C3 website and newsletters
• Letter of recognition from C3 leadership for your annual review or tenure packet

Professional Development

• Invitations to exclusive trainings and “Train-the-Trainer” sessions
• Access to employer insights and industry consultations
• Influence the future of career services at UF through ongoing feedback opportunities

Networking & Engagement

• Priority invitations to Career Treks, Institutes, and employer-hosted events
• Access to UF Career Fairs and the Career Engagement Summit
• Serve in volunteer roles that align with your expertise
• Attend Champions-only networking events

Campus Impact

• Present your work at the Faculty & Staff Career Symposium
• Collaborate with C3 to integrate career education into your department or program
• Host signature programs, education sessions, or working groups in your unit

Champions in Action

Meet some of UF’s Career Champions—faculty and staff who are embedding career into the student experience every day. 

Dr. Frederick Kates

Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Public Health and Health Professions
Dr. Kates connects classroom learning to real-world impact. From teaching ArcGIS and Zotero to mentoring students through research, grad school apps, and healthcare careers, he helps Gators see how their work translates into purpose.

Roberta “Bobbi” Knickerbocker

Director of Pre-Health Post-Bac Program and Senior Lecturer, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Bobbi supports pre-health students through reflection, skill-building, and experience. Her courses and internships empower students—especially first-gen Gators—to find their “why” and pursue careers with confidence.

Anita Rao

Program Director, UF Innovate | Pathways
Anita turns research into career opportunity. Through fellowships, I-Corps, and new innovation courses, she connects students with real-world experiences at NASA, NIH, and beyond—bringing career readiness to the heart of discovery.

Sierra McVeigh

Transition Advisor, Student Success
Sierra blends advising and career development to help students design purposeful paths. Whether through one-on-one conversations, campus-wide resources, or classroom workshops, she makes career exploration part of every Gator's journey.