Staff

Toi Tyson is an Assistant Dean and the Executive Director of the Career Development Center at Rutgers-Newark, where she provides the department’s principal leadership and works to support students career success through our comprehensive career development office within RU-N’s large, diverse, thriving, urban college environment. She also oversees career services for RU-N’s academic programs, ensuring programming and services support students’ various career pursuits. She also works to develop strategic roadmaps for the RU-N career ecosystem through collaboration with partners.

Her career began in corporate management, later transitioning to a career in higher education. She has worked at Rutgers as a career services professional and adjunct professor for over 20 years. Throughout her time at Rutgers, she has had an array of liaison responsibilities, industry and alumni engagement roles, and advisement experience for students with diverse needs. A Newark native, she takes particular pride in her ability to contribute to the career success of the RU-N campus community. Alongside this, she has a passion for empowering those around her, aiding in their professional development and attainment of success.

Whitney Kerr (They/She) is a self-proclaimed “career development nerd.” As a career development practitioner-researcher, she has experience in program development and assessment, student advising, experiential learning, and team leadership. Whitney’s goal is to help students “grow and glow personally and professionally” by taking a holistic approach to coaching and focusing on the development of the “bigger picture” rather than “one stroke.” Her mission is to guide and empower students toward personal and professional growth and success. As Associate Director of Campus Engagement, Whitney oversees all career readiness initiatives, including career coaching, program development, and career education.

Before serving in her current role at Rutgers-Newark, Whitney served as Director of Career and Workforce Development at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania and as Inaugural Senior Co-op Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Drexel University’s Steinbright Career Development Center. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Studies from Bowie State University and a Master of Science in Career Development from The College of New Rochelle. She is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Policy, Planning, and Administration with a concentration in Higher Education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

Whitney is an active member of several organizations, including the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Whitney loves cooking and listening to music in her spare time.

Bio

Hometown: Cambria Heights, NY

Hobbies: I enjoy doing anything creative! Cooking, music, art, all of that!

Advice to students: Experience is EVERYTHING and EVERYWHERE! You can develop a significant amount of experience outside of internships and fieldwork! Join an club, do some volunteer work, start an organization! Develop your soft/transferable skills to plump up your resume!

Education

West Chester University of Pennsylvania  – Doctor of Education in Policy, Planning, and Administration (Current)

The College of New Rochelle – Master of Science in Career Development (2019)

Bowie State University – Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Studies (2015)

Previous Roles

• Director of Career and Workforce Development – Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
• Senior Cooperative Education Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Drexel University
• Undergraduate Cooperative Education Advisor – Drexel University
• Graduate Career Development Intern – The College of New Rochelle
• Special Education Teaching Assistant – New York City Department of Education
• Division Leader – Oasis Children’s Services
• Group Leader – Oasis Children’s Services
• Sales Associate – Ashley Stewart

An alumnus of Rutgers University Newark, Josh Iannuzzi returns to his alma mater with a proven track record of success, most recently serving as the Director of Career Services at the New Jersey City University (NJCU), School of Business in Jersey City, N.J. For the past fourteen years, Josh has demonstrated an unwavering passion for building meaningful relationships and creating opportunities for often underserved communities. 

In his time at NJCU, Josh spearheaded initiatives that connected diverse talent with organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to mid-level and small businesses. Through his relationship-building and managerial efforts, thousands of students and alumni have secured competitive career opportunities, and he has continuously fostered bridges between academia and the professional world. With a keen focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Josh created and managed several partnership programs with esteemed organizations to engage, connect with, and employ diverse first-generation students, helping to develop their industry experience, knowledge, and networks. Such partnerships also catalyzed his ability to seek and generate high-dollar grants and other revenue streams for programs earmarked toward the needs of underserved students. His work experiences also include roles with non-profit organizations and workforce development initiatives. Josh’s dedication to creating opportunities, fostering relationships, and advocating for populations with steep barriers exemplifies a commitment to both professional excellence and community impact.  

Josh holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Rutgers University Newark, where his final thesis focused on barriers to employment. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Communications at Marist College (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.). His academic achievements include induction into Pi Alpha Alpha, the Global Honor Society for Public Administration & Affairs.   

Bio 

Hometown: Bloomfield, NJ 

Hobbies: Spending time with family/friends, engaging the public to participate in the election/voting process, live music, travel, and fantasy sports are just a few of Josh’s favorite things.  

Advice to students: Josh is a firm believer in “Planned Happenstance Theory” which recognizes that unplanned events can create new knowledge, networking, and/or opportunities. The theory holds that it is not always necessary to plan a career in the conventional sense. Instead, it is important to be flexible, step outside your comfort zone, take chances, and prepare to pivot. By building your experience and network, you are investing in your professional success. Take initiative, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and always, always, always, put your best foot forward! 

Education 

Rutgers University – Newark – Master of Public Administration (2016) 

Marist College  – Bachelor of Arts in Communications – Concentration: Public Relations & Sports Communications; Minor: Psychology (2006) 

Previous Roles 

• Director of Career Services – New Jersey City University (NJCU), School of Business 
• Internship Coordinator – New Jersey City University (NJCU) 
• Development Officer/Grant Writer - Newark Public Library 
• Employer Relations Program Manager – Jersey City Employment & Training Program 
• Senior Account Executive/Grant Writer – America Works of New York, Inc.  
• Direct Support Professional / Transportation Manager – JSDD, WAE Center 
• Deputy Youth Vote Director/Field Organizer – Organizing for America, Barack Obama Presidential Campaign 
• Field Marketing and Sales Manager – Ardea Beverages 
• Direct Support Professional/Group Home Counselor – Greystone 

Theresa has spent the entire current century (yes, since 2000, just post-Y2K) at the Career Development Center, which she calls “an adventurous and rewarding trip.” She has played many different roles over the years, most recently as Senior Program Coordinator for Campus Engagement and the Peer Career Ambassador (PCA) Program. Theresa trains and supervises student PCAs, who serve as our office’s first point of contact, bringing our services to meet the ever-changing needs of our student populace. Furthermore she is also a career coach, which has offered the privilege of meeting thousands of students over the years, seeing them grow as they learn about careers and more importantly, themselves. In true lifelong New Jerseyan fashion, Theresa holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from The College of New Jersey. In addition, she is a New Jersey Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor.

Bio
Hometown: Hillsborough, New Jersey
Things I enjoy: Going to plays and concerts, choir singing, volunteering at church, traveling, reading
Advice to students: “If you want to be a true professional, do something outside yourself.” — Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Education
The College of New Jersey, Ewing, New Jersey
Master of Arts, Counseling
Bachelor of Arts, English, minor in Communication Studies

Previous Roles
• Career Management Specialist/Career Counselor – Rutgers University-Newark
• Part-Time Therapist/Career Coach – InnerWellth, LLC
• Distance Career Counselor Per Diem – ReadyMinds, LLC
• Career Counseling Intern – Bucks County (PA) Community College
• Practicum Student – Catholic Charities (Diocese of Trenton)
• Admin Assistant/Manpower Temp – Mathematica Policy Research*
• Residence Hall Security (Student Job) – The College of New Jersey
• Sales Associate – Stern’s Department Stores
• Cashier – A&P Supermarkets

* Held a variety of other temp jobs in different organizations, but the Mathematica position was one that started out as a summer assignment that turned into two years.

Henry Rodriguez is a Sr. Program Coordinator and Career Coach, who meets directly with students in one-on-one coaching engagements to provide guidance and support as well as facilitate programming to address student interests and provide opportunities for engagement with career professionals.

As a Newark resident born and bred, he has a strong connection to the Rutgers-Newark family and has been involved on the Rutgers-Newark Campus since he came here as a first-year student in 1984. He obtained his first staff position at Rutgers-Newark in 1988 and throughout his career, has always been focused on the student experience and providing support and guidance.

Bio
Hometown: Newark, NJ
Hobbies: Gardening and gaming
Advice to students: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken”. – Oscar Wilde

Education
Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

Previous Roles

• Career Management Specialist – Rutgers Newark – Career Development Center
• Assistant Director – Rutgers Newark – Office of Student Life and Leadership
• Academic Advisor – Rutgers Newark – Newark College of Arts and Sciences
• Operations Manager – Rutgers Newark – Paul Robeson Campus Center
• Audio Visual Technician – Rutgers Newark – Paul Robeson Campus Center