2023 Conference Keynotes
Rachel Allen, Associate Director of Student Services
School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon
Miranda Atkinson, Program Administrator for #instaballet
with a focus on community engagement, organizational growth, and development
School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon
Miranda Atkinson, Program Administrator for #instaballet
with a focus on community engagement, organizational growth, and development
Miranda and Rachel
Rachel Allen serves as the Associate Director of Student Services within the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon. Throughout the last twelve years, Rachel has championed the integration of career and academic advising within her department and the field. She earned a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Oregon and a M.Ed. in College Student Services Administration from Oregon State University. Since the start of her advising tenure, Rachel has been actively involved in The Global Community for Academic Advising (NACADA) and her campus community. Rachel is passionate about creating comprehensive and holistic advisor training programs, supporting first-generation students, and career coaching. Raised in Oregon, Rachel enjoys experiencing all the seasons while walking her dog, perfecting vegetarian recipes, and finding alternative solutions for sustainable living.
Miranda Atkinson serves as the Program Administrator and administrative leader of #instaballet, a local, non-profit dance company that facilitates community-generated choreography to impact equitable access to dance in the community. She has worked in advising for thirteen years, twelve of them at the University of Oregon. She has held multiple leadership roles in advising units, most recently as the Director in Tykeson College and Career Advising. In her prior role within the School of Journalism and Communication, she focused on integrating academic and career advising within her unit and contributions to the field. After earning her B.S. in Psychology with minors in Biology and English, Miranda completed an M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology, with a Sport Psychology emphasis from the University of Missouri. She is passionate about integrating career and academic advising, student mental health, and supporting equitable student access to advising, resources, and opportunities. In her role as an arts administrator, Miranda focuses on increasing equitable access to dance and equity within the dance community. You can find Miranda dancing, enjoying being outside in Oregon, and spending time with her family in her free time.
Rachel and Miranda have been colleagues, co-researchers, and friends for over a decade. They have presented nationally, regionally, and locally on integrating career advising into student support services, advocating for a holistic approach to student support. Their presentations and research focus on investigating concrete strategies that have broad applicability and are supported by both theory and practice. In 2023, their book chapter addressing the impact of integrated career support for students who transfer will be published in Ensuring Success for Students Who Transfer: The importance of career and professional development.
Miranda Atkinson serves as the Program Administrator and administrative leader of #instaballet, a local, non-profit dance company that facilitates community-generated choreography to impact equitable access to dance in the community. She has worked in advising for thirteen years, twelve of them at the University of Oregon. She has held multiple leadership roles in advising units, most recently as the Director in Tykeson College and Career Advising. In her prior role within the School of Journalism and Communication, she focused on integrating academic and career advising within her unit and contributions to the field. After earning her B.S. in Psychology with minors in Biology and English, Miranda completed an M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology, with a Sport Psychology emphasis from the University of Missouri. She is passionate about integrating career and academic advising, student mental health, and supporting equitable student access to advising, resources, and opportunities. In her role as an arts administrator, Miranda focuses on increasing equitable access to dance and equity within the dance community. You can find Miranda dancing, enjoying being outside in Oregon, and spending time with her family in her free time.
Rachel and Miranda have been colleagues, co-researchers, and friends for over a decade. They have presented nationally, regionally, and locally on integrating career advising into student support services, advocating for a holistic approach to student support. Their presentations and research focus on investigating concrete strategies that have broad applicability and are supported by both theory and practice. In 2023, their book chapter addressing the impact of integrated career support for students who transfer will be published in Ensuring Success for Students Who Transfer: The importance of career and professional development.
