Meet the Career, Alumni, and Industry Engagement Team (CAI)

Andrea Carpenter has been with Kogod since 2011 and leads the Office of Career Engagement team of professional and student staff to deliver career services and programming for undergraduate, specialty MS, MBA, and alumni populations. As a Nationally Certified Counselor and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, she works with students and alumni using a strengths-focused approach to gain a better understanding of themselves and the world of work and provides the resources for them to connect their skills and interests with meaningful career opportunities. Andrea earned a BS in Psychology from University of Valley Forge (formerly VFCC) as well as an MS in College Student Personnel from Shippensburg University.

Prior to joining American University’s Kogod School of Business as the Associate Director for Graduate Career Development, Robin Marks spent her career in corporate recruiting and higher education. Most recently, as the Senior Technical Recruiter at Azul 3D, Robin ran all strategic recruiting initiatives for the 3D printing start-up. Robin spent 10+ years in higher education, leading teams in the career centers at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the University of Delaware. Robin maintained a private coaching and therapy practice in Charlotte, NC. Robin started her career in recruiting for 2 major law firms in the Washington, DC area. She received her Master of Philosophy in Education in Professional Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania and her Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics and Government from American University. Robin is a proud AU Eagle and enjoys making an impact on the careers of AU Kogod graduate students.

Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach

My Top 5 CliftonStrengths are: Restorative | Connectedness | Context | Adaptability | Arranger

I work with MS and MBA students, both currently enrolled (in-person or virtual) and alumni.

Kelli Carroll is the Assistant Director of Graduate Career Development at American University’s Kogod School of Business, where she provides personalized coaching and career strategy for MBA and specialized master’s students, as well as alumni. She designs and facilitates workshops, integrates career education into the student experience, and partners with faculty and employers to deliver relevant, impactful programming. With CliftonStrengths of Woo, Relator, Arranger, Communicator, and Activator, Kelli is known for her ability to energize, connect, and organize with purpose. Her background spans higher education, tech bootcamps, and leadership development, giving her a unique perspective on workforce trends and employer expectations. A proud HBCU alumna and advocate for inclusive career practices, Kelli is passionate about helping students gain clarity, build confidence, and take bold steps toward their goals.

Gabriel Pickett is a career services professional dedicated to providing exemplary service to current students and alumni from diverse academic, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Led by his passion for student success and helping others, he seeks to greatly impact and support the next generation of career professionals.

Gabriel comes to the American University Kogod School of Business from the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, where he served as the Program Manager for Employer Relations. In this role, he strengthened key employer partnerships while also supporting student groups and the growth of the School’s Sports Management and Real Estate Programs. 

Before his time with the Business School, Gabriel worked as a Career Outreach Specialist for the University Career Center and the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. In this role, he was uniquely positioned as both an industry specialist and a career advisor, supporting over 5000 students and alumni. 

Gabriel obtained both his Bachelor’s and his Master’s degrees from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Jessetta Ray (she/her) brings abundant experience to American University Kogod School of Business working with diverse student populations in counseling and postsecondary education.  She received her master’s degree in Adult Education and School Counseling from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.  She is pursuing a doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from Liberty University. She is a Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths Coach who helps individuals elevate their natural talents. She strongly advocates diversity, equity, and inclusion for all individuals.  She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She loves spending time with her family creating memories, traveling, and golfing.  ​​​​​​​

Top 5 CliftonStrengths are: Relator | Focus | Achiever | Includer | Belief

Brandy Rodgers is a graduate of Springfield College with a Bachelors of Science degree in Human Services and Masters of Science Degree in Organizational Management & Leadership from Wilmington University. She has over 16 years of cumulative educational experience in grades K-12 and higher education. Over the course of her career, she has served as a teacher, scholar services coordinator, middle school dean and more. Her experience includes coaching, program implementation, managerial roles, student engagement, facilitation, and more. Her passion for student success allowed her to become a Gallup-Certified Clifton Strengths coach, using her Woo, Communication, Positive, Developer, and Consistency talents to lead others to sucess. Her passion to see young people evolve, fuels her everyday work; allowing her space to grow continually. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her niece and nephews, traveling and meeting new people.

Bennett has a BA in Digital Media Production from SUNY New Paltz, and an MS in Climate Science from Northern Arizona University.

He manages student platforms and marketing for Kogod Career Development, providing technical and logistical support for career tech resources and informing students, staff, faculty, and employers of opportunities through the Career Development office.

In his spare time, Bennett is an avid cyclist. You’ll see him on the trails in and around DC, catch him if you can!

Ray Ruiz is a nationally recognized recruiting leader, early career mentor, and DEI champion known for building positive, empowering candidate experiences and cultivating diverse, inclusive workforces. Currently Director of Industry Engagement at American University’s Kogod School of Business, Ray leverages over two decades of expertise across higher education, professional services, non-profit, and Fortune 500 settings to elevate employer relations, develop talent pipelines, and champion workplace diversity.  

He previously led national campus recruiting for Mazars USA (now Forvis Mazars), spearheaded strategic university relations at Northrop Grumman Mission Systems and KPMG, and directed recruiting and market development roles with Enactus US and Surgent CPA Review. Ray’s leadership in strategic event planning, partnership building, and skills-based recruiting has had a transformative impact at every stage, from designing impactful internship programs to overseeing recruitment teams across the United States. 

Actively involved in industry and community organizations, Ray has served with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE), and the Baltimore Area Recruiters Network. He has been a dedicated board member for Indian Youth Camp Ministries since 1992 and is a Workhuman Certified Professional. 

Ray holds a B.S. in History from Towson State University. He has been married to his wife Deb for 28 years and is a proud father of four children. 

Nini Asikin is an experienced Early Career Talent Acquisition leader with over 18 years of expertise in recruiting, program design, and employer relations. As Industry Engagement Specialist at the Kogod School of Business, Nini is dedicated to forging strategic connections between employers and top student talent, enhancing business readiness and supporting meaningful career outcomes for Kogod students. 

Before joining Kogod, Nini led campus recruiting and built internship programs that made career connections smooth and rewarding for everyone involved. She knows how to get companies in front of students and makes those connections count. Always ready to spark fresh ideas and new partnerships, Nini is passionate about helping organizations and future talent thrive, one conversation at a time. 

Ken Rigberg is an accomplished industry engagement specialist and talent acquisition professional with over a decade of experience spanning higher education, large-scale corporations, and global staffing agencies. In his role as Industry Engagement Specialist at the Kogod School of Business, American University, Ken fosters strategic partnerships and cultivates career-building opportunities for students across the finance, real estate, technology, and sustainability sectors. He is dedicated to connecting undergraduate, master’s, and MBA students with top employers through targeted outreach, dynamic recruitment events, and collaborative initiatives with faculty and career coaches, all designed to align academic preparation with current industry demands. 

Ken’s career includes significant roles at major organizations such as Capital One and Fannie Mae, where he excelled in corporate recruitment and consistently surpassed hiring goals by leveraging market research, process improvement, and data-driven decision-making. In addition to his corporate experience, Ken further honed his expertise working with global and boutique staffing agencies like AQUENT, recruiting for a wide range of specialized and technical roles. Early in his career, Ken served as a Career Services Advisor at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, guiding students in career development and organizing impactful events, including portfolio showcases and job fairs. This breadth of experience has provided Ken with deep insights into both internal recruitment and the dynamic world of agency staffing, fueling his passion for supporting student and professional advancement by bridging the gap between academia and industry. 

Kaitlyn Gibbens is the Program Manager of Applied Learning at American University’s Kogod School of Business, where she has led impactful program development and management since Fall 2022, driven by a passion for collaborating with start-up and small business clients. With a proven ability to conceptualize and implement new initiatives, she has expanded live client projects with Kogod faculty, launched the MBA Consulting Initiative, and organized annual events that enhance experiential education across the school. Kaitlyn is a Fulbright alum who taught English in Germany, and she brings entrepreneurial spirit to her work as the founder of Lil Treat, a home bakery startup in Annapolis. Her career reflects a commitment to hands-on learning, stakeholder experience, and innovative program growth in higher education.

Kaitlyn holds a B.A. in Corporate Communications and German from Baylor University and a M.A. in International Relations from Syracuse University. You can find her on the weekends baking for Lil Treat, serving coffee at Oscar’s Coffee in Annapolis, or lounging on the couch with her loving partner, Mason, and their two cats, Crabcake and Old Bay.