HireBig10+ Career Consortium Recognizes Susan Bennett as the 2024 Outstanding Career Services Professional of the Year
On July 16, 2024, the HireBig10+ Career Consortium recognized Susan Bennett, associate director of first-year career engagement, with the Outstanding Career Services Professional of the Year Award. Susan is a dedicated team member within the Rutgers—New Brunswick Office of Career Exploration and Success (CES). Nominations were accepted across all HireBig10+ Career Consortium schools for this annual prestigious award.
Susan is a committed higher education professional supporting high-impact first-year career programs. She has served Rutgers students for over ten years through CES’s First-Year Interest Group Seminars (FIGS) and as an adjunct instructor. Susan currently leads the FIGS program and is involved with the program’s development, leading peer instructors and managing approximately 80 sections of FIGS courses designed to help first-year students learn about the resources at Rutgers through the lens of a career interest area.
Susan earned a Master of Science in College Student Personnel from Miami University and a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Sociology from Bucknell University. Her dedication and concern for the welfare of all students is widely recognized.
William Jones, executive director of the Office of Career Exploration and Success, states that "Susan Bennett's dedication to our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts has transformed our CES office, making a profound impact on both staff and students alike. Her leadership and initiative in creating educational opportunities have been nothing short of inspiring, setting a new standard for career professionals everywhere." In addition, Jones maintains that "Susan Bennett's exceptional work with the First-year Interest Group Seminars within CES has elevated the program to new heights, significantly enhancing the learning experiences of our first-year students. Her innovative approach and commitment to student development have made a lasting impact on our Rutgers community."
“Susan is a thoughtful professional who has effectively steered the FIGS Program through significant growth and transformation,” said Sue Pye, director of career discovery. “Her commitment extends beyond enriching the experiences of first-year students to also nurturing the growth of Peer Instructors, interns, and staff. She is an adept problem-solver and continually turns challenges into opportunities.”
Eileen Hallman, assistant director, first-year career engagement, added that “Susan leads our team with compassion and empathy. I have never felt more supported than I do working with her.”
The Career Exploration and Success team is proud of Susan and her accomplishments. Her recognition by the HireBig10+ Career Consortium reflects her hard work and passion for serving Rutgers students.
The HireBig10+ Career Consortium is a national network of dedicated career services professionals from the Big Ten schools, DePaul University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Notre Dame. This group is dedicated to expanding the professional practices of career services. This is the fifth time in 10 years that the Consortium has recognized career services professionals from the Office of Career Exploration and Success for their outstanding contributions to student career success and the broader career services community.
