Career Services Staff
Our University of Michigan School of Public Health Careers Team includes 4 full-time staff, 3 peer coaches, and 1 data & assessment intern. We work together collaboratively to create meaningful support for Michigan Public Health students while fostering a staff culture of care, encouragement, innovation, growth, and appreciation.
Professional Staff
Associate Director: Ari Renda, PhD
Email: arirenda@umich.edu
Hi! My name is Ari Renda and I’m the Associate Director of Career Services at the School of Public Health. In this role, I develop and lead the direction of our career services and programming based on the insightful feedback of students, staff, employers, and alumni. Through integrating career development strategies, wellness coaching practices, and anti-oppression frameworks, I work to create inclusive environments where students can experience holistic support that affirms their unique strengths, experiences, motivations, identities, backgrounds, and goals.
I’ve been working in the field of Career Services for 7+ years, leading career development programming for Undergraduate, Masters, and Doctoral students at various units across University. I also have experience engaging in various areas of Public Health including working as a family advocate in medical and legal settings, researching and teaching Environmental Justice at University of Michigan, facilitating training on mental health first aid and trauma-informed services, and engaging in organizing efforts focused on community care and safety. I’m grateful to work with talented and driven Public Health students whose passions, dreams, and motivations give me hope every day.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading fantasy, camping, kayaking, cooking, gardening, and spending time with my Border Collie dog Lavender, my Tortoiseshell cat Clara, and my partner.
Career Services Coordinator: Maddie Houston
Email: madroman@umich.edu
Hello! My name is Maddie Houston and I’m a Career Services Coordinator for the Michigan Public Health Careers Team. I spend most of my time meeting with students 1:1 and facilitating and coordinating workshops. I also handle all external workshop requests, and oversee the student intern team and peer coaches.
My career has always centered on student empowerment. I served two years in AmeriCorps and hold a Master’s of Public Affairs from Indiana University with a focus in Nonprofit Management. I enjoy connecting with students to help them see what comes after graduation, being able to find tangible next steps for each student, and helping alleviate the stress around the opportunity search.
In my spare time, I enjoy rooting for the Lions and spending time with my young family.
Employer Engagement Coordinator: Neika White
Email: ncwhite@umich.edu
My name is Neika White (she/her) and I am the Employer Engagement Coordinator at Michigan Public Health Careers, which means I operate as a liaison between students, employers, and alumni. My role allows me to create informative spaces for students and employers to meet, whether it's through Career Fairs, Employer Presentations, or 1:1 Coffee Chats. I also provide 1:1 Career Coaching, facilitate workshops, and collaborate with our DEI Office and our Alumni Engagement Office to provide support for students here at Michigan Public Health.
I've over 16 years of working with students here at the University of Michigan, supporting students in different schools such as Michigan Medicine, College of Engineering, Student Life, and now here at the School of Public Health. I got into student support because I am a product of advisors and mentors who supported me during my collegiate years at Michigan. As a Black, Deaf Woman, I'm passionate about providing an inclusive space for all and work to create comfortable interactions among the students I coach/meet across campus. Sometimes, a student just needs someone to hear/see them to believe they can take one more step and I try to be that supporter through my meetings, facilitating, and coaching opportunities. I love working with the team here at Career Services because student support is the goal of the entire team. While we each specialize in various topics and methods of support, we all have the unified goal of giving students what they need during time here at Michigan Public Health.
Outside of work I like to dance! Salsa, Bachata, Argentine Tango, Kizomba, just to name a few. I teach a few classes here in Ann Arbor and am always encouraging folks to try dance as an outlet for mental wellness. I also enjoy spending time with my sisters, niece and nephew, escape rooms, trying new restaurants, and traveling.
Career Services Coordinator: Stefani Anderson
Email: stefa@umich.edu
Hello! My name is Stefani Anderson and I’m a Career Services Coordinator at Michigan Public Health Careers, which means I meet 1:1 with students on career exploration and preparation topics, I facilitate workshops, I support student staff, I oversee experiential learning, and I work with our office’s data and assessment, drawing insights from alumni and internship data.
I have 9 years of experience in student support services, including 6 in higher education, and am passionate about supporting students through equipping them with the tools and resources needed to advocate for themselves in their careers and beyond. I aim to foster a supportive and inclusive environment where students can learn about themselves, their options, and how to best showcase their story. I love partnering with students to brainstorm next steps to build fulfilling careers in public health. I enjoy working in Michigan Public Health Careers because I love hearing all of your stories!
Outside of work, I love to run, spend any time I can outside, shop at thrift stores, find new restaurants, cook, sew, watch TV (kdramas especially), and read!
Peer Coaches
Hongjian Wang
Hongjian is a 2nd-year master’s student in Biostatistics. She is passionate about mutual growth and is eager to help her fellow students navigate their career paths and make the most of available resources. As a career consultant, she is committed to supporting her peers in their professional journeys. In her free time, Hongjian enjoys traveling and dancing.
Kayla Johnson
Kayla is a junior in the School of Public Health with an interest in studying food sovereignty/insecurity with the intent of becoming a nutritionist. She is interested in community gardening, minority health, and increasing fresh food access for all. In her role as a Peer Coach, Kayla's goal is to ensure that students are provided with resources to increase both their network and personal net worth. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with family and participating in various community outreach programs.
Nidhi Remesh
Nidhi is a first-year MPH student in Global Health Epidemiology. Her professional research interests encompass the human microbiome and its association with health and diseases. As a Peer Coach, Nidhi aims to support and empower her peers by equipping them with the careers resources to achieve their goals. In her free time, she enjoys reading and being outdoors.
Data and Assessment Intern
Mehak Bhansali
Mehak is a 2nd year MPH student in Health Management and Policy. She is interested in analyzing and formulating policies aimed at reducing health inequities, particularly those that target women's health. As a Data Analyst in the Michigan Public Health Careers Office, Mehak is committed to further improving the services offered to students to better support them as they develop their careers. Outside of school, she enjoys spending quality time with friends and family and going for long walks.