Career Coaches

As the Director of Career Services for the IU School of Public Health, Dr. Simmons oversees all aspects of career services across five departments. She is originally from Michigan but has called Bloomington home for most of the last twenty-five years. After completing her doctoral degree in Exercise Physiology and teaching in faculty positions, Susan transitioned to Career Services where she loves working with students to refine their career plans. She enjoys assisting graduate students and undergraduates alike through career coaching and program administration. She also teaches career development courses. Other professional specialties include data analysis, team management, and strategic planning. As Director of Career Services, Dr. Simmons creates programs, tracks outcomes, and builds relationships to facilitate student success. Outside of work, Susan loves gardening and travel!

I  joined the School of Public Health after spending 15 years in the public sector and 5 years in the nonprofit sector. In addition to industry expertise, I also have 10 years of part-time career coaching experience. I earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Ball State University and a Master of Social Work  from Indiana University-Indianapolis, where my education has prepared me for meaningful interaction with students. As someone who has transitioned careers, I enjoy sharing the importance of self-awareness and knowing values, interests, personality, and skills to help navigate and design one’s career path.

I offer career coaching to undergraduate, graduate, and alumni across disciplines and teach professional development courses in the School of Public Health and School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Work-life balance and overall wellness are priorities. To recharge, I enjoy outdoor recreation in many forms. I have a teardrop camper, called “Lil Bit” and often travel with my partner and little white dog, Muffin. Together we enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, visiting farmers’ markets, and taking in the local scene.

Values = Kindness, Community, Social Responsibility, Knowledge, and Integrity
Interests = Helping others, Learning new things, Sustainability, Wellness
Personality = Outgoing, Curious, Social, Planner, Initiator
Skills = Creative, Organized, Interpersonal Skills, Collaborative

CliftonStrengths Five Signature Themes
1. Positivity
2. Harmony
3. Arranger
4. Individualization
5. Maximizer

Trudy McConnell grew up on a farm in the flatlands of northern Indiana. After two years at Purdue University, Trudy moved to her husband’s not-so-flat family farm in Bloomington where she completed her BS in Business. She enjoys working with students and in 2016 joined the SPH Career Services team that provides her the opportunity help connect students with employers. Appreciating the logistical side of things, she is fascinated with the planning and implementation of the career fairs. In her personal time, Trudy loves hanging out with her family-especially her three grandchildren, being involved with her church, and spending time outside enjoying nature in beautiful southern Indiana and around the country.

Kris received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the Kelley School of Business in 2005. She has over 20 years of experience at IU working with students in a variety of settings. Her experience includes: working with law students in the Community Legal Clinic, volunteering with the Protective Order Project, teaching online leadership skill development courses, advising student organizations, and overseeing the School of Public Health Student Ambassador Program. Kris is an accomplished knitter who enjoys exploring a wide range of techniques from lace to Fair Isle stranded knitting. She lives in the woods outside of Bloomington with her husband and their two cats, Stella and Sadie.