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 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. 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!

Kim Ecenbarger joined the School of Public Health in 2015 after spending 14 years in community relations with the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation. Kim not only brings industry expertise to her Associate Director of Career Services position, but also 10 years of part-time career coaching at the Kelley School of Business. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Ball State University and a Master of Social Work  from Indiana University-Indianapolis, where her education has prepared her for meaningful interaction with students. As someone who has transitioned careers, Kim enjoys sharing the importance of self-awareness and knowing values, interests, personality, and skills to help navigate and design one’s career path. Kim provides career coaching to undergraduate, graduate, and alumni across disciplines and teaches 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, Kim enjoys outdoor recreation in many forms. She has a teardrop camper, called “Lil Bit” and often travels with her partner and little white dog. Together they 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

Sarah McClure spent her undergraduate years as an IU Hoosier studying English. During her time at IU, Sarah was an RA in McNutt Residence Center. After earning her M.A. at Bowling Green State University in College Student Personnel, Sarah went on to spend three years as a Hall Director at Virginia Commonwealth University. Sarah is very excited to return to her alma mater as the School of Public Health Living-Learning Center Program Manager to infuse wellness and career programming into the residence hall experience. Some of Sarah’s passions include leadership development, giving back to the community, hiking, and playing board games.

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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 of Science 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 third-year law students in the Community Legal Clinic, volunteering with the Protective Order Project, teaching online leadership skill development courses, and advising the Bloomington Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success since 2009. She served on the National Advisory Board for the National Society of Leadership and Success during the 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 academic years. Kris has been both a participant and a fundraising coach with the Leukemia Society’s Team in Training program in 1995 and 1997 respectively. She served as the Bloomington Township Assessor from 1991-1994. Kris is an accomplished knitter and can frequently be observed in the gym working on her knitting while riding a recumbent bicycle. She lives in the woods outside of Bloomington with her husband and their two cats, Stella and Sadie.

SENIOR
Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science
Major: Dietetics

Niki Bruno is an Indiana native, growing up in Floyds Knobs, Indiana. Her plans for the future include completing her undergraduate degree in the spring of 2017 and continuing on to graduate school to become a Physician Assistant. Niki is the Vice President of the Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at IU, as well as the Treasurer for the IU Running Club. She enjoys running, hiking, cooking, drawing, and spending time with family and friends. Niki has worked in the Office of Career Services for over a year now. 

Office hours: 
F, 9-11 am

SENIOR
Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science
Major: Dietetics

Michaela Stemle is a Hoosier native from Jasper, Indiana. Her future plans include graduating in May of 2017, completing a dietetic internship, and becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.  She aspires to work in clinical dietetics or corporate wellness and providing nutrition consulting. Michaela is the current President of the Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND-IU). She enjoys cooking, dogs, the outdoors, and watching HGTV.

Office hours: 
Tu, 11 am – 12 pm

Th, 11 am – 12 pm