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

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.

Amanda comes to Career Services from the Event Management and Hospitality industries. With more than 10 years of experience managing events in the medical device and beverage fields, she is excited to pivot to planning career fairs and employer events for the School of Public Health. By supervising interns in previous roles, she discovered a passion for mentoring students as they navigate and explore career paths. In her role as Associate Director of Employer relations, Amanda works to cultivate relationships with employers and connect them with students as they transition from the classroom into the workplace.

Amanda has her Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and Communication Studies from Ball State University and is originally from Wisconsin. In her free time she loves to travel with her husband, bake, watch sports and spend time with her dogs Gibbs and Charlie.