Career Coaches

As the Assistant Dean for Career Development and Alumni Relations for the IU School of Public Health, Dr. Simmons leads efforts to foster student and alumni success across five departments. She is originally from Michigan but has called Bloomington home for over 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. 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

As a career services professional in the School of Public Health, I provide career coaching and support to undergraduate and graduate students and alumni.  Prior to joining the School of Public Health, I consulted directly with graduate and professional students in the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Throughout my career, I have served in a variety of student service leadership roles including student recruitment, engagement, experiential learning and career services.

Holding degrees in Music Education and Higher Education Administration from the University of Nebraska and the University of Wisconsin, I began my career working with talented high school musicians in a nonprofit arts organization, then found my passion guiding college students in career exploration and development, student leadership, and professionalism.  I have worked and taught in career services and student affairs from small, private liberal arts settings to large public institutions. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is partnering with students as they discern their values and interests and find meaningful experiences and careers to match.  Truly rewarding!

For fun, I love hanging with my spouse and four kids, hiking and road tripping to new places, and watching IU women’s basketball.

Kris received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the Kelley School of Business in 2005. She has over 25 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 cat, Sadie.

I come to the School of Public Health from a background of nonprofit and higher education work. My experiences include: working with survivors of domestic abuse at Middle Way House, co-coordinating the Business Economics and Public Policy student club, volunteering at Tandem Community Birth Center, and acting as a host family for international students attending Indiana University-Bloomington. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and is working to complete her full licensure to be a mental health therapist. My focus is on instilling hope and creating opportunities for growth to students and alumni across all disciplines.

I love nothing more than to bake, travel, and travelling to be inspired for future bakes. You may see me outside on a run if the weather is nice.

Emily enthusiastically offers career coaching services to undergraduate, graduate and alumni Hoosiers as they pursue their professional and educational aspirations. She is well known for her thoughtful and encouraging interactions.  

Joining Indiana University, Emily thrived in a dynamic career journey as a Department of Defense Civilian employee serving the U.S. Navy as a Morale, Welfare & Recreation professional. She had the privilege to be selected for professional opportunities working remote international and domestic locations of British Indian Ocean Territory of Diego Garcia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in the majestic Pacific Northwest. She is humbled to be so fortunate to work with incredible people creating and promoting opportunities of personal wellness, organizational optimization and quality of life for our Service members.  

Emily graduated from the University of Minnesota with an undergraduate degree in Recreation, Park & Leisure Studies.  

Outside of the office you will find Emily enthusiastically supporting youth in the local community with her talents, time, and treasure. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and has enjoyed learning to scuba dive at Indiana University. 

 Clifton Strengths:  

1. Strategic 2. Adaptability 3. Woo 4. Positivity 5. Individuation 6. Ideation 7. Relator 8. Includer 9. Activator 10. Arranger

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 industry, she is excited to pivot to working with SPH students and employers. In her role as Assistant Director of Employer Relations, Amanda works to cultivate relationships with employers and connect them with students as they transition from the classroom to 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 bake, watch sports and spend time with her family and dog Charlie.

Wrenn Milbourn joined the School of Public Health – Bloomington in September 2024. She began her career in higher education in 2016 working for the College Internship Program, a comprehensive living-learning program for young adults with autism and learning differences. There she fulfilled a range of roles and duties, including direct support to clients, office and administrative management, and team leadership. As part of the Employer Relations team at SPH, Wrenn is excited to make a positive impact on student success by expanding and strengthening the network of quality employers who will be recruiting students pre- and post-graduation. Wrenn has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Indiana University. Outside of work, she enjoys creative outlets like baking and crafting. She loves playing games with her family, such as Star Wars Battlefront, Sequence, Dominion, and Uno.