COFA Career Services Staff We are so excited to help shape your career journey in the arts! SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH US Note: The link above will take you to your 12twenty@Texas account. Click on “Appointments” in the left-hand menu – from there, you will see a list of all available appointment timeslots with our coaches. Avianne Ernest Director avianne.ernest@austin.utexas.edu Avianne Ernest is a champion of career exposure, development and actualization for visual, performing and technical arts students at The College of Fine Arts. She is a Board Certified Career coach, Gallup certified Strengths coach, and graduate of The University of Texas, Austin (M.Ed., Educational Psychology). Avianne leads from the nexus of arts, exploration, and industry, advocating for creative success both on-campus and beyond. Jamil Hooper Associate Director jamil.hooper@austin.utexas.edu Jamil Hooper serves as an Associate Director of Career Services and has dedicated 15 years of his career to empowering young professionals through 1×1 coaching, providing professional development training, and facilitating career exploration programming. Maria Meinert Life Design Coordinator maria.meinert@austin.utexas.edu Maria Meinert empowers students to use design‑thinking mindsets to clarify their values, navigate uncertainty, and explore their possibilities. She is a multidisciplinary designer and holds an MA in Teaching (Rhode Island School of Design) and an MFA in Design (The University of Texas, Austin). Ting-Ting Chen Senior Program Coordinator tingting.chen@austin.utexas.edu Ting-Ting Chen has over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, with a focus on student programs and outreach at museums and cultural institutions in both Houston and the San Francisco Bay Area. Sydney Westin Senior Career Services Coordinator sydney.westin@austin.utexas.edu Sydney Westin (she/her/hers) is an artist, educator, and graduate of University College London, where she received her MA – Art & Design in Education. Dana Phillips Employer and Alumni Engagement Coordinator dana.phillips@austin.utexas.edu Dana Phillips (she/her) is a musician and writer with a passion for building relationships. She works to create connections with employers, keep alumni engaged with the college, and expand professional opportunities for students. Maya Halabi Career Services Coordinator maya.halabi@austin.utexas.edu Maya Halabi (they/she) is a multi-hyphenated creative, events producer, and career coach with experience in higher ed, nonprofit production, public relations, and strategy. Morgan Laner Student Career Success Coordinator morgan.laner@austin.utexas.edu Morgan Laner (she/her) is passionate about student development and creativity. A Texas native, Morgan especially loves working with students interested in career exploration through a design-thinking lens!
