Kerry Willard Bray
Director, Career Services
Office Life
Kerry joined UMass Lowell in 2013 as a professional co-op staff member and transitioned to Director of Career Services in 2017. She leads our career advising and student employment teams and establishes cross-campus partnerships to support students’ career development. Before UML, Kerry’s higher education experience included serving as a dean of students, director of residence life, and admissions recruiter. Outside of higher education, Kerry briefly worked in HR and training roles for the pharmaceutical industry. Kerry cherishes UMass Lowell’s tight-knit community and is thrilled with the possibility each new semester brings for the students here.
Leadership Focus
Career Advising
Student Employment
Out-of-Office Life
Kerry is an Irish dance mom to her daughters, while her husband tackles the title of ‘Ultimate Dog Dad’ to their high-energy Brittanys. Kerry is also a lifelong crafter and became a yoga teacher in 2023.
Education
Bowling Green State University, Ohio
M.A. in College Student Personnel
Moravian College (now Moravian University), Pennsylvania
B.A. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology with a minor in Management
Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
Afua Serwa Addae-Adoo
Associate Director, Career Advising & Staff Development
Office Life
Serwa joined the Career Services team in 2013 and oversees the center’s marketing and communications efforts while managing the Career Peer and RHSA Pathways to Career programs. Before coming to UMass Lowell, Serwa worked in career services at a private liberal arts college and the Health and STEM Pathways Center at Middlesex Community College.
Serwa provides our students with fine dining etiquette training and is a mediator for our campus community. Serwa was first drawn to helping students while working in admissions. She believes guiding students towards majors that align with their interests and academic strengths leads to pursuing fulfilling professional futures.
Out-of-Office Life
Serwa walks by faith and not by sight, and is actively committed to her parish community. She is a paper enthusiast and loves card-making for any occasion. Serwa enjoys cooking and is happiest spending time with her husband and kids hosting family and friends.
Education
The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
M.S. in Management of Training and Development
University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
B.S. in Agriculture Economics with a minor in Soil Science
Colleges
SciencesBeth Loell
Associate Director, Career Advising & Programming
Office Life
Since joining the UMass Lowell Career & Co-op Center in 2018, Beth has supported students and alumni in their career exploration and preparation. Previously, Beth worked in career development at Assumption College (now University) in Worcester, MA, and she has additional professional experience in high school guidance counseling and technical proposal writing.
Beth began developing many skills she needed in her career journey – such as customer service, communication, and teamwork – as an ice cream scooper in high school! Now, she enjoys helping students identify and communicate the transferable skills they’ve developed through jobs, projects, and extracurricular activities.
Out-of-Office Life
When she’s not at work or spending quality time with her family, Beth enjoys a variety of hobbies, including hiking, running, making music, and crocheting gifts for her loved ones.
Education
Assumption College, Worcester, MA
M.A. in School Counseling
Westfield State University, Westfield, MA
B.A. in English and Psychology
Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
Colleges
EducationEngineeringFine Arts, Humanities & Social SciencesCarla Merkosky
Career Advisor, Career Services
Office Life
Carla joined the team as a career advisor in 2021 after completing a graduate internship with the Career & Co-op Center. With two degrees from UMass Lowell, Carla is a double River Hawk who brings experience in student mental health support and advising to her role. While Carla’s degree is in Public Health, she found after being immersed in independent research as an undergraduate student that she would be more fulfilled in a collaborative career.
Today, Carla encourages students to focus on career exploration, not a pre-determined career path, and to be open to all learning experiences at UMass Lowell.
Out-of-Office Life
Carla is a people person who finds great joy in connecting with others at her local church and her community. You’ll often find her either seeking out new Lowell restaurants or watching the latest Marvel, Star Wars, or sci-fi movie or TV show.
Education
University of Massachusetts Lowell
M.Ed. Education Administration, Higher Education
B.S. in Public Health
Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
Colleges
EngineeringHealth SciencesJessy Abramson
Career Advisor, Career Services
Office Life
Jessy joined the Career Services team in 2022 and, since the beginning, has been steadfast in her commitment to supporting others’ career aspirations. Before coming to UMass Lowell, Jessy created and fostered career development initiatives at Lawrence High School and facilitated career-readiness programs to assist in overcoming employment barriers for diverse audiences at the Massachusetts One-Stop Career Center. Jessy’s previous experiences taught her the value of building community partnerships and informed career guidance which she now uses to positively impact our River Hawk’s professional journeys every day.
Out-of-Office Life
Jessy is a proud member of the Lowell community. When not at home with her family, you’ll find her enjoying the Lowell Summer Music Series, a new bubble tea place, or a morning walk with her dog around South Campus.
Education
Merrimack College, North Andover, MA
M.Ed. in Community Engagement
University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, PR
B.B.A. Human Resources and Operations Management,
Exchange Student, Business Administration, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA
Colleges
BusinessEducationFine Arts, Humanities & Social SciencesJulie Kimball
Career Advisor, Career Services
Office Life
Julie joined the Career Services team in 2022 to support students and alums as they pursue professional goals and explore different career paths. While Julie was formally trained as a teacher, she found her skills, knowledge, and interests better aligned outside the classroom. Today, Julie reinforces to students that your degree doesn’t dictate your career but can provide skills that support many future paths.
Julie is a passionate advocate for under-represented populations and has spent many years ensuring equal access to opportunities for first-generation students and students with disabilities pursuing higher education and meaningful employment. For Julie, the vibrant culture and social justice opportunities keep her returning to UMass Lowell year after year.
Out-of-Office Life
Julie enjoys gardening and gathering fruits from their family orchard with her husband and son. She enjoys spending time near any body of water and loves to swim, kayak, or SCUBA whenever she gets the chance.
Education
University of Bristol, Bristol, England, UK
M.Ed. in Education Management and Change
Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
B.S. in Middle School Education with Teaching Specializations in Mathematics and Science
Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
Colleges
EducationFine Arts, Humanities & Social SciencesSciencesDavid DupreWilson
Career Advisor
Office Life
David joined the Career Advising team in 2024, eager to support students in achieving their career goals. Before joining the Career Advising team, David had experience in corporate recruiting, talent development, property management, and university experience with residence life roles at several institutions in Massachusetts, including UMass Lowell. David uses his breadth of experiences to help students see different perspectives for their future and provide sound guidance.
Out-of-Office Life
David enjoys trying local restaurants, spending time outdoors, playing basketball, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and dog. He is an avid fan of the Boston Celtics and Connecticut Sun.
Education
Salem State University, Salem, MA
M.Ed. Higher Education & Students Affairs
Merrimack College, North Andover, MA
BA in History, Women’s & Gender Studies
Pronouns
He/Him/His
Colleges
Business | Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Colleges
BusinessEducationFine Arts, Humanities & Social SciencesMackenzie Bumpus
Career Advisor
Office Life
Mackenzie joined the Career Advising team at UMass Lowell in the Fall of 2024. Her previous experience in learning and development through the Student Support Initiative at Northeastern University has allowed her to connect with a student at various stages of their career journey. She looks forward to providing personalized guidance and resources tailored to each student’s aspirations.
Out-of-Office Life
When she is not at work, Mackenzie enjoys going to antique markets with her family to find vintage Disney items and loves to go on day trips with her fiancé.
Education
University of Maine, Orono, ME
M.Ed. in Student Development in Higher Education
University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA
B.S. in Organizational Leadership in Management
Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
Colleges
BusinessEngineeringJanet Lee Taylor
Career Advisor, Career Services
Office Life
Janet joined the Career Services team in 2023 to support students and alums as they pursue professional goals and explore different career paths. While Janet started in the business world in financial services and human resources, she found her skills, knowledge, and interests better aligned outside the corporate culture.
Before coming to UMass Lowell, Janet worked as a career coach at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. Today, Janet takes a collaborative approach to career development in which students’ identities, backgrounds, and experiences are valued, and celebrated.
Janet is passionate about helping students seeking assistance in finding a meaningful career path.
Out-of-Office Life
Janet loves visiting new cities and new restaurants with her husband. She enjoys spending time playing tennis, hiking, kayaking, and traveling to Coastal Maine with her husband, son, daughter, and dog.
Education
Simmons University, Boston, MA
M.Ed. in General Education
Providence College, Providence, RI
B.S. in Business Management
Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
Heer Luthra
Introduction & Role
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Name: Heer Luthra
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Year/Major/Area of Study: Junior in Biological Sciences
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Role as Career Peer: I support students by reviewing their resumes, cover letters and guiding them for job search helping them get one step towards their professional success.
Campus & Professional Involvement
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Campus involvement: I am a Student Alumni Ambassador and part of the Protohype Dance Club and biology research club.
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Recent internship, job, or project: I am a Peer Tutor and Learning Assistant. I am also a part of the Waghmare Research Lab in the Biology department.
Career Peer Expertise & Strengths
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I enjoy helping my peers with their resumes and overall career development journey.
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Special area of strength: Cover letter and resume guidance for undergraduate students.
Student Perspective
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Advice for other students about using Career Services: Feel free to stop by our office or visit our website anytime as we always have a solution for you.
Personal Touch
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Hobbies/interests outside academics: I really enjoy dancing, swimming, and fashion.
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Fun fact about me: I have been on the T.V. show India’s Got Talent.
Looking Ahead
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Career goals: Work in R&D industry as Researcher at a Biotech/ Pharmaceutical company.
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Being a Career Peer helps me develop my communication skills and other attributes that will help me become a better researcher.
Wendy Carvalho
Student Staff - Career Peer
Introduction & Role
- Name: Wendy Carvalho
- Year/Major/Area of Study: Senior, Computer Science
- Role as Career Peer: I support students by reviewing their resumes and cover letters, and giving advice for their job search in general.
Campus & Professional Involvement
- Campus involvement: I’ve been an ambassador for KCS, and I used to be Treasurer of the sorority Phi Sigma Rho.
- Recent internship, job, or project: Went to France in the summer for a research opportunity at the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
Career Peer Expertise & Strengths
- I enjoy helping students with: strengthening their resumes
- Special area of strength: strengthening resumes and cover letters, especially those in STEM
Student Perspective
- Advice for other students about using Career Services: it’s already a huge step in the right direction for your career path to seek career guidance—ask your Career Advisors or Career Peers different resources we can offer.
Personal Touch
- Hobbies/interests outside academics: Photography/filmography, music production, cooking
- Fun fact about me: I love to travel — I’ve been to 9 countries and I speak 3 languages.
Looking Ahead
- Career goals: computational biology or bioinformatics
- How being a Career Peer is helping me prepare: I get to network with different students and further develop my communication skills
Madison Rowley
Student Staff - Career Peer
Introduction & Role
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Name: Madison Rowley
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Year/Major/Area of Study: MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences (also have a B.A. in Psychology from UML)
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Role as Career Peer: I support students by editing resumes and cover letters, supporting with internship and job searching, and connecting students to the other resources that the Career Services Office provides.
Campus & Professional Involvement
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Campus involvement: I am currently a Research Project Assistant with the UML Public Health Department, helping with projects relating to behavioral health research
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Recent internship, job, or project: I spent last year working as an assistant in a school counseling office, before coming back to UML to start my master’s degree.
Career Peer Expertise & Strengths
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I enjoy helping students with: tailoring their resume to specific jobs or internships.
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Special area of strength: Attention to detail when formatting and editing resumes.
Student Perspective
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Advice for other students about using Career Services: Take advantage of multiple resources within Career Services – meet with Career Peers and Career Advisors, attend workshops, and network at career fairs.
Personal Touch
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Hobbies/interests outside academics: Reading, crocheting, traveling, and taking photos
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Fun fact about me: I also work as a figure skating coach! I have been skating for over 14 years now.
Looking Ahead
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Career goals: I am an aspiring researcher and educator, who is passionate about supporting efforts to improve the health and well-being of communities.
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How being a Career Peer is helping me prepare: Developing skills in communication, counseling, and collaboration.