Career Development Team

As the career consultant for the College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP) and the College of Engineering and Integrated Design (CEID) with a focus on Architecture, Construction Science, Interior Design and Urban Planning students, Dionne Davila serves students and alumni by helping them with various levels of career exploration to development needs to include such services as: career assessments, job search help, resume assistance, internship search, mock interview help, and special topic workshops (i.e. What Can I Do With My Major; Job Search, Interview Prep, Selecting a Major). Dionne is a two time graduate from UTSA where she earned both her B.A. in Psychology and her M.A in Counseling. She has over 20 years of experience in the Counseling/Social Service field, of which, 16 years has been with UTSA and has over 8 years of experience teaching at the university.  She has taught the Personal Career Planning course (UCS 2033) to undergraduate students. Her professional interest areas include Career Development for first-generation, transfer, non-traditional students, and those who have criminal background issues. In addition, she frequently facilitates and presents on StrengthsFinder and the theories/principles proposed by strengths psychology and how others can apply those principles to their career, academics, and personal life.

Sara Goede is an Assistant Director of Career Development and liaisons with the College of Liberal & Fine Arts. She has 10 years of experience providing career counseling in individual and group settings on college campuses ranging from 12,000-32,000+ student enrollment. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master’s Degree in Counseling, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Sara is passionate about working with students and alumni at all stages of their career development as well as collaborating with College Success Centers, faculty, staff, and student groups on innovative ways to help students and alumni succeed and reach their career goals. Facilitating an environment of career confidence, insight, encouragement, and inspiration is her ultimate goal in helping students and alumni reach their fullest potential.

Brittany Salinas is the Senior Career Consultant for the College of Education and Human Development. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Health Science and Master’s in Public Administration from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She comes with over 8 years’ experience working in higher education in either an Academic Advising or Career Advising capacity helping students to discover, pursue, and achieve their unique career and academic goals.

As a first-generation student, she has gained invaluable experience working with undergraduate and graduate students within diverse populations. Brittany has a commitment to public service that fuels her purpose in developing students through transformational experiences. She intends on maintaining collaborative partnerships with faculty and staff to foster the continued achievement of our Roadrunner students and alumni.

Bryana Ortiz is a Senior Career Consultant who liaisons to the Alvarez College of Business and the international student population. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counselor Education – Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Texas Tech University. She has been in the career counseling field since 2018 and continues to educate herself to provide the best support possible to students and alumni in their career development. Bryana also loves collaborating with colleagues, faculty, staff, and student organizations to find fun and interesting ways to help students succeed in their career endeavors.

In addition to career counseling, Bryana is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC Associate) working on her hours to obtain full licensure. She believes mental health exists in every aspect of life, and career counseling is no different. She thrives off helping students and alumni see their potential, utilize it to move forward, and believe in themselves in ways they never have before. She does this by creating a welcoming, encouraging environment that fosters hope and confidence.

Overall, Bryana wants students to know that they are not alone in navigating possible careers and welcomes any and all questions regarding successes and challenges their career development journey may bring.

Jeff Patten is the Career Counselor for the College of Engineering. He spent ten years as a Career Counselor at the University of Arizona, in Tucson, AZ. In his role there, he served as a liaison to the College of Agriculture & Life Science, the Graduate College and the Honors College. During his tenure, he developed tailored content for these colleges, as well as tailored content for the College of Engineering, the Eller College of Management, the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts and the Film & Television Studies program.

Prior to his work at UA, Jeff was the Director of Counseling & International Students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Prescott, AZ, where he also served as an academic advisor for Aeronautical Science students. Jeff has a Masters’ in Counseling from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and is ABD in a Ph.D. program in the Organization and Administration of Higher Education from the University of Arizona.

Lisa Vázquez Vigil is a San Antonio native, after working many years within the Colorado State University system. An alum of CSU-Pueblo, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from CSU-Global. Since 2011, Lisa has gained experience in higher education, working in Admissions, Financial Aid, First Year Advising, Concurrent Enrollment, and Career Development.

Currently, Lisa sees students within the College of Sciences. She welcomes questions regarding career assessments, job & internship search strategies, résumé assistance, mock interviews, or other related career engagement areas. Lisa also serves as a liaison for specialized career development programming for her affinity groups including Latinx and DACA/Dreamer students, as a liaison for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), and as a supervisor for several UCC student employees. In Summer of 2021, she began the rollout of the new ‘Runner Career Launch program to assist on-campus supervisors with resources to provide to their students for professional development. In Fall of 2021, Lisa trained as a CliftonStrengths Champion for Students, and is piloting a program to offer the Top 5 workshops to students across UTSA.

Her passion for fitness and health also leads her to be a Rowdy New U Wellness Champion and hopes everyone finds a way to take care of themselves emotionally, physically, and mentally.

Courtney Pletcher is the Career Consultant for the University College, liaison for the Center for Military-Affiliated Students (CMAS), and supports the College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP). She is a U.S. Navy Veteran who served primarily at Ft. Meade, MD as a Cryptologic Technician and earned her Information Dominance Warfare pin designation. Her prior service and understanding of military culture allow her to connect with and better serve UTSA’s military-affiliated Students and Alumni.

Having received both her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from UTSA, Courtney is a proud double UTSA Alumnus. Her professional interests include Career Development Theory, Motivational Theories, Solution-Focused and Strengths-Based counseling approaches, SMART Goals, Enneagram Personality Typology, and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). For self-care, Courtney enjoys playing Chess, walking her dog “Merlin,” and reading novels.

Dedicated to the well-being and success of UTSA’s diverse community, Courtney elevates awareness of mental health in career counseling and validates each student’s unique journey in their career development process. She is committed to providing quality assistance to colleagues, faculty, and staff members while empowering students and Alumni to pursue and achieve BOLD futures.