Career Development Team

As an Assistant Director of Career Development for the Career Center, 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 in the University Career Center. She has 10 years of experience providing career consulting in individual and group settings on college campuses ranging from 12,000-34,000+ 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 organizations 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.

Bryana Ortiz is a Senior Career Consultant at the University Career Center. 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 (LPC) and 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.

Courtney Pletcher is a Senior Career Consultant at the University Career Center. She is a U.S. Navy Veteran who served primarily at Ft. Meade, MD as a Cryptologic Technician (CTR) 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 Alumna. Her professional interests include Design Thinking, Career Development, Motivational Theories, Solution-Focused and Strengths-Based approaches, SMART Goals, and CliftonStrengths.

Dedicated to the professional development and success of UTSA’s diverse community, Courtney is committed to providing quality assistance to colleagues, faculty, and staff members while empowering students and Alumni to pursue and achieve BOLD futures.

James Ritchie is a Senior Career Consultant at the University Career Center. James has over 5 years of experience working in higher education providing career consulting to all classifications of students from every major including an internship with the University Career Center in his graduate studies. James has worked on college campuses ranging from 2,000 – 37,000+ students providing services such as resume/cv/cover letter assistance, career assessments, job & internship search assistance, and mock interview assistance among various others. James has a wide array of experiences presenting to classes, student organizations, and industry professionals on a wide array of professional topics.

James earned his Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology minoring in HDFS from Texas Tech University (Wreck ‘Em Forever) and his Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from right here at UTSA. James is a Licensed Professional Counseling Associate (LPC-A) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) in the state of Texas as well. James uses a brief solution-focused & student-centered approach to ensure students can get something out of their very first appointment! James feels that goal setting is essential to your success and this does come in the form of homework, but I promise it is not graded and comes with guidance and a smile!

Josue is a Career Consultant for the University Career Center. He has 4 years of experience helping college students navigate their academic, personal, professional, and career journeys. He has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies. He is also pursuing a Master of Divinity. Josue’s goal is to make sure every student he encounters feels confident and prepared for their career journey. His ultimate desire is to equip students with the right knowledge and tools that will make them excited to tackle any challenge that may come with career development.

Josue is also passionate about using strategic collaborations with university partners to effectively serve students. He has 3 years of experience at the university level developing programs and events that increase student engagement. In his previous role in higher education, he planned and executed over 20 university events, 5 of which brought in more than 2,000 students. Josue hopes to use this experience to help provide a holistic approach to meeting student needs, which includes strategic programming and events, and excellent one-on-one consultations.

Jeff Patten is a Senior Career Consultant at the University Career Center. 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.

Eva Fernandez is a Senior Career Consultant at the University Career Center. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UTSA and a Master of Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University. With over two decades of experience in the nonprofit and higher education sectors, coupled with seven years in the business sector, Eva possesses a diverse and well-rounded professional background.

As a Licensed Master Social Worker, Eva is deeply committed to advocating for others. Collaborating actively with various departments, including the College of Education and Human Development (COHED), Fostering Futures, Dreamers, and the Student Disability Center, she has become a key figure in empowering students from all walks of life. Throughout her career, Eva has worked closely with diverse student groups, such as First Gen students, individuals facing mental or physical challenges, first-time college attendees, non-traditional students, LGBTQ individuals, and military students. By employing the strengths perspective from her social work background, Eva consistently helps her students realize their higher educational and career aspirations.

Beyond her work at the University Career Center, Eva’s dedication extends to community service. She is the founder of her own Latina consulting company, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit. Moreover, Eva has actively contributed to the Inspiration Center in the past by serving on its Board of Directors, and she continues to volunteer with reputable organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas, Dress for Success, Habitat for Humanity, Hispanic Women’s Network, and The Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas.

Eva’s passion for advocacy is not limited to her professional life; it also shines through in her personal endeavors as a proud parent of two teenagers who actively participate in the Inspiration Center’s Dollars for Scholars program. Through their efforts, they set an inspiring example for others in advocating for worthy causes.