Leslie Blakney (pronouns: she/her/herself) serves as the Director of the Career Development Office where she leads a team and vision to help students design their career in 3D — positioning students for career success by empowering them with the tools and resources to discover their strengths, develop their skills, and distinguish themselves.
Leslie is particularly passionate about coaching students to develop their career goals and identity, connecting employers and alumni with PSU talent and creating innovative, equitable and sustainable programming and experiences. She graduated with a B.S. in Finance from Plymouth State University in 2007 followed by an M.Ed in College Student Personnel from Ohio University in 2010. Leslie is entering her 14th year working in career education, previously working at Dartmouth College, Colby College and Ohio University.
As an advocate for wellness, belongingness and equity, Leslie serves on the leadership group of the Staff Learning Community and is teaching her first Tackling a Wicked Problem course. Outside of PSU, you can find Leslie creating fun memories with her family, including her almost 4-year-old vivacious daughter and vibrant one-year-old son. Leslie loves board and card games, audiobooks and podcasts, gastropubs and hiking.
Leslie is excited to expand her work with the CoLab to collaborate with faculty and staff on how to integrate career readiness into their curricular and co-curricular experiences and helping construct an enhanced narrative on the holistic experience of higher education in preparing students for the workforce.