Meet the Team

Zach is an experienced career development specialist and advisor with a demonstrated passion for supporting the academic, personal, and professional success of students. With a calm, welcoming presence and a gift for connecting with individuals from all walks of life, he thrives in roles that require collaboration across students, faculty, administrators, employers, and community partners.

Since joining the University of Kentucky in 2005, Zach has brought proven expertise in public speaking, recruitment, event planning, student affairs, and program development. He is known for creating inclusive, supportive environments and for bringing creative ideas and meaningful insights to every project or initiative.

Guided by his CliftonStrengths—Developer, Maximizer, Ideation, Adaptability, and Connectedness—Zach is deeply committed to helping individuals grow and thrive, both in their careers and in life.

Zach brings curiosity, flexibility, and a sense of humor to his work, and he proudly calls himself the CEO of the Career and Co-op Center—that’s Chief Encouragement Officer for those who haven’t yet met him. He makes a lasting impact wherever he goes, lifting others up and creating space for success to take root.

Betsy is a dynamic relationship builder and persuasive communicator with extensive experience in employer engagement, career advocacy, and strategic communication. Her career spans higher education, legal advocacy, fundraising, public outreach, and work in federal government arenas.

Before joining the University of Kentucky College of Engineering in 2014, Betsy served as an industry liaison where she collaborated with federal agencies, congressional leaders, nonprofits, and industry partners to advocate for legislative and policy changes. Her work involved crafting innovative solutions, navigating complex policy landscapes, and building coalitions to drive meaningful outcomes.

At UK, Betsy brings that same strategic mindset to her work in the Pigman College of Engineering. Whether she is guiding students through career exploration and teaching them how to evaluate full-time job offers, partnering with employers to expand opportunities, or leading large-scale events, her focus is always on building meaningful connections and empowering others to succeed.

She excels at synthesizing complex information, developing creative solutions, and advocating for positive outcomes in career development, education, and communication.

Thoughts From Betsy:
“I am service-oriented, and the rewards are plentiful because when I have a good day at work, a student is going to have a great day down the road.”

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EMPLOYERS: You should set up an Employer Engagement appointment with Betsy to learn about the best way to engage and recruit our students.

STUDENTS: You can request a student appointment on Handshake to meet with Betsy.

Thoughts On Co-ops:
“I think Co-ops are one of the only times in life where you get to explore different industries and companies in a hands-on, real-world setting. This gives you the rare ability to find a career that truly aligns with your passions and goals!”

Thoughts On Co-ops:
““Co-op experiences have been invaluable in helping me secure full-time job offers, build confidence in my abilities, and gain real-world skills that go beyond the classroom. They’ve also made me a more competitive candidate in the job market.“”

Thoughts On Co-ops:
“Doing a co-op helped me because I was having trouble getting aerospace-related summer internships. My co-op helped me to get my dream summer internship.”

Thoughts On Co-ops:
“Co-op experience is extremely valuable as it allows one to put into practice the skills they have developed in their engineering curriculum in a real-world setting. My co-ops have helped me to gain confidence in myself as an engineer, and build soft skills and technical skills that I will utilize in the remainder of my time in college and later in my career.”

Career Peer Tip:
“Keep a long-form resume with all of your experience on it! This document will make tailoring your resume to fit specific roles much easier.”

Thoughts On Co-ops:
“My co-op and internship experience has pushed me out of my comfort zone and into a place of growth and discovery. I have developed exponentially in both a professional and personal sense while getting to explore roles and industries that interest me.”

Career Peer Tip:
“It is never too early to start working on your professional development (resume, internship applications, conferences, etc.)! The sooner you get your foot in the door, the more room you have for growth before graduation.”

Thoughts On Co-ops:
“Co-ops immerse you in a company much deeper than the shorter period of summer internships allows. The experience I gained from my co-op helped me discover my professional interests and pursue these interests in future employment opportunities.”

Thoughts On Co-ops:
“My co-op experience helped me learn and apply knowledge in the field, as well as gain confidence in my own abilities and skills.”