Three Ways Successful Career Departments Drive Student Outcomes

Join us for a tactical, 30-minute webinar featuring Christian Garcia, the Associate Dean and Executive Director of the Patricia and Harold Toppel Career Center at the University of Miami. Discover how the university’s career center is an essential contributor to improving student success outcomes, and how they’re using social capital networks through PeopleGrove to empower students throughout their academic journey. Learn firsthand how their strategic approach enhances student success and career readiness.

Key Takeaways:

1. Strategic Network Building: Understand how the University of Miami leverages PeopleGrove to create and nurture social capital networks that provide students with valuable mentorship and guidance.
2. Impact on Student Outcomes: Gain insights into how these networks positively influence students’ academic and career paths, leading to improvements in career readiness and first destination rates.
3. Guidance for Supporting Underserved Students: Hear how PeopleGrove helps the career center identify students who may need additional help and scale their support.

Speakers: 

• Christian Garcia, Associate Dean and Executive Director of the Patricia and Harold Toppel Career Center at the University of Miami
• Nicole Stewart, Senior Vice President of Campus Partnerships

More on Webinar Speaker Christian Garcia

Christian Garcia is a higher education professional with over 25 years of experience in a variety of areas within student and academic affairs. He currently serves as the Associate Dean and Executive Director of the Patricia and Harold Toppel Career Center at the University of Miami, where he is responsible for the management and strategic direction of
one of the country’s most innovative and dynamic career centers. Through Christian’s leadership and fundraising efforts, the Center opened the doors to its brand new, state-of- the-art facility in 2015, which continues to serve as a model, here and abroad.

Upon assuming leadership of the Center in 2009, Christian embarked on its first-ever strategic plan: Innovate, Connect, Impact. The ambitious plan was widely supported by the University and 98% of its goals and objectives were completed in just over four years. Christian and his team are presently in the second phase of their current strategic plan, Toppel 2025: Career Services is Everybody’s Business, which has led to fostering a strong “culture of career” through numerous campus-wide initiatives.

Christian was once awarded a Fulbright grant to spend two weeks in Germany to gain in- depth knowledge and understanding of the German higher education system and student employability. He has been an active member and leader in his professional association, the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE), including serving on its Board of Directors for two years.

Born and raised in Miami, Christian earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida International University. His master’s degree in higher education administration is from Florida State University. Born to Costa Rican parents, Christian is the first in his family to go to college.