Dominique Fernandez
Assistant Director, Employer Engagement
Dominique joined the Employer Engagement Team at the Toppel Career Center during the Spring of 2026 looking to assist in connecting top employers with students eager to add new career experiences to their resume. As the Assistant Director of Employer Strategy, Dominique is part of several committees across both the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining the University of Miami and Toppel Career Center, Dominique worked as a coordinator in non-profit organizations across Miami-Dade.
As a recent MBA Graduate, Dominique is using her degree to help service Business students from the Herbert School of Business.
Outside of work, Dominique spends most of her time with her family and her flock of birds: many pigeons, a cockatiel, and a duck.
Specialties and Interests
BusinessJoanna Hsu Chen
Assistant Director, Career Engagement
Joanna joined Toppel Career Center in 2025 as the Assistant Director of Career Engagement. Before joining Toppel, she spent about a decade in preschool education and leadership, where she developed a passion for mentoring, building relationships, and helping individuals reach their full potential. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication arts and supports students in the Communication, Arts & Humanities career circles.
Originally from South America with Taiwanese roots, Joanna brings a multilingual and multicultural perspective to her work. She enjoys connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and creating welcoming spaces where every student feels supported as they explore career opportunities and prepare for life after graduation.
When she’s not helping students build their future, she’s usually building a Lego set, getting lost in a good book, binge-watching a movie or TV series, or spending time with family and friends.
Specialties and Interests
Arts & HumanitiesCommunicationDouglas Neese
Director, Employer Engagement
Douglas serves as the Director of Employer Engagement at the University of Miami’s Toppel Career Center, where he leads initiatives to build strategic partnerships between employers and the university while creating meaningful career opportunities for students. He earned a BA in International Relations from Florida International University, followed by a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Miami. Prior to joining higher education, Douglas served with City Year before spending 2 years as an English Teacher and Teacher Trainer with the Peace Corps in Cambodia. He joined the Toppel Career Center in 2017 as the University of Miami’s Peace Corps Recruiter as has held many roles at Toppel in his time here.
Douglas is an active member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). His favorite part of the job is helping students connect with employers and seeing those relationships lead to internships and full-time careers. Nothing is more rewarding to him than hearing that an employer has hired a University of Miami student.
Outside of work, Douglas enjoys spending time on the water and takes advantage of South Florida’s outdoor lifestyle whenever possible. Whether boating, fishing, or kayaking, he enjoys exploring the waterways and making the most of his weekends.
Specialties and Interests
BusinessMarissa Ocasio
Associate Director, Events
Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Marissa brings a fusion of Filipino and southern hospitality to every occasion. Marissa currently serves as the Associate Director of Events at the University of Miami’s Toppel Career Center, where she builds partnerships with employers and leads the planning and execution of career fairs, networking events, and recruitment initiatives that connect students with meaningful career opportunities.
With a background spanning higher ed, K–12 public music education, and large-scale event management, she brings a people-centered approach to fostering connections and creating engaging and elevated experiences for all. Marissa is a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the southern chapter, SoACE. Marissa’s favorite part of her role is the day-of events, seeing the plan breathe life, and having the opportunity to create lasting memories with colleagues, students, employers, and all event attendees and staff.
Outside of work, Marissa is a musician and avid gamer, enjoying her time with her husband and two miniature dachshunds.
Specialties and Interests
Music & EntertainmentJoba Odediran
Associate Director, Career Readiness
Oluwajoba (Joba) Odediran serves as the Associate Director of Career Readiness at the Toppel Career Center. She joined Toppel in 2022 as the Assistant Director of Coaching & Outreach. In her position, she oversees key career technology and mentoring platforms, including Cane2Cane, uConnect, and evaluation tools on Suitable. She actively serves on committees for both NACE and the Southern Association of Colleges & Employers (SoACE), and last year she was honored with the SoACE New Professional Award.
Joba holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science from Montclair State University, as well as a Master of Public Health and a Master of Arts in International Administration from the University of Miami.
Fun fact, Joba is a former collegiate track and field athlete and now she is currently training for her third half marathon. If you see her running around campus after work, don’t hesitate to say hello! She is originally from New Jersey and loves traveling, reality tv, and cooking.
Specialties and Interests
Healthcare & Life SciencesTomas Perez Alvarez
Assistant Director, Employer Relations
Tomas Alvarez Perez is the Assistant Director of Employer Relations at Toppel Career Center with the University of Miami. Tomas has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Hispanic Studies from Hamilton College, and a Master of Arts in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from Florida International University. Throughout his educational career Tomas has studied abroad in Spain and Argentina.
His passion for education stems from his drive to empower others with diverse skills and perspectives. Previously he has been a Teaching Assistant for Hispanic Studies, Philosophy, and has worked with three federal government agencies, which include the Library of Congress and U.S. Agency for International Development. Tomas’ favorite part about his job is connecting students to employer partners and seeing the impact that can have in a student’s perspective for what is possible.
In his free time, Tomas enjoys reading and writing poetry, participating in poetry workshops, watching movies, and going for bike rides.
Specialties and Interests
Environment, Marine, & Atmospheric SciencesMaria Robertson
Assistant Director, Internships
Maria Robertson has been a proud member of the University of Miami community for more than 25 years, serving in a variety of roles across academic and administrative units. As part of the Toppel Career Center’s Career Education team, she coaches students on career development, oversees the Toppel Internship Program, and manages internship funding initiatives. Throughout her career, Maria has been passionate about helping students gain meaningful experiential learning opportunities, whether through internships, research, or career exploration. She especially enjoys helping students connect their interests and experiences to future career goals.
A two-time University of Miami graduate with both a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Liberal Studies, Maria brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the student experience. Known for her warm, supportive approach, she loves working one-on-one with students and celebrating their accomplishments. Outside of work, Maria enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, trying new restaurants, and taking walks with her golden retriever.
Specialties and Interests
Education & SportsCarly Smith
Director, Career Education
Carly oversees the Career Education team at the Toppel Career Center and focuses on the overall education strategy for how we prepare University of Miami students to be successful in launching and navigating their careers. She started at the Toppel Career Center in 2011 and has had multiple roles within the office.
Carly’s educational background includes a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Miami and Bachelor’s degree in Human and Organizational Development with a concentration in Leadership from Vanderbilt University. In her role, Carly supports our faculty and staff partners within the schools and colleges to integrate career readiness into their work with students. She also enjoys supporting students 1:1 for career coaching.
She is a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and this year was honored with the Mentor of the Year Award. In her free time, Carly loves fitness, trying new restaurants, jigsaw puzzles, and listening to her favorite music.
