Meet the Team

I’m passionate about helping people realize their potential and building mutually beneficial relationships.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, I came to Columbus to attend The Ohio State University.  As a first-generation college student and graduate, I felt incredibly uncertain and confused about how to turn my major into a career after college (yet here I am as a Career Coach!).  I found my way into the central Ohio Non-profit sector due to my love of service and volunteerism.  The skills I gained while working for a variety of nonprofit organizations, including The Childhood League Center and The United Way of Central Ohio, led me to The Hill in 2016.

Empowering people to build confidence, skills, and the courage to design the lives they want to lead has been a core part of my life and career. As the Director of Career Communities and Coaching, I have the privilege of working with a team of really smart and talented people, developing innovative approaches to career exploration and preparation that meets the needs of today’s college student and the ever-changing landscape of today’s workforce.  While I’m a generalist, coaching students on all career-related topics,  I have a great interest in helping students discover and identify their strengths and build their career confidence.

When not at Denison, you can find me leading my daughter’s Girl Scout Troop, cheering on all Cleveland Teams and the Ohio State Buckeyes, doing anything and everything creative (I can do amazing things with a glue gun), reading mystery books, decorating cookies, and listening to 90’s grunge music.

Having studied Social Work at The Ohio State University, I have spent most of my career in the behavioral health and substance abuse field. My professional journey includes supporting C-Suite executives, which has honed my organizational, project management, and leadership skills. Additionally, I have a track record in fundraising and event planning, contributing to various successful initiatives.

Outside of work, I am involved in my daughters’ extracurricular pursuits, enthusiastically supporting them as they reach new milestones and achieve their goals. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and traveling, both of which allow me to continually broaden my horizons and deepen my understanding

I am a first-generation student and proud graduate of THE Ohio State University, where I received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. My career began in consumer product marketing before opening and operating my own business in the optical field. I stepped away from the workforce to spend time with my three children before transitioning to the nonprofit sector and, finally, higher education. As a career coach,  I focus on career exploration, helping students make sense of their experiences while thinking about the lives they want to lead after Denison. I love seeing students’ career plans evolve over their four years at Denison. Not sure where you want to land after Denison; I welcome those conversations!

I enjoy biking, hiking, kayaking, traveling, and reading in my free time.

Fun fact: You will NEVER hear me complain about summer heat.

I graduated in 2001 from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and concentration in Spanish. I obtained my master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Miami University in 2005 and began my career as an Academic Advisor at OSU. Much of my time advising was spent helping students explore majors and careers of interest and helping students gain internship experience to test out different career fields. This eventually led me to career development work, where I have spent the last 12 years of my career. I consider it a privilege to support students in their career journey. As a part-time Career Coach, I work primarily with students who are in the exploration phase of their career development; however, I’m happy to coach students on any career-related topic.

I reside in nearby Johnstown with my husband, three young daughters and our dog. I love coffee, plants, reading, traveling, running, baking and spending time outdoors.

As a graduate of a small liberal arts college, I remember so clearly feeling like I had a world of opportunity ahead of me, but feeling equally unsure of what I wanted to do or how to take advantage of those opportunities. In my role in the Knowlton Center, I get to support students and alumni in navigating their career choices during their time at Denison and beyond, and strive to be the guide and sounding board I wish I’d had when I was an undergraduate student. I love helping students work through decisions and execute a plan–even if that plan changes ten times over the course of their college career! As the Nonprofit, Education, & Government community lead, I am excited to use my previous experience as a K-12 educator and knowledge of the nonprofit space to help students explore and prepare for careers in these fields!

I live in Columbus, and love taking advantage of all the great things living there has to offer (I recommend you get off the hill and explore Columbus if you can!). When I’m not on campus helping students, you’ll find me gardening, reading sci-fi and fantasy novels, playing board games that nobody’s ever heard of, and talking to my cats like they’re real people.

Emily joined Denison University’s Knowlton Center in 2021 as the pre-law advisor after spending 15 years as a practicing attorney. She earned her BS in Psychology from Denison University and her JD, cum laude, from Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts. She is dual barred in Ohio and Massachusetts.

Prior to rejoining the Denison community, she worked as a criminal prosecutor at the County, State, and Federal levels. She conducted jury trials throughout Ohio and has had some of her trials featured in the media, including Dateline, American Justice, and various programs on the Oxygen network. She was a member of the Craigslist Serial Murder Investigation/Prosecution Team that received the Ohio Attorney General’s Distinguished Law Enforcement Group Achievement Award.

She was part of a multi-disciplinary team responsible for training law enforcement, prosecutors, nurses, and victim advocates on how to investigate sexual assault and child exploitation cases. She conducted classes at OPOTA (Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and Academy) on how to investigate infant and child homicides.

She sat as a member of the Ohio Child Fatality Review Board, the Ohio Human Trafficking Commission, was a co-chair of the Ohio Attorney General’s Criminal Justice and Mental Health Task Force (Juvenile Justice Committee & Pandemic Response Committee), a member of the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect, and various other professional memberships. In addition to her criminal law practice, she practiced administrative law and represented the Ohio Board of Nursing and the Ohio Medical Board, presenting evidence of licensee misconduct. She has served as a legal expert/commentator for local news media as well as various podcasts.

When not on campus, I spend time with my family. I have two daughters who are active in tennis and lacrosse. She enjoys running and has completed over 35 marathons (Emily lost count). She loves to travel and has a dream of one day moving to the Lake District in Cumbria, UK.

A native Ohioan, I earned my BA in psychology from Ashland University in 2009 and an MA in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University in 2011. Prior to joining the Knowlton Center team in 2022, I supported students through roles in chaplaincy at the College of Wooster and residential life at Kenyon College.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading, vegetarian cooking, and life in Granville with my son, Auden.

My career began in Human Resources supporting employees of large healthcare systems.  In my time in HR, I wore many hats in recruitment and compensation.  While I loved this work, in 2012, I was looking for a change in direction and thought that my recruiting experience would be a great fit for supporting college students starting their careers.  Thankfully, I was right!  Supporting college students as they navigate their future career paths and discover their potential is a true dream job.  I love helping students see what could be possible when thinking of post-college life. I value building connections with students and serving as a voice of support as they work toward achieving their goals. As a coach for the Financial Services, Consulting, and Business career community, I’m excited to make students aware of all the amazing opportunities available and encourage them to aim high!

My name is Blake Gooch, and I oversee the Technology, Data & Science Career Community. I was born and raised here in Columbus, and I’m proud to call Ohio my home!

I am a first-generation transfer student. I started at Columbus State Community College and earned my bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology from THE Ohio State University in 2014. After that, I earned my master’s degree in Higher Education from Wright State University in 2017. I joined Denison University and the Knowlton Center team in the summer of 2022. Before coming to Denison, I was a Student Success Coach at Indiana University East in Richmond, Indiana, for five years. This is where I learned various coaching techniques and skills to help students navigate college.

Outside work, I like playing video games, hiking, hanging out with friends, and cheering on the Buckeyes! I traveled internationally to Mexico, Italy, and Japan with my friends, and I hope to visit Australia and Greece one day! If you have any recommendations, I’ll be more than happy to take notes!

This was a little about me, and I cannot wait to connect with you in the future!

While not new to the Knowlton Center, I am new to the role of Associate Director – Marketing, Sales, & Communications Career Community, and I’m excited to serve the Denison community in a new capacity after spending the last three years on the Employer & Alumni Relations team. My background is in recruiting, coaching, and athletics communication. I look forward to utilizing the skillset I’ve developed from those experiences and helping students who want to enter into careers that prioritize relationship management, selling a product, telling a compelling story, or one of the many other transferrable skills developed at Denison. I earned my B.A. in Political Science & History from Muskingum University in 2011. When I’m not at work, you can usually find me on the golf course, in the gym, cheering on the Browns, or trying restaurants with my wife, Kayley.

Born in Canada, I grew up in Akron, Ohio, and attended the University of Dayton. I spent my twenty-somethings finding myself working as a high ropes instructor and middle school teacher in Connecticut, Colorado, and Australia. I returned to Ohio to earn my Master’s degree in Higher Education in 2009 and have been here at Denison ever since.  I spent my first decade at Denison working in the Academic Resource Center, helping students learn to balance their academics with their life outside the classroom.

In 2019, I transitioned to the Knowlton Center as a part-time Career Coach.  While I focus on students interested in the many pathways in healthcare, I remember my exploratory days so fondly (so many possibilities!) and also love to coach students still figuring it out.

I spend my time outside of Denison chasing after my kids, playing soccer, swimming, skiing, visiting my family’s cottage on Lake Huron, and volunteering for stillbirth prevention.

Josh is the Assistant Director for International Student Advising and Career Coaching. His position is split between the Knowlton Center for Career Exploration and the Center for Global Programs. His role’s focus is international student career development, and he provides coaching, support, and programming to international students on their career exploration, career development, and visa issues. Josh earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Japanese from the University of Mount Union and a Master’s in Counseling and Human Development with a concentration in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Walsh University.

When he is not at work, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, trying new recipes and modifying them, and walking his dog anywhere that will let him.

As a first gen student, I graduated summa cum laude from Franklin University in 2016 after spending 12 years in finance.  This journey revealed my love of learning and shaped my transition into higher ed.  I joined Denison University in 2015 as an Assistant to the Dean.  In my current role as Program Manager, I manage the Denison Internship Program, Career Communities, and provide program support for our coaches. Off campus you will find me outdoors exploring, relaxing on my porch, or playing in the dirt.

Growing up on a farm in Central Ohio instilled in me a deep appreciation for hard work and a passion for fostering growth, which I carry into my career every day. My journey in education began with a Bachelor of Agriculture from Ohio State University, followed by a Master’s in Higher Education from Ohio University. This foundation paved the way for my first professional role as a career coach, where I discovered my passion for guiding others toward their career goals. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to the career space, continually striving to help individuals realize their full potential.

In 2021, I joined Denison University in Employer + Alumni Relations, where I proudly serve as a professional hype woman. I thrive on delivering pep talks and empowering everyone I meet to maximize their unique strengths. The relationships I build with employers and Denison alumni are invaluable, and I am excited to connect students with their future opportunities.

Outside of work, I live in Granville and embrace my role as a mom to two young girls, navigating life in my prized new minivan. When I’m not in major mom-mode, I can be found watching old episodes of Gilmore Girls or attempting to survive crossfit workouts.

I joined Denison University’s Employer and Alumni Relations Team in 2022. I manage the logistics for a wide array of events and initiatives that connect students with industry professionals and alumni, providing transformative professional development opportunities. While balancing multiple priorities, I thrive in the details and in collaborative settings, and I’m beyond grateful for the relationships I have built across campus through this work. My experience in The Knowlton Center has deeply inspired and motivated me to become a first-generation college student pursuing my bachelor’s degree in English from Ohio State University.

Off-campus, I really enjoy throwing clay on my pottery wheel and antiquing! I live right here in the Village of Granville with my fiancé, McKinley, who also works on campus as the Assistant Horticulturist! Go Big Red!

When Elizabeth heard about Denison Edge, she knew it was the perfect place to apply her marketing skills with her passion for education and career development. Elizabeth comes to Denison Edge from the advertising space in NYC. She has worked in both small and large advertising and PR firms such as Ogilvy, MSL GROUP, and Piro. While in college, she developed an initiative that helped students and graduates bridge the gap between school, work and interests. She ran networking events, mentorship programs, and led speaking series. Her initiative garnered enough media attention to pursue a career in PR and advertising. Since then, she has worked with a variety of brands such as Tiffany & Co., P&G, Express Inc., Citizens Bank, E*TRADE, Ferrero Rocher, Butterfinger and more. In Elizabeth’s free time, you can catch her hiking, cooking, and exploring new towns and restaurants.

Belle’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with individuals and crafting meaningful, successful events and experiences is the cornerstone of her professional endeavors. Belle’s prior experience includes facility and event operations for Denison University’s Athletic Department, Georgia Southern University, and the Carolina Hurricanes. Belle has a passion for event planning and the details that go into each rental, whether that be planning for a wedding, corporate retreat, or university event. She received her Bachelor of Science from North Carolina State University in 2018, where she worked at the University Recreation Center, and her love of higher education and its programs began. She obtained her Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University in May 2020. She resides in the New Albany area with her husband, Mike, and their rescue dog, Bentley.

I joined the Knowlton Center at the end of 2023, where I help manage details of programming and events at the Denison Edge space in downtown Columbus.

I graduated from Miami University with a bachelor’s degree in Theater and American Studies and pursued a career as a union theatrical stage manager before becoming the Director of Museum Theater at Colonial Williamsburg. I’m proud of producing a wide range of programming during my time there that was recognized by The Washington Post as a “best of theater” experience, and of growing and supporting an incredible team. I love using my gifts of empathy, wonder, and editing to help others and create exciting work. As someone who has experienced some different kinds of job and career changes, I am also very interested in supporting others who are exploring, launching, or pivoting careers, and I’m happy to be part of this team at Denison!

Rick leads the Denison Consulting program as well as Red Frame’s entrepreneurship programs. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Ohio State University. Outside of academic environments, he advises business owners exclusively, helping them to be the leaders their company, team, and family deserve.

Rick spent a decade with two consulting firms, a three-year stint leading technology initiatives for a regional bank, 14 years in startups and investing, and has been working alongside business owner clients since 2016.

During his career, Rick advised entrepreneurs and helped them design business models, pitch their opportunities, connect with essential resources, and raise funds to fuel growth. He collaborated with regional and local economic development professionals on entrepreneurial initiatives. His work included attraction/retention incentives for startups. In addition, he contributed to the conception and development of several entrepreneurial centers in the central Ohio region. Rick also played a key role in the startup and growth of the Dublin Entrepreneurial Center, one of the most successful entrepreneurial centers in the United States, housing over 140 companies. There are 163 graduates with 142 still operating.

Rick is married to his college sweetheart, who is a Denison alumna and a materials physicist. Together, they have three adult kids: two impressive young men and one amazing daughter

I joined the Red Frame Lab team in October 2018.  I manage the details and operations of Red Frame events, and assist the team in marketing and raising the visibility of entrepreneurship, consulting, and design thinking on campus.

I graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Family Studies and began my professional career in retail management, followed by recruiting and Human Resources at Fifth Third Bank’s Corporate headquarters in Cincinnati in the Commercial Banking Division. As my job titles, responsibilities, and companies changed over my professional years, my passion for people, relationship building, hard work, and determination remained throughout.

It is an incredible honor to work with the amazing members of the staff and students of the Knowlton & Red Frame team. I always look forward to bringing energy, positivity, thoughtfulness, heart, passion, organization, commitment, humor, and real-world everyday life experiences to my adventures at Denison University.

When I am not on campus, you can usually see me driving one, some, or all 3 of my daughters around Granville to various sports and extracurriculars, usually with my 2 dogs in tow.