The new director of career services at EKU is a familiar face to the campus and business community.

Laura Melius, who joined the office as an administrative assistant in 1979 and served the past 16 years as assistant director and associate director, succeeds Art Harvey, who retired this summer.

"I'm passionate about this profession and about the impact we have on the lives of our students," Melius said. "I am just as passionate about Eastern (from which Melius earned a bachelor's degree in business education and a master's in business administration), its mission and the region we serve. The rewards in helping our students develop both personally and professionally are limitless.

"I have had the privilege of working as part of a team that has built a Career Services office that does an outstanding job of meeting the needs of our many users," Melius added. "We have a reputation among our colleagues for innovation and among our users for exceptional customer service. While continuing those traditions, we need to continually adapt and grow our services to meet the changing needs of our audiences."

Melius said she wants EKU Career Services to be an integral part of a seamless transition for students in their career exploration and development, collaborate with other campus offices and departments to provide resources for students to capitalize on all aspects of experiential education, play a key role in the University's ongoing assessment process and further develop a web site that is the "resource of choice" for students in their job search.

While at EKU, Melius has held a variety of offices in local, state and regional associations. She has served as 2000-01 president of the Southeastern Association of Colleges and Employers (SACE), a 10-state association composed of career services and professionals who recruit in the region. Melius also is a past president of the Kentucky College Placement Association and was named an Outstanding Member by the state group.

She has been equally active in the community, serving as a director for Pattie A. Clay Medical Center, founding board member and treasurer for Citizens for A Better Madison County, and as a member of the Madison County 4-H Council, Leadership Madison County and Madison County Vision 2000 Council, among other responsibilities.

EKU's Division of Career Services offers a variety of services to students, alumni and employers. For more information, call 859-622-1568 or visit www.career.eku.edu.