Career Planning and Development

Meet Our Staff

Melissa Medlin, Director
mtmedlin@una.edu

Melissa Tucker Medlin joined UNA in July 2008, after spending nearly 18 years as a student (MA, 1996 and BA, 1994) and student affairs professional at The University of Alabama. Melissa says being the Director of Career Planning and Development is her dream job—she loves being at UNA, working with the students and faculty and having the opportunity to develop a very important resource area for students. “I am excited to have the opportunity to work directly with students as they make their choices about careers and work while also developing my own skills as a Student Affairs Administrator. I consider it an honor to assist students in recognizing their true potential and the many skills which they possess that will contribute to them being successful," says Medlin.
She and her husband, James Medlin, have two children, Tucker and Heather and all are excited to now be a part of the UNA community.

Heidi Tilenius, Employer Development Specialist
htilenius@una.edu

Heidi Tilenius, Murray State University (BS ‘86), worked 20+ years in corporate America before returning to UNA in 2006 to earn her MBA(2008). “With experience in sales and management I feel I am able to help prepare students for life after college. I know what skills employers are looking for in employees. I look forward to working with employers in creating partnerships that are beneficial to the employer and students/graduates as well. We can all learn from each other."

 
Jennifer Smith, Career Development Coordinator
jsmith9@una.edu

Jennifer joined Career Planning and Development in January of 2010. Before joining Career Planning and Development, she advised undecided students within the College of Arts and Sciences for almost seven years. “I am very excited about being able to combine my advising skills with career planning in order to best serve the needs of the students at UNA.” Jennifer assists students with career counseling, assessment interpretation, resume preparation, mock interviews, job searches, decisions regarding majors, and much more. She graduated from UNA with a BS in Communication Arts: Public Communications and a MA in Community Counseling. She is married to David Smith, and they have two sons, Isaiah and Spencer.

Kay Wammack, Senior Administrative Assistant
lwammack@una.edu

Kay Wammack joined UNA in February, 2009, as Sr. Administrative Assistant. She graduated with a B.S. from Samford University and worked in the insurance industry in Birmingham before moving to the Shoals area. Kay and her husband, Chip, have two children, Paul and Rachel. Kay appreciates the opportunity to help students realize their potential and begin the journey toward achieving their life goals.

Stephanie Smith, Student Employment Coordinator
srsmith3@una.edu

Stephanie joined Career Planning and Development in April of 2010. Before joining Career Planning and Development, she worked in Student Financial Services for two years. “I am extremely excited about utilizing my 8 years of HR experience towards developing the student employment program in order to best serve the needs of the students and the university.” Stephanie coordinates every aspect of on-campus employment including, work-study eligibility, new hire orientation along with training departmental supervisors on hiring policies & procedures. She graduated from Alabama A&M University with a B.S. in Business Management and a Masters of Business Administration in Human Resources. Stephanie and her husband Omar have two children. She is excited to continue her career with the University of North Alabama and to be a part of the positive direction that Student Affairs continues to move in.