Laura Daniels is the Assistant Director of Internships and Career Advising at the Career Center. As a part of her role, she advises cinema and television students. Previously, she was the External Relations Coordinator for the Interactive Arts and Media Department, where she increased industry relations and student participation in conferences such as the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco and SXSW in Austin. Prior to coming to Columbia, Laura held a variety of positions in the television industry, including working for NBC Universal as an NBC Page, for A&E in development, and on production for My Strange Addiction.

Originally from Wisconsin, Laura spent three years working in New York City before moving to Chicago in 2012.

Jennifer advises students in Communication, English, and Creative Writing.

Jennifer Halperin was a long-time newspaper reporter and editor before joining Columbia's staff in 2007.  She is eager to help anyone with internship and job searches, or with making connections in their field.

Chakka advises students in Cinema and Television Arts.

Chakka's professional journey started in student affairs, where she worked in residence life and multicultural programs before transitioning to a media career. Before joining Columbia College Chicago, Chakka managed Free Spirit Media's Industry Pathways, where she worked with film, TV, and media industry professionals to provide workforce opportunities to emerging mediamakers from marginalized communities and identities.

As an Internship and Career Advisor for the Career Center at Columbia College Chicago, Chakka provides career readiness and job search coaching for students in Columbia College Chicago's Cinema and Television Arts department.

Chakka received her Master of Education in College Student Personnel from the University of Maryland College Park, and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she received Bronze Tablet Honors. When not career coaching or advising, Chakka is a multimedia producer. Her projects include the short film; many short non-fiction video pieces, and the Highwater Podcast, a forum for artists and creatives to share their stories.

Tom advises students in B&E, Radio, Music, Audio Arts & Acoustics, Science & Mathematics.

Tom Joyce is an Internship and Career Advisor for the Career Center at Columbia College Chicago. In addition to his B.A. in Communications from Columbia College Chicago, he also has a Masters degree in Higher Education Administration from North Park University. Prior to his current position, he spent 23 years as a full-time staff member for the Radio Department at Columbia College Chicago, serving as Internship Coordinator, Industry Relations Coordinator, Event Coordinator, Web Master, and Studio Center Coordinator. He is a 1993 graduate of Columbia College Chicago. As a student, he was Sports Director and Alternative Music Director for the school radio station, WCRX-FM. While attending Columbia and thereafter, he worked as a Voiceover Talent and Production Assistant at both All My Features and Connor Communications in Chicago. Throughout his endeavors in the media industry, he has interviewed a wide range of local and national athletes and musicians and has reported on several important events. Born and raised in Chicago, he prides himself on “Putting students in a position to succeed in experiential learning activities, internships, or employment opportunities.”

Danielle is a Bradley University graduate who obtained a B.S. degree in Communications with a concentration in Television Arts. Within her last semester in college, she attended the Hollywood Semester in Los Angeles where she worked as an intern at Dr. Phil Show. Her internship transitioned into a full-time position for the following season. She has also worked for Judge Mathis, HGTV’s Windy City Rehab, and worked on a host of many special projects. Some of those special projects include:  ComplexCon, NBA Allstar Weekend, and music videos.  Her experience has led her into nonprofit roles such as Program Coordinating and Teaching in media related programs. Her passions truly collide when having the opportunity to be resourceful and staying in the business of production and all things media.  

Adam is a creative problem-solver and supervises the front desk as the Career Center’s Administrative Assistant. Previously, he has worked in the non-profit sphere for six years in organizations with missions focused on uplifting LGBTQ youth and young people of color, particularly those impacted by homelessness and the justice system. Adam holds a Bachelor of Arts from DePaul University in both Fine Arts and Sociology with a concentration in Criminology.    

When he’s not at the Career Center, he works as a freelance visual artist and storyteller. His work has been showcased at the Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater, Flatiron Galleries, and Fulton Street Collective. He continues his professional trajectory of merging art and activism with plans to network with and highlight other emerging transgender Chicago artists.

Eric began his career in Student Employment while working as a student employee throughout graduate school. He had an incredible start to his career by being exposed to various facets of student employment. Before joining Columbia in 2015, he worked for a higher education system school that gave him the opportunity to oversee student employment efforts at four schools in seven cities. Eric considers himself a student employee activist, and he stands firmly in the belief that student employment is a solid career development opportunity for students to enhance their personal, professional and creative growth.

As the Assistant Director of Student Employment, Eric oversees student employment programming, advocates for the role of student employment, and develops policies and procedures for students and supervisors.

Eric holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fisk University and a Masters of Arts from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He remains connected and actively engaged in the Student Employment community in his role as a Student Employment Essential (SEE) Trainer, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators (MASEA).