Team

Mary Santoro, Career Advisor, GCDF

Mary Santoro graduated from Roger Williams University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Leadership at University College. In her time at Roger Williams, she has worked for over three mentoring offices and enjoys supporting students on their professional and academic journeys. Mary has interned with the Center for Career and Professional Development for four years before accepting a full position serving as the internship and career planning seminar’s primary instructor. Currently, Mary serves as the Career Advisor for the Gabelli School of Business and the Undeclared Student populations at RWU. Additionally, Mary is motivated by working with students directly assisting fellow hawks in confidence building, career coaching, and professional document development through resume and cover letter reviews and more!

Career advisor for the following majors:
Gabelli School of Business: All Majors | All Undeclared Student Populations

Richelle Hurley, M.A., Career Advisor Richelle Hurley received both her B.A. and M.A. in Communication from Villanova University in 2017 and 2018, respectively. She then worked for two years as an Area Coordinator in the Office of Residence Life and Housing at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. Following her time at Holy Cross, Richelle worked in Human Resources at Perspectives Corporation in North Kingstown, RI. While at Perspectives, Richelle managed recruiting, hiring, and training of employees, and served as the liaison for the agency’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services department. Richelle is excited to be joining the CCPD and is passionate about supporting students through their Higher Education journeys and beyond.

Career advisor for following majors:
School of Social and Natural Sciences: Anthropology & Sociology, Forensic & Legal Psychology, Forensic Mental Health Counseling, International Relations, Political Science, Psychology
School of Justice Studies: All Majors

Molly Williams, M.Ed. – Career Advisor

Molly Williams earned a B.A. in Medicine, Health, and Society with a double major in Human & Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University and an M.Ed. in Higher Education & Student Affairs Administration from the University of Vermont. Between undergraduate, graduate, and professional roles, she has been working on university campuses for eight years in a variety of areas including residence life, admissions, fraternity & sorority life, academic affairs, and now career development. Molly is excited to accompany students as they discover their passions and develop their skills as leaders and citizens, and to help them connect their experiences inside and outside the classroom to their journey beyond Roger Williams.

Molly is the Career Advisor for the following majors:
School of Engineering, Computing and Construction Management: All Majors
School of Social and Natural Sciences: Applied Mathematics, Aquaculture & Aquarium Science, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Mathematics, Public Health

Rena Piller-Thurston ‘97, Assistant Director, Experiential Learning 

Rena Piller-Thurston graduated from Roger Williams University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Leadership at University College. After graduating with her BA, she began a curatorial position and later a development position at the Newport Historical Society.  Following her time at the Newport Historical Society, she worked at the Preservation Society of Newport County managing their Annual Fund.  Rena returned to RWU in 2004 to work in the Office of Institutional Advancement and later the Honors Program.  She took over coordination of the internship program as the Assistant Director, Experiential Learning in the Center for Career & Professional Development in April 2018. 

Sierra Zschirnt, Associate Director, External Relations 

After graduating from Salve Regina University with a degree in Administration of Justice Sierra worked for a luxury, wedding and event planning company in Newport Rhode Island for 5 years. In that 5 years Sierra also served as the Director of Development for the non profit the Confetti Foundation. Sierra joined Roger Williams University as the Associate Director of External Relations in July of 2018. She works to establish new and grow existing, alumni and employer partnerships to help develop programs and events that support and enhance students’ professional skills.  

Aaron Buzay, Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement 

Aaron Buzay graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance followed by a Master of Arts in Education and Business Administration from Bethel University. Aaron undertook leadership roles across secondary education and university settings in both teaching and administrative roles. More recently, Aaron has worked at Stanford University as Associate Dean and Director of Finance and Operations as well as Harvard University as the Executive Director of Administration. Before joining Roger Williams University, Aaron was Associate Vice President of Advancement Operations at the Museum of Science in Boston. Aaron currently leads the Center for Career and Professional Development as Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement, working to extend career services to all audiences of Roger Williams University in innovative and strategic ways.