Biographies of the MCDA Leadership
Elected Officers
Michelle M. Carroll, President
Michelle Carroll is currently a Career Advisor for the University of Maryland University College and has worked in the field of Career Development for more than 15 years. She received her M.A. in Career Development from John F. Kennedy University and her B.S. in Sociology from the University of Maryland, College Park. Michelle offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise gleaned from her experiences as a Career Counselor/Coach, Adult Educator, Corporate Recruiter/Job Placement Specialist, and Small Business Owner. Her areas of expertise include career counseling/coaching, administration and interpretation of career assessments, networking, resume coaching and job search strategies, and workshop presentation and training in the areas of career development, leadership and team building.
Lakeisha Moore Matthews, President-Elect
Lakeisha Moore Mathews is a dynamic professional who has a passion for the field of career development. She brings a unique outlook to career development having assisted students with college admissions, academic advising and career services. Mrs. Mathews takes her role as a career services professional seriously and recognizes the profound impact that career advising has in the life of her clients. Lakeisha currently serves as the Assistant Director and Liaison for Alumni and Graduate Students at The Career Center at Loyola University Maryland where her work touches the lives of undergraduate students, career changers and executives. Mrs. Mathews holds a M.S. in Human Resource Development from Towson University, B.A. in Communication from the University of Maryland at College Park and is currently seeking a M.S. in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University Maryland. She has also completed the Career Development Facilitator (CDF) course with MCDA and is awaiting certification from the Center for Credentialing and Education. Lakeisha is a visionary leader and consummate professional whose strengths are organizational development and project management. Lakeisha’s interest areas are job seeking skills, career development for introverts, African American women and workplace effectiveness and career paths for liberal arts majors. She has over 10 years of experience in higher education spanning various areas of college student personnel including resident life, orientation, academic advising and of course, career services. Mrs. Mathews likes to say she has helped students get admitted into college, remain in college, and transition out of college!
Paula Brand, Secretary
bio coming soon
Marilyn Maze, Treasurer
Marilyn Maze, Ph.D, is a Principal Research Associate for ACT, Inc. and one of the developers of DISCOVER, a computerized career guidance program that includes extensive information about occupations, majors, schools, and other aspects of career planning.
Amanda C. Baker, Past-President
Amanda Baker, M.S., is currently an assistant director in the Career Center at Johns Hopkins University. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in psychology from Shippensburg University; her Master of Education from The Pennsylvania State University in Curriculum and Instruction in 2001; and her Master of Science in Counselor Education in 2005. She has over 10 years of experience in education and 5 years of experience as a career counselor. She has instructed in a variety of settings including early childhood, secondary education, higher education, and adults. She teaches a graduate course in Career Development Theory at Towson University. Ms. Baker is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Distance Certified Counselor (DCC). She serves on the Ethics Committee of the National Career Development Association (NCDA).
Committee Chairs
Karol Taylor, Public Relations Chair
Karol Taylor is the founder and owner of Taylor Your Career, a resume-writing, career/educational advising service. With more than 28 years of federal service, including 15 years of career advising and 5 years of academic advising, Karol brings a broad perspective and considerable expertise to the career management, student support, and federal hiring process. Karol is a two-time recipient of the coveted Department of Health and Human Service's Secretary's Award for Distinguished Services in 2001 and 2003. She has also received numerous Assistant Secretary's Awards and the 2003 Middle Atlantic Career Counseling Association’s Goodwill Ambassador Award. Karol presented at the 2002, 2004 and 2007 annual MCDA conferences, and at the following conferences: 2006 National Employment Counselor’s Association; t2007 Wisconsin Careers; 2007 Raising the Bar in Workforce Development; 2007 Eastern Association of Counselors and Employers; and the 2007 International Career Development event. Additionally, Karol has been Program Chair for the Association for Career Professionals International – DC Chapter, and on the METRO Area Career and Life Planning Network Advisory Board.
Diana Bailey, CEU Chair
Ms. Bailey has been an educator and administrator for over 30 years with increasing responsibility. Considerable experience has been working with a broad range of special populations moving through education, occupational training, and employment and progressing on their career pathway. Ms. Bailey has worked with Correctional Education for over 10 years with an emphasis on program development and implementation of services providing career development, workforce development and transitional skill information for inmates returning to their community and employment. Additionally, Ms. Bailey has facilitated local, state, and national professional development activities and resources for multidisciplinary staff and agencies working with people who have been incarcerated. She holds numerous degrees and certifications related to career and workforce development such as Global Career Development Facilitator/instructor certified by National Career Development Association/CCE. She also holds several National Institute of Corrections certifications including the Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS-I).
Lynn Eskite, Membership Chair
