Jess Truong-Castellanos
Director, Career Services
Hola! I’m Jess Truong-Castellanos (she/her), and I serve as the Director of the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. I’m a career educator who’s passionate about helping students explore their interests, build their confidence, and take meaningful steps toward their goals. My work centers equity, relationship-building, and creating programs that make career development accessible and empowering for all students. I love partnering with faculty, staff, employers, and community organizations to expand opportunities and support students in finding pathways that fit their strengths and values.
Gina Musto
Program Manager, Career Services
I’m Gina (pronouns: she/they) and I’m a graduate of Augsburg University in the MFA in Creative Writing program and a current Master of Social Work student. I’ve previously worked for Capella University as well as the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis Public Schools, and Target. I’ve had a wide array of work experiences and infuse that knowledge to support navigate the job field, from everything to choosing a major to applying to jobs to changing careers. I’m also passionate about connecting with fellow alums and finding ways to grow mentorship experiences.
I am a liaison for the Schwartz School of Fine Arts and the School of Humanities and Social Science. I run the Career Collaborative and am also eager to help faculty with infusing career skills and exploration into their curriculum.
Specialties and Interests
Career ExplorationChoosing a MajorPrepare for Graduate SchoolMental HealthSchwartz School of Fine ArtsSchool of Humanities and Social ScienceMa Xiong-Nguyen
Career Services Program Manager
Nyob zoo! Hello! It’s great to be at Augsburg with the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work. I am the Career Services Program Manager for the employer pipeline programs (including Travelers EDGE). I graduated from St. Olaf College with a Biology major and Women Studies concentration. I never thought I would be working in career services. I’d love to share how I started off as a biology major to working in higher education, focusing on career development. In between that, I’ve worked in non-profit, TRIO programs (Upward Bound/Student Support Services) and taught English in South Korea. I look forward to meeting students and hearing about your passions and interests.
Specialties and Interests
Travelers EDGESchool of BusinessMarcus Carrigan
Program Associate
Marcus Carrigan (he/they) is the Program Associate for Career Services and Office Campus Studies. Marcus specializes in cultivating strategic employer partnerships that provide students with essential experiential learning opportunities. He connects leading organizations with top talent through targeted internships and career placements, facilitating mutually beneficial relationships. By bridging the gap between academic excellence and professional needs, Marcus empowers employers to access a pipeline of highly motivated and prepared future leaders.
Mayra Mendez
Career and Pre-Professional Specialist
Hi! I’m Mayra Mendez (she/ella), and I serve as a Career and Pre-Professional Specialist at the Strommen Center. I’m a proud first-generation college graduate, holding a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Science in Management with a minor in Psychology, both from Southern Illinois University (SIU). I’m passionate about helping students navigate their career journeys, empowering them to explore opportunities that align with their unique goals, strengths, and values. I believe that growth comes from pushing boundaries. Whether it’s applying for an internship, preparing for an interview, or figuring out the next steps, I’m here to encourage and support students as they take those sometimes scary leaps!
I am the liaison for the School of Health and the School of Natural Sciences. I work predominantly with students who are interested in graduate school, specifically pre-professional students (pre-law, pre-health, pre-MBA, etc.).