Meet the staff of Career Development

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Michelle Meyer
Dean for Academic Success

• B.A. History, Fairleigh Dickinson University
• M.A.T, M. A. Learning Disabilities, Fairleigh Dickinson University
• M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Michelle has enjoyed working with students in a variety of ways throughout her career. She worked at James I. O’Neil High School throughout college and right after graduation before realizing her true passion was to work in higher education. She made the leap to higher education by working at Fairleigh Dickinson University as an Assistive Technology Coordinator and a Learning Disabilities Specialist for 10 years. In 2015 she accepted the position at Centenary University as the Director of Disability Services and eventually moved into her current role as Dean for Academic Success in 2021.  Michelle is the administrative supervisor for the ASAC team, but also works directly with students to support their academic growth. She enjoys all components of her current position, but the best part is watching students develop skills and meet their potential.

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Juliana Belar

Academic and Career Coach 

• B.S. Kinesiology: Sport Studies, Minor: Business Administration, University of New Hampshire
• M.A. College Student Personnel, Bowling Green State University

Prior to Centenary, I earned my master’s degree in College Student Personnel at Bowling Green State University, where I worked as a Graduate Assistant Women’s Gymnastics Coach and an Academic Coordinator in the Office of Student-Athlete Services.

I earned my bachelor’s degree at the University of New Hampshire where I was a Division 1 gymnast and then a Student-Assistant Coach. While I studied Kinesiology: Sport Studies, with a minor in Business Administration, I also spent time as a Research Assistant for a team targeting Leadership Development in Female Student-Athletes, and a Teaching Assistant for a Principles of Coaching Course.

My passion for working as an Academic and Career Coach at Centenary University stems from my ambition to have an impact on students in their collegiate journey and beyond.

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Nancy Podesta

Career Coach & Employer Development Specialist

• B. A. Sociology, Centenary University

Nancy’s background incorporates education and staffing. Prior to Centenary, she worked in Randolph Township Schools as an Instructional Assistant/Job Coach. In this role, she taught, advised, and coached students on career readiness as well as trained them on specific job requirements for entry-level positions. Before Randolph Schools, she worked as a Senior Recruiter for Lloyd Staffing where she was the liaison between job candidates and employers. Nancy handled the entire staffing process from recruiting to placing candidates in a wide array of businesses from small to Fortune 500 Companies. Additionally, she was responsible for sales development which gave her the vital skills of forming and building relationships with employers.

Nancy’s passion is to support students and help them reach their fullest potential. She has a student-centric focus to assist them in finding internships and gainful employment.