Our Team

Keith joined Sacred Heart in 2019 as Executive Director bringing 10+ years of experience in higher education– focusing on student career-readiness and expanding the quality and quantity of professional opportunities available to students.  Keith was drawn to the innovative and transformational culture of the SHU campus. In 2018, Hassell was included in Fairfield County Business Journal’s “40 Under Forty” listing that recognizes and celebrates rising stars in Fairfield County. Additionally, Keith was one of the founding board members of THRIVE – the Bridgeport Regional Emerging Leaders program, where he accepted the 2016 BRBC Rising Star Leadership Award on behalf of the group.

Hometown: Manalapan, NJ 

Childhood Dream Job: Architect 

Favorite Quote: “Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved”  William Jennings Bryan

Advice for SHU Pioneers: College is one of the most exciting times of your life, enjoy it but make the most of the experience! Don’t leave with any regrets!   

Annie graduated from Sacred Heart University in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.  She spent time at Sacred Heart as an intern in the Admissions department and upon graduating, she started her career at FactSet in Norwalk, CT as a Recruiting Coordinator.  Annie spent just under eleven years recruiting college graduates into various entry level rolls.  She joined Sacred Heart University in January 2018 to take what she had learned in the corporate recruiting space to work with students to better their career and professional development.  Annie works specifically with students in the Jack Welch College of Business and Technology and spearheads employer relations initiatives for the office.

Hometown:  Fairfield, CT 

Childhood Dream Job: Olympic Swimmer

Favorite Quote: “Good, better, Best. Never let it rest. Till your good is better, and your better is best”

Advice for SHU Pioneers: Try new things! Be open minded. Have fun. Challenge yourself.  

Mike is a two-time Sacred Heart graduate, graduating with his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 2012 and his MBA in 2014. During his time as an MBA, Mike worked as a full-time Graduate Assistant in the Student Life Office, where he developed a passion for working with students. After completing his MBA, Mike worked as an Accountant for a small cybersecurity company in Milford, CT and as a Treasury Coordinator for a global commodities merchant in Stamford, CT. He soon realized within both positions that something was missing, and it was his passion for working with students that brought him back to Sacred Heart in February 2015 within the Career Development department. Mike serves as a Career Coach for the College of Business student population, as well as serving as a Director of Data, Operations and Recruitment for the department. 

Hometown: Southington, CT 

Childhood Dream Job: Professional Athlete 

Favorite Quote: “ Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Advice for SHU Pioneers: “Get involved early. Your 4 years will go by faster than you think!” 

Amy Novak joined the Center for Career & Professional Development in 2021, after 15+ years of dedication to SHU, most recently as the Director of Student Activities.  As a two time alum, graduating with both her bachelors and master’s degrees, Amy has extensive experience working in higher education promoting student mentorship, leadership, engagement and retention.  Amy currently spearheads the revamped Discover YOU program, guiding students through the process of identifying a major and/or career that matches up with individual interests.

Hometown: Jamestown, RI

Childhood Dream Job: A choreographer and artist

Favorite Quote:  Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.

Advice for SHU Pioneers: “Find your balance. Step out of your comfort zone and take advantage of new beginnings, opportunities and the ability to grow.”

Cicely started her career as a Sales Administrator and then a Regional Sales Representative with a printing company based in New Hampshire. Eventually, she transitioned into a recruiter role across multiple industries before landing at Yale New Haven Health.  Having worked in Human Resources for the majority of her career has provided a very unique skillset to prepare the current Students and Alumni of St. Vincent’s College at Sacred Heart University for their various careers in healthcare. 

Hometown: Fairfield, CT 

Childhood Dream Job: Ballerina & Fashion Designer

Favorite Quote: ”Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.”- Michelle Obama

Advice for SHU Pioneers: Network with everyone that you come in contact with, since many careers start with a connection that you had during your time at Sacred Heart University.

A graduate of Villanova University, Sheila brings considerable experience and knowledge in the area of campus & corporate recruiting. She is the former Vice President of Equities Americas Campus Recruiting for Goldman, Sachs & Co. and the former Equities Americas Campus Recruiting and Training Head for Credit Suisse First Boston, New York as well as a Corporate & Campus Recruiter for Kidder, Peabody & Co., New York. 

Hometown:   Wilton, CT

Childhood Dream Job:   Meteorologist

Favorite Quote:  What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us – Maria Shriver

Advice for SHU Pioneers:   Make the most of each day.  The years will fly by!

Patti has been with the university for 11 years, previously serving the Undergraduate Admissions Office as Associate Director before transitioning to Career Development in 2014. During her years in undergraduate admissions, Patti has successfully orchestrated a robust junior planning night program for local high schools, managed the Student Ambassador program, developed a higher education internship program, and served on The New England Association for College Admission Counseling’s (NEACAC) Annual Conference Committee.  Since her transition to Career Development, Patti has fostered faculty and employer partnerships leading towards intentional professional development including graduate school readiness and alumni-centric programming. Patti is dedicated to exploring and increasing experiential learning opportunities and increasing career readiness competencies for SHU students across all disciplines. Patti has her M.Ed. in Higher Education from The Pennsylvania State University where she researched modernized approaches to the college student experience, employability of future generations, and advancements towards greater societal success through higher education. She received her B.A. in Sociology from Merrimack College. She is a certified professional resume writer through the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches (PARWCC) and completed NACE’s, Career Coaching Intensive training.  In her free time, she enjoys traveling and boating with her husband, daughter, and two Goldendoodles. 

Hometown: Shelton, CT 

Childhood Dream Job: Astronomer 

Favorite Quote: Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts – Winston Churchill 

Advice for SHU Pioneers: Pursue your passions and success will come naturally. Seek the advice of others, early and often.