Meet the Team
Meet the Team
Angela Tsuei-Strause
Executive Director
Angela joined Queens in 2013 and leads the career office’s strategic efforts to support students, alumni and employers. She is particularly interested in supporting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and working with economic mobility efforts. Prior to Queens, Angela headed Parsons School of Design’s career office in New York. Angela holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Cornell University and a Master of Science in Organization Development from Queens. She is additionally a member of Leadership Charlotte. In her spare time, Angela enjoys her family, gardening, reading Wikipedia and interior decorating.
Contact her about: the office and resources available, how an employer can work with us, first destination outcomes.
Maria Boyer
Office Coordinator
Maria joined Queens in January of 2023 and serves as Coordinator of the Vandiver Center for Career Development. She loves being a friendly face to everyone who enters the office and working with her wonderful team to support all office projects and initiatives. Before her time in Charlotte, Maria lived in Tempe, Arizona where she worked with new students at University of Advancing Technology in between hiking, camping, road tripping, and other adventures. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Maria has her Bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University in Strategic Communication and Media. Maria’s favorite hobbies include cooking/food, painting, all things outdoors, staying active, music, sports, and enjoying time spent with family and friends.
Contact her about: the office and resources available, the internship program, the career closet, how an employer can work with us.
Lucas Ellison
Assistant Director of Employer Relations
Lucas Ellison joined Queens University Vandiver Center for Career Development in May 2022 as Assistant Director of Employer Relations. Lucas builds longstanding relationships with employer partners, develops engaging events for students to connect with organizations, and career coaches students and alumni pursuing careers in the public and human services, education, and nonprofit industries. Lucas comes from New York where he worked in career development at both Bard College and the Culinary Institute of America. He also has a background in higher education admissions and academic advising. He graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego with his bachelor’s degree in broadcasting/mass communications and received his master’s degree in higher education administration from Southern New Hampshire University. Lucas enjoys making his own beef jerky, watching sports (go Giants!), and exploring the Charlotte area.
Contact him about: employer engagement, recruitment activities, and career coaching for public and human services, education, and nonprofit industries.
Katherine Evans
Associate Director of Career Readiness and Planning
Katherine Evans joined Queens in January 2024 and serves as the Associate Director of Career Readiness and Planning. Before joining the team at the Vandiver Center for Career Development, she was the Donor Relations Specialist for the Scotland Memorial Foundation. Kat has had the opportunity to work on a variety of college campuses in the career development space, along with student life and academic affairs. Kat is originally from Pawhuska, OK, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University. Her first job out of college was a leadership consultant for Zeta Tau Alpha, which led her to complete a master’s degree at the University of South Florida. Kat also completed her MBA at St. Andrews University and is a member of the Junior League of Charlotte. She enjoys coaching and leading fitness sessions, along with spending time with her family and friends. She is a fan of coffee, traveling, and attending sporting events.
Contact her about: the internship program, career readiness & planning events, and for career coaching for exploratory students.
Blaise Gourley
Employer Relations Manager
Blaise joined Queens in March 2022 and serves as the Employer Relations Manager. He supports in the development and enrichment of employer relationships, creating meaningful events for Royals to develop professionally. He has served in a variety of roles in higher education thus far and most recently served in the office of Graduate Admissions at Queens. He currently holds two bachelor’s degrees in Marketing and Administrative Leadership in Business Industries (Liberal Studies) respectively from North Carolina Wesleyan University. He is also currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration. Blaise is a North Carolina native and enjoys spending time outdoors, attending/watching sports events, researching industry developments, and engaging in rich conversations with others. He lives by the belief that everyone is unique and has a special gift to share with the world. “You are the key to a purpose the world needs. Only you can unlock it.”
Contact him about: employer engagement, recruitment activities, and career support in art, design, media, communications, health, and sciences.
Hannah Slaton
Career Coach
Hannah Slaton joined Queens in October 2022 as Career Coach. Hannah is connection-driven and brings engaging career readiness and planning resources to students and alumni. Hannah focuses on building relationships with students and alumni, faculty, and staff, and loves to create a colorful and welcoming atmosphere in her office. She is originally from the mountains of Western NC and moved to the Charlotte area to study psychology and Spanish at Wingate University before completing her master’s degree in Counseling at UNC Charlotte. In her spare time, Hannah loves to take walks with her dog Maverick, attend Charlotte sporting events, hike and camp with family in the mountains, and go to fitness classes at her local YMCA.
Contact her about: Career readiness and planning events, student organization partnerships, and career coaching for all students and alumni.
Alyssa Wright
Career Coach
Alyssa was thrilled to join Queens at the end of July 2023 as a Career Coach. She values building meaningful relationships with students, coworkers, on campus partners, and colleagues and has a student-first mentality. Alyssa looks forward to collaborating with faculty and staff, student groups, and organizations to engage students in a range of career readiness events and programming. Alyssa will be providing career coaching for students in the art, design, media, and communication industry, as well as the health and sciences industry. Alyssa is originally from Connecticut where she completed her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut in Human Development and Family Sciences, as well as her Master’s degree from Central Connecticut State University in Counselor Education with a specialization in Student Development in Higher Education. Alyssa previously served as an Academic Advisor at Eastern Connecticut State University before joining Queens. Alyssa enjoys attending workout classes, watching sports, taking weekend trips whenever possible, and anything that involves good food! Her favorite place to visit is Cape Cod, and she’s a big Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
Contact her about: Career readiness and planning events, student organization partnerships, and career coaching for students and alumni in the art design, media, and communication & health and sciences industries.
