Dr. Mary M. Amtower, Ph.D., LPC
Director, Virginia Career VIEW
Graduate Student 1993 (Career VIEW)
Director since 1996
Mary M. Amtower is the Director of Virginia Career VIEW at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Virginia Career VIEW stands for Vital Information for Education and Work. This grant-funded project (for nearly 30 years) provides occupational and educational information to all Virginia citizens. Career VIEW, emphasizes self-assessment, postsecondary planning, and employment options for all ages.
Dr. Amtower has a B.S. in Education from Virginia Tech; an M.S. from North Carolina, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in Counselor Education. Prior to becoming director of Career VIEW, Dr. Amtower taught in public and private schools in Virginia and North Carolina. Her research interests include career assessment, career development and gender equity, and career transitions for special populations. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice specializing in adult, adolescent and child therapy.
Michele Seibert
Michele Seibert graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in English. She went on to earn a Master's in Counselor Education and upon graduation joined the Virginia Career VIEW team. Michele has worked
with
Virginia Career VIEW for 11 years and has conducted over 250 presentations
at
workshops, in-service trainings, and state and national conferences. She
has
had extensive experience working with educators, parents, students, and
other
professionals including work as a part time counselor for over 7 years at
Family Services at the Roanoke Valley. Currently, Michele is completing her Ph.D. in Counselor Education at Virginia Tech expecting to be finished in
2007.
Carrie Brill
Carrie graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in math and science. Upon graduation she gained valuable experience through serving as a teacher, counselor, and/or director of various youth programs throughout North Carolina, Colorado, and Virginia. She has worked with students from K-12th grade in public, private, and alternative settings. After graduating from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Master in Counselor Education she has recently joined Virginia Career VIEW as an Education and Outreach Coordinator.
Darlene Blake
Darlene Blake currently serves as the Virginia Field Trainer for National Career Assessment Services, Inc. Prior to her employment in this capacity; Ms. Blake was an independent education consultant after retiring with almost 30 years of experience with the Commonwealth of Virginia. During her last 15 years of state service, she served as the Director of Postsecondary Perkins and Tech Prep for the Virginia Community College System. In that capacity one of the projects she led was the creation of a customized postsecondary career planning portfolio for Virginia. Prior to that position, she served in several other positions including assistant director for the Virginia Council on Vocational Education, an administrator at John Tyler Community College, adjunct faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a business education teacher and cooperative office education coordinator at Petersburg High School. Outside of education, Ms. Blake has managed her own group travel and meeting planning business, worked as an office manager, and managed a fan club. She is also an ACT-trained Job Profiler and is currently working toward the Career Development Facilitator (CDF) certification. Ms. Blake was a founding member of the National Tech Prep Network (NTPN) and of the National Association for Tech Prep Leadership (NATPL). She has had several professional articles published and has made presentations at local, state, and national conferences including annual conferences of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), NTPN and the Council for Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (CHRIE). Ms. Blake holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Education and Management and a Master of Science in Travel & Tourism Marketing. Both degrees were earned at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.
Marya C. McPherson
Marya McPherson has recently joined the VA Career VIEW team as an Outreach Coordinator after completing her M.S. in Human Development and Certificate of Gerontology at Virginia Tech. She previously earned a B. A. in Anthropology from Oberlin College and completed graduate coursework in medical anthropology and business. Marya brings to the team over 17 years working with children, families, and individuals of all ages through teaching and social work roles in Athens Georgia and Ohio. She also has recently expanded her program evaluation, research, and grant development skills through work with the Adult Day Center and the Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech. Marya strives to provide optimal educational and programmatic supports to a diverse array of individuals across the lifespan and has a special interest in developing outreaches for people who have to overcome unique barriers as they strive to establish a successful career path.
