Cornell Engineering : Contact Us

Contact Us

The Staff

	Mark S. Savage Director mss9@cornell.edu Mark Savage is director of Cooperative Education and Career Services for the College of Engineering at Cornell University. He joined Cornell University in 1984 after holding previous roles as assistant dean for Student Development at Salem College (now Salem International University) and area residential complex director at Ohio University. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English and Psychology from Ball State University and the Master of Science Degree in Counseling & Psychological Services from SUNY - Oswego. Mr. Savage has chaired several committees and served on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE). He is also a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the Cooperative Education and Internship Association, and the World Association of Cooperative Education, and meets regularly with employers and university career directors on a national scale throughout the year.
	Christa B. Downey Associate Director cd238@cornell.edu Christa Downey has been coordinating the Engineering Co-op Program since 2004. She also regularly advises undergraduate and graduate students on career related issues. She loves working with students to help them get on a career path that is a good fit with their strengths and interests. A Pittsburgh native, she earned her B.S. in Industrial Management at Carnegie Mellon University. Her undergraduate experience as a Head Orientation Leader and member of the Student Alumni Relations Council influences her decision to pursue a career in Student Affairs. After earning an M.S. in College Student Personnel at Miami University (Miami was a University before Florida was a State), she held positions as a Residence Hall Director, Academic Advisor, and Adjunct Instructor. She currently serves on the board of New York State Cooperative and Experiential Education Association. In her leisure time, Christa enjoys baking, reading, swimming, kayaking, camping, and anything that involves food or the outdoors. Her favorite hike was in the Tatra Mountains in Poland.
	Claire C. Benton Assistant Director ccb38@cornell.edu Claire Benton grew up in northern Wisconsin and attended high school in Minnesota. Claire studied at the University of Minnesota Duluth where she earned a B.A. in Women’s Studies and Outdoor Recreation and attended Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota where she earned an M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services. Claire began her career working in the nonprofit field as a Women’s Advocate and an Employment Counselor. Claire’s professional career in higher education student services began when she worked as a Graduate Assistant at Macalester College in St. Paul MN and as a Career Counselor at Vassar College July 2004-October 2006. Claire began working as the Assistant Director in the Co-op & Career Services office at Cornell in October of 2006. Claire works closely with all Engineering students. Her major role is to assist and counsel students who are interested in finding full-time, internship and Co-op positions; assist with resume and cover letter critiques, job offers, and interviewing skills; and assist students with learning about various Engineering majors. In addition, she in charge of the career-related workshops, office publications, oversees the Career Peer Advisor program and co-teachers the ENGRG 235 Career Class. When she is not working, Claire enjoys participating in a wide variety of outdoor activities, socializing and eating with her friends, partner Sam and dog Denali.
	Mary Ellen Buhl Career Program Advisor: Applied Statistics MPS meb7@cornell.edu Since March 2006, after completing the role of Assistant Director in Engineering Co-op & Career Services for 16 years, Mary Ellen is currently working with graduate students enrolled in the Masters of Professional Studies in Applied Statistics program. She assists students with job search preparation and career decisions. Prior to coming to Cornell, Mary Ellen taught physical education and substituted in the K-6 classroom for 12 years. While teaching, she also coached varsity basketball, junior high field hockey and track and field, and refereed college field hockey and volleyball and taught skiing at Greek Peak. Other "extracurricular activities" include owning and working a farm for 30+ years, raising two children, and participation on the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE) board and the Moravia Powers Library board. Making a career change after 12 years as a teacher helped her better understand the issues students have to deal with while making their career decisions.
	Ami M. Stuart Recruiting Coordinator/Employer Relations eng-recruiting@cornell.edu Ami Stuart, Employer Relations and Recruiting Coordinator for the College of Engineering's Co-op and Career Services Office since 2005, is a graduate from the University of Pittsburgh and is currently completing her B.S. from Cornell's ILR School. She brings prior human resources and recruiting experience from the manufacturing sector with her. Through partnerships with employers Ami provides recruiting options and strategies to meet their hiring needs for intern, Co-op, and full time engineers and manages on-campus recruiting for the College of Engineering.
	Amanda Phillips Co-op Assistant arp88@cornell.edu Amanda Phillips joined the Engineering Co-op and Career Services Office in August 2007. As Student and Office Operations person she is the first person who will greet you when you visit our office. Amanda graduated with honors from Corning Community College in 2001 with an Associates Degree in Humanities. While at Corning she was awarded Most Distinguished Chapter President with Phi Theta Kappa for her dedication, service and volunteer hours in the community. Prior to joining Cornell, Amanda was a Medical Student Coordinator and Recruiter for three years at Guthrie Healthcare Systems. During that time she worked with medical universities from all over the country to coordinate electives, internships and academic rotations for third and fourth year medical students. In addition, Amanda played an active role in recruiting medical students to Guthrie's Residency Programs. In her free time, Amanda enjoys gardening, photography, baking and being with friends and family. In the summertime you will find her at Seneca Lake hiking the gorge, boating, camping and picnicking.
	Jill Twohig Student and Office Operations jt385@cornell.edu Jill is the newest addition to our office, having come to us from the Dean's Office of the Graduate School and CCTEC. She co-supervises our Peer Advisors, oversees the front desk area, and provides assistance and a warm welcome to visitors. Jill brings to our office a wide experience in human services. She has worked previously as a school counselor, personnel manager and technical writer. She is also an active volunteer with several local and national women's and arts organizations. Jill holds a BA in Psychology and an MS in Counseling. She is a voracious reader, accomplished cook, and aspiring painter.