Shacklett appointed Lipscomb's Director of Career Development Center
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Shacklett succeeds Jim Yates, who worked at Lipscomb for 26 years, 19 of those as the director of Career Services. Yates retired in May to focus on creating a senior ministry within the church he attends.
McDowell said Shacklett is an excellent candidate to lead the office into a new age of needs for career development while building on the progress Yates achieved while working at Lipscomb.
"The whole world is changing in terms of globalization and changing market forces," McDowell said. "Studies show that, on average, new college graduates will have several careers and up to a dozen jobs during their working life. This creates a new focus on career services being a tool alumni can use throughout the years and throughout career changes. We're trying to revamp our offerings at Lipscomb to equip alumni with everything they need, not just to embrace the change, but to lead the change. I fully believe we found a person who can do just that in Lisa Shacklett."
Shacklett has almost 20 years experience in sales and marketing as well as a bachelor's degree from Lipscomb University in marketing. She sees her new position as an opportunity to use her training to connect Lipscomb students, a product she happily endorses, with employers in need of quality employees.
"Lipscomb has such a great product," she said. "The students make wonderful employees, which I've observed in having hired them myself at a former job. They have quality ethics driven by good morals and good values. Their work ethic includes respect and discipline. When I'm talking to the business community, Lipscomb graduates are top notch."
One of Shacklett's first decisions as director was to change the name of the office from Career Services to Career Development Center to reflect the changes the office is making to keep current with student needs.
Shacklett plans to make the Career Development Center into a resource students can use for the rest of their lives.
"We plan to enhance students' lifelong connection with Lipscomb by offering our resources when they are looking for their first jobs to the time that they are deciding to change careers for the seventh time. We want to offer a Career Center that is well known and respected in the business community for supplying exceptional employees; a center that is an asset to our faculty for securing significant internships and part time employment for students; and a center that helps our graduating students acquire meaningful employment.
"I am honored that Lipscomb has chosen me to continue the work of Jim Yates, and I look forward to progressing this office into an invaluable resource for students and employers."
While director of Career Services, Yates was greatly involved with professional organizations both at the state and national level. He provided an extensive network for career services. He was also involved with starting the Nashville wide college and career fair to provide networking opportunities for students as well as involving Lipscomb students in other professional fairs. McDowell said that Yates raised the level of technology used for career services to reflect the needs students have had through the years.
For more information about Lipscomb's Career Development Center, contact Shacklett at 615.279.6296 or by emailing her at lisa.shacklett [at] lipscomb.edu.