Carnegie Mellon University
Human Resources  ›  HR News  ›  2023  ›  Staff Highlight: Talent Acquisition Team

group picture of central Talent Strategy team

November 28, 2023

Staff Highlight: Talent Acquisition Team

The CMU Talent Acquisition team partners with hiring managers to attract, source and select diverse, world-class talent. Each member of the team supports hiring managers throughout the recruitment process including:

  • Developing a recruiting and/or sourcing strategy to attract a diverse and highly qualified applicant pool
  • Initial assessment of an applicant’s qualifications
  • Initial phone screens to confirm interests, experience and compensation expectations align
  • Initiating reference checks for finalist candidates
  • Reviewing and preparing offer details
  • Extending contingent verbal offers and navigating negotiations
  • Preparing and extending contingent written offers
  • Initiating pre-employment background checks
  • and more!

Additionally, the team supports special OHR initiatives and programs such as the Employee Referral Program for staff and the Dual Career Program. They also assist colleges and divisions with their temporary employment needs through the Temporary Employment Service program.

Introducing the Team

Office of Human Resources Team Members

  • Star Broadus, manager, Temporary Employment Service
    • Campus clients: Temporary Employment Service
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? I enjoy being able to meet so many people from diverse backgrounds. In TES we serve the entire campus community so there's a lot of opportunity to network across the university. I also appreciate the many opportunities for professional development.
    • Fun fact: I climbed the Great Wall of China with my Terrible Towel!
  • Aaron DeHart, recruiter
    • Campus clients: Robotics Institute and Computing Services
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? Working for a university with such a rich history and connection to the Pittsburgh area. Having the opportunity to engage and collaborate with departments, staff and faculty who are industry leaders in their respective fields. I started with CMU in October and wanted to recognize how welcoming, friendly and supportive everyone has been during my first month at the university.
    • Fun fact: I have been a huge baseball fan since I was a kid and my goal is to visit all 30 MLB stadiums. So far, I have attended games at eight different stadiums, my last few being Yankees stadium and Wrigley Field.
  • Kayla Graw, recruiter
    • Campus clients: Mellon College of Science, University Libraries and Office of Vice President for Research
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? I really love the history and roots of CMU, but I also love the way the university has propelled itself into the future with the amazing research and studies going on here. There is so much to learn, and it is great to be part of such a thought-provoking community. 
    • Fun fact: I learned how to crochet during the pandemic and have made about 20+ blankets since then. I am now learning how to make sweaters! 
  • Matthew Lemarie, senior recruiter
    • Campus clients: College of Engineering and Cyert Center for Early Education
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? I enjoy the people at CMU more than anything! Having great coworkers makes every day easier. 
    • Fun fact: I've lived on four different continents! I have lived in Europe, South America, Asia and North America.
  • Katie Ludwig, senior recruiting operations specialist
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? I love my team! We are not only co-workers, but also friends, which means so much to me. I am grateful to have co-workers who are supportive, intelligent, kind, and can always put a smile on my face!
    • Fun fact: I enjoy minimalism, but the one thing I collect is Christmas tree ornaments. Christmas is my favorite holiday! I purchase ornaments from each place that I travel to and enjoy reminiscing about my trips each year when I decorate my tree.
  • Alison Parshall, senior recruiter
    • Campus clients: Dietrich College, College of Fine Arts and University Communications & Marketing
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? I love being part of an institution where I feel valued and know that the work I do every day really does matter and has a positive impact on others.
    • Fun fact: In the almost 18 years that I have been working at CMU, I have had 11 different office spaces.
  • DeAnna Robinson, recruiter
    • Campus clients: Provost Office and School of Computer Science
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? What I like most about working at CMU are the opportunities for professional development. There is a ton of support from our leadership to continue expanding our skill sets and developing our careers. 
    • Fun fact: A fun fact about me is that I have always been a very clumsy person. I once went through a window (luckily it was on the first floor!) trying to get away from a bee ... ended up with over 100 stitches and three days in the hospital! 
  • Kaylea Schreibeis, recruiter
    • Campus clients: Division of Student Affairs, Tepper School of Business and Finance Division
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? I love the collaborative environment of CMU and the passion that everyone has for their work. The campus environment is a great place to be, and I love working with various departments across campus and building those strong partnerships to help hire top talent.
    • Fun fact: I have successfully given the Heimlich maneuver three times to individuals choking. 
  • Savannah Sugar, recruiter
    • Campus clients: Facilities, Infrastructure and Risk Management Division
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? My favorite part about working at CMU is the urban campus environment!
    • Fun fact: I love to travel as much as possible, and the number one destination on my bucket list is Croatia! 
  • Clare Sun, HR business partner (recruiting support)
    • Campus clients: University Advancement
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? My favorite part about working at CMU is the vibrant and diverse community.
    • Fun fact: I was a competitive swimmer and spent my summers in high school/college teaching swimming at a local summer camp. After doing the math, I worked with over 2,000 kids over the span of the seven years I was there.
  • Allison Turner, recruiter
    • Campus clients: Temporary Employment Services and Heinz College
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? My favorite part of working at the university is the amazing staff and collaborative work environment across campus. Everyone is always willing to give whatever support is needed.
    • Fun fact: My fun fact is that I have a green thumb. I have 20 plants at home that I take care of that are thriving!
  • Goshuami (Gigi) Valoy, recruiting operations specialist
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? As someone who just joined CMU three months ago, my favorite part has been the amazing team I work with, and the overwhelming amount of support I've received from everyone. I'm grateful to say that I can always rely on my peers and have felt very welcome from the start.
    • Fun fact: I am red/green colorblind.
  • Megan Walter, senior director, Talent Acquisition
    • Campus clients: President’s Office, Investment Office and the Office of the General Counsel
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? The people and the commitment to continuous improvement are by far some of my favorite things about CMU. CMU is composed of some of the most inspiring, creative and compassionate people, including those members of my team. I appreciate the opportunities to collaborate with a diverse array of professionals to help identify solutions to streamline processes and elevate experiences.
    • Fun fact: Within the first few hours of being born, I was switched at birth for approximately 10 minutes, and my name was Stephanie.

Partners in Talent Acquisition — These individuals are embedded within their campus clients and support them directly with their talent acquisition needs.

  •  Christine DeCarolis, senior recruiter
    • Campus clients: National Robotics Engineering Center
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? I attended graduate school at Heinz College and loved my experience at CMU. So, I'm happy that I am able to work at CMU/NREC with robotics and experience all the new and amazing technology and work being done by this world class university.
    • Fun fact: I am an animal lover and for the past few years have been heading up a local group to get lost and discarded pets back home before they go to the pound. I have also organized two local house tours for community development and the veterans organization in my area for better community awareness and because they are fun!
  • Tracy Montgomery, senior talent acquisition specialist
    • Campus clients: Software Engineering Institute
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? One of the very reasons I considered applying to CMU was my attraction to academia and the learner-centric environment provided to students. Occasionally, I am fortunate to support CMU graduates, particularly early career, with their pursuit of working for the SEI. The SEI is a mission-driven environment and I am grateful to be, in some small way, helping serve our government and industry partners through our hiring efforts.
    • Fun fact: I was off to rough start to the football season, but just this week I claimed first place in our fantasy football league.
  • Nuvia Nishad, senior technical recruiter
    • Campus clients: National Robotics Engineering Center
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? I enjoy being a part of an organization that inspires innovation and supports the learning and development of their staff.
    • Fun fact: I enjoy learning about new cultures and cuisines and I speak four languages.
  • Bill Scully, people operations partner, recruiting lead
    • Campus clients: Software Engineering Institute
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? Lots of things! There are so many opportunities to learn here. The work is challenging and interesting. I’m proud to be a contributor to the SEI’s mission. Our work in software, AI and cyber helps to keep the nation safe.
    • Fun fact: Music is a huge part of my life. I have been playing in bands for over 30 years and have a large vinyl record collection.
  • Maria Vesce, talent acquisition specialist
    • Campus clients: Software Engineering Institute
    • What do you like most about working at CMU? Everyone I work with! It is great to be around other people who enjoy their work, are passionate about it, and always willing to help.  
    • Fun fact: I am an avid reader and participating in a challenge to read one book a week this year. So far, I’m on track!

Resources and More Information

The Talent Acquisition team is here to help! They consistently provide excellent services to their campus clients by using their unique expertise and pointing hiring managers to the many resources available to assist with the recruitment process. Visit the Talent Strategy page for all things related to your talent needs. To find your college or division's recruiter, please check out the HR teams page.