Sue Mathias
Sue Mathias is Director of GSPS: Career and Communication in the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University. She has been part of the GSPS team since 2018, developing curriculum, teaching courses, facilitating workshops, and coaching master’s and PhD engineering students on intercultural communication topics.
Sue earned her MA in Teaching ESL and MEd in Curriculum and Instruction at Penn State, where she focused on foreign language education. Her time as an undergraduate and graduate exchange student in Japan continues to inform her pedagogy and passion for intercultural communication and understanding. Sue loves outdoor adventures with family and friends, traveling, and trying new recipes!
Angus Bowers
Angus Bowers brings over 16 years of teaching and language coaching experience to the Graduate Communications and Intercultural Programs at Pratt, having taught at UNC, NS State, and Wake Tech. Angus holds master’s degrees in Social Anthropology from the London School of Economics and Political Science and English Linguistics from NC State University and finds helping students improve their communication and intercultural skills extremely rewarding. Having lived in France, Japan, the UK and Bolivia, Angus enjoys learning languages and exploring different cultures.
Melissa Damann
Melissa Damann is a Communication Consultant with the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University. Through teaching courses, leading workshops, and providing one-on-one coaching, she helps graduate engineering students improve their oral and written communication skills. Melissa is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience. She earned a BS in Human Development at Cornell University, an MA in Linguistics from UNC-Chapel Hill, and is pursuing her PhD in Educational Leadership at NC State.
Melissa’s passion for travel and lifelong learning has taken her across the US, Europe, Africa, and Asia, fueling her dedication to fostering inclusive, meaningful connections in multicultural settings. In her free time, she loves reading, supporting live theater, and exploring the great outdoors.
Cameo Hartz
Cameo Hartz is a career coach and professional development trainer for Duke Engineering graduate students. She supports students in navigating career transitions, building effective internship and job search strategies, and developing communication skills that reflect both their expertise and preferences. With a passion for human development, coaching and instructional design, Cameo brings a strengths-based, practical approach to helping students move forward with clarity and confidence. She especially enjoys bridging technical skills with human connection, and helping students thrive in dynamic and evolving professional landscapes. She has a variety of career services roles at Duke University since 2007.
Cameo received her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Rochester, a master’s degree in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University, and maintains credentials with the International Coaching Federation at the PCC level and Gallup as a Global Strengths Coach. Before Duke, she advised and educated students at Hamilton College and the University of Michigan.
Cameo is the co-author of a monograph, Overview of Curricular Approaches, in the Summer 2012 edition of the journal New Directions for Student Services and has written for both the NACE and LinkedIn organizations. She has also been an elected Directorate Member of ACPA’s Commission for Career Services and served on the board of directors for the Career Counselor Technology Forum on LinkedIn.
Allison McIntyre
Allison McIntyre is a Communication Consultant in the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University. She has been part of Graduate Student Programs and Services since 2022, teaching oral and written communication through one-on-one coaching sessions, developing and instructing courses, and facilitating workshops for master’s and PhD students. Allison earned her BA in English Literature at Texas A&M University and her TESOL certification from University of Texas at Dallas. She has almost 30 years of experience working with international communities, including two years serving in the United States Peace Corps in Papua New Guinea. Her time there helped Allison build a foundation and passion for connecting with our global community and a desire for fostering intercultural competency through communication. In her free time, Allison loves traveling with her kids and partner, doing hot yoga, and diving into a good book or movie.
Marcie Pachino
Marcie Pachino has been a Communications Consultant with Graduate Communications and Intercultural Programs (GCIP) in Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering since 2018. She teaches classes, leads workshops, and coaches master’s and PhD students on oral, written and intercultural communication. Prior to Duke, she taught English as a Second Language, journalism and social studies to high school students in Durham Public Schools. Marcie has also taught English in Madrid, Spain and Coyhaique, Chile, and ESL strategies to graduate students in Duke’s Master of Arts in Teaching program . She earned her BA in history at Duke University, her MAT at the School for International Training, and her N.C. Teaching License at N.C. Central University. Marcie speaks Spanish and tries to remember some Chinese she learned as an undergrad. In her free time, Marcie enjoys reading fiction, seeing movies, traveling domestically and internationally, and spending time with friends and family.
Ilana Palmer
IIlana Palmer is a Communication Consultant with the Pratt School of Engineering’s Graduate Student Programs and Services (GSPS). She has over 15 years of experience in education, including work in program development, curriculum alignment, teaching, and coaching. Ilana is passionate about applying emerging technologies to increase student agency, self-reflection, and personalized learning and to foster a dynamic learning environment. Ilana holds a BLA in Psychology from Harvard University and a MEd in TESOL from Boston University.
Angelica Ramirez Blanks
Angelica is a career coach who helps graduate students navigate school and transition confidently into the workforce. With a strengths-based approach, she encourages students to align their values, passions, and abilities to build fulfilling careers and lives. Angelica earned her BS in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and her MS in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Carolina Aiken. Drawing on this background, Angelica empowers learners to see their goals in a holistic way—integrating career aspirations with overall well-being.
Originally from the DC metro area, Angelica spent over a decade in nonprofit work before discovering career coaching through her graduate assistantship. When she’s not coaching, you’ll find her experimenting with new recipes, playing games with her husband and son, or enjoying stand-up comedy.
Jenny Sloop Johnson
Jenny has been a career coach for over 15 years and brings a wealth of wisdom and warmth to her coaching. Her favorite part of her role is the opportunity to boost confidence and discourage doubt in students each day. When she’s not coaching students and alums on their job or internship search process, Jenny loves to consume books on Reese’s Book Club List, test vegan recipes, and explore new parks with family.
Please email Pratt-GSPS@duke.edu with any questions.
We look forward to helping you navigate your career and academic path with confidence!
