Mindy Pelton Hired as director of the Career Services Center at WWU

Mindy Pelton has been hired as director of the Career Services Center at Western Washington University. Pelton, hired following a national search, assumed her new role on July 3.

“I am very excited to have Mindy assume this position and to bring to the role her strengths as a leader, a planner, and a collaborator. I look forward to working with her as we continue to strengthen and build on the services we currently provide to students and alumni,” said Sara Wilson, executive director for the Student Success Initiatives unit.

Western’s Career Services Center helps students relate their academic decisions to career goals, gain career-related experience, learn effective job search strategies and transition successfully to graduate/professional education or career employment after completing their studies at Western. The Center also supports alumni at any stage in their professional and career planning.

“I am honored to work alongside a team of dedicated and compassionate student services professionals that empower our students and alumni to explore their purpose, connect with people and opportunities, and create a meaningful future,” Pelton said. “I have personally found a career of purpose that I enjoy and that challenges me, and I look forward to helping WWU students and alumni do the same.”

Pelton has a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and a master’s degree in business administration from Western Washington University. She has worked at Western for the past 6 years, most recently as the associate director of the Career Services Center, and served as the interim director of the center in the 2022-23 academic year.

Prior to that, she served in a fiscal specialist and special projects role in Career Services and as the assistant director of MBA Career Services in the College of Business and Economics. She has also been an adjunct faculty member in Western’s Management department, teaching a career preparation course.

Before coming to Western, Pelton was the business manager and co-owner of Tap Trail and the co-founder and manager of the Perch & Play Café.

She is a current member of the Society for Human Resource Management, the Mountain Pacific Association of Colleges & Employers, and the National Association of Colleges & Employers.