Kurt Roberts
Exec Director, Career Development & Career Coach - Accounting, MACC, MBA & MSDA
Education
BS, Accounting, Kansas State University
Graduate Certificate, Personal Financial Planning, Kansas State University
About Kurt
Kurt joined the K-State College of Business in July 2015 after 25 years in the accounting industry in audit, consulting, and recruiting roles. Kurt leads the Career Development team and also serves as a Career Coach for students in the accounting, MBA, and MSDA programs. Kurt is a member of the College of Business Executive Committee and also supports the K-State community as a co-advisor for the Alpha Kappa Psi student organization and Acacia Fraternity board member. Kurt and his wife, Christine, enjoy being back in the Manhattan area and have four children which includes two recent K-State graduates.
Matthew McClain
Career Coach - Finance
Education
BS, Economics, Kansas State University
About Matt
Matt served 8 years in the insurance industry, including 4 in management, before joining K-State in the Spring of 2023. His passion for helping others with professional development in the corporate world inspired him to come back and do the same at his alma mater. Matt is committed to equipping finance students with the skills they need to excel by enhancing their resumes and soft skills through personalized training, resume building, and interview coaching. Matt serves as a chair for the Student Finance Association and works closely with the Finance Scholars program. Matt enjoys spending time with his wife, Kelly, also a KSU grad, and two sons, Archer and Dax, watching basketball games and fishing
Mallory Carpenter
Career Coach - ENTRP, HR, MIS, Org Management & OSCM
Education
BBA, Entrepreneurship and Venture Management, The University of Oklahoma
About Mallory
Mallory began working for the College of Business in October 2023. Prior to joining the team, she worked in the recruiting, onboarding, and employee experience space for almost three years in Denver, Colorado. Along with being a career coach, Mallory oversees the Executive Mentor Program. She has loved becoming a true K-State fan alongside her husband and one year-old daughter. Mallory enjoys going to college sporting events, walking with her family around City Park, and shopping downtown with her friends. She is passionate about creating an environment in which every student knows they belong and are equipped to navigate and thrive in their future career.
Alysha Daley
Career Coach - Marketing & Sales
Education
BA, International Studies, University of Nebraska-Kearney
MS, College Student Personnel, Arkansas Tech University
MBA, Human Resources, Pittsburg State University
About Alysha
Alysha joined the College of Business in February 2024 after working for a recruitment firm for two years. Prior to that, she worked in higher education for six years where she developed a passion for helping students grow and develop. In addition to being on the Career Development team, Alysha serves on the Student & Employee Engagement Committee. In her free time, Alysha enjoys being active by running and exploring the outdoors with her family. She loves traveling, reading, and spending quality time with friends.
Laura Rook
Program Manager/Instructor
Education
BS, Business Administration, Kansas State University
Currently pursuing MBA, Kansas State University
About Laura
Laura returned to “Manhappiness” to join the College of Business as the Career Accelerator Program Manager and Instructor in 2022. Prior to that, Laura developed a unique blend of industry expertise, creativity, and passion for student development by leading the Technology and Operations Intern program at Travelers Insurance. Laura also serves as the Faculty Advisor for Alpha Kappa Psi. Known for her creativity and sense of humor, Laura has led meetings in a potato costume and once rented a llama for a team holiday card. She brings this same energy to everything she does, believing joy and laughter are essential to success.
Cara Richardson
Event Coordinator
Education
BS, Apparel & Textile Marketing, Kansas State University
About Cara
Cara joined the College of Business as the Career Development Event Coordinator in September 2021, bringing extensive experience in event planning and management. Prior to this role, she spent four years as a Conference Meeting Planner with the Conference Management Services unit at K-State Global Campus. Before that, she dedicated 16.5 years as the Special Events Director for the K-State College of Human Ecology, where she refined her expertise in organizing a wide range of collegiate events, with a strong focus on philanthropy and stewardship initiatives. In addition to her role on the Career Development team, Cara actively contributes to the university community by serving on the President’s Committee for Gender Equity, the All-University Career Fair Committee, the All-University Open House Committee, and the College of Business Recognition & Awards Committee. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and gardening. She has a passion for traveling, animals – especially cats – and shopping.
Wendy Pfeifer
Director of Corporate Engagement
Education
BS, Business Administration, Kansas State University
Currently pursuing MS, Adult Learning and Leadership, Kansas State University
About Wendy
Wendy joined the College of Business in August 2016 as a Career Coach in the Student Success Center. In 2022, Pfeifer was named the Director of Corporate Engagement for the college. Prior to that, she worked in the human resources field for 10 years, all with companies in the Manhattan community. In her current role, Wendy works with companies to develop mutually beneficial goals and identify engagement opportunities to support their recruitment of K-State students/graduates and other key objectives. In her free time, Wendy and her husband, Troy, follow their three boys around to all of their sporting events. They reside in Wamego, KS, and love being a part of the Wamego community where she serves on several committees and volunteers. When she isn’t chasing kids around, Wendy loves to spend quality time with her friends and enjoys going to K-State sporting events and concerts.