Eastern Michigan Athletics
SASS Launches Career Summit Series With Student-Athlete Development Night
12/22/2025 12:08:00 PM | General, SASS
Former EMU athletes return to campus to guide career preparation at George Gervin GameAbove Center
Video Recap.
YPSILANTI, Mich. - SASS hosted the first event of its 2025-26 Career Summit Series on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
Grace Rochester and Jaclyn Klimczak organized the career development night for Eastern Michigan student-athletes. The event featured interactive breakout sessions focused on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, elevator pitches, and the Handshake employment platform.
Former Eastern Michigan student-athletes participated in a panel discussion and shared insights on the transition from college athletics to full-time careers.
The panel included DJ Ballard, class of 2021 and 2024, who works in youth development and engagement for the Detroit Pistons. Tavelyn James, class of 2012 and a recent E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, serves as a practice administrator at Village Medical. Keith Page, class of 2009, works as an electrical engineer for Continental Automotive Systems. Jenny Scherer, class of 2010, is the director of event and guest services for Michigan Athletics.
April Calkovsky and Rebecca Gatewood from the University Advising and Career Development Center assisted with resume instruction. Julia Annarino from Enterprise led sessions on elevator pitches. Ballard also hosted a small-group session focused on LinkedIn. Rochester and Klimczak managed the Handshake station.
The event drew strong attendance. SASS plans to continue the Career Summit Series with additional events throughout the year.
