Lisa Kuosmanen, M.S., M.Ed.

I hold a B.S. degree in Marketing from Pennsylvania State University, a M.S. degree in Sport Management from the University of Massachusetts, and a M.Ed. degree in Higher Education Leadership with an Advising Concentration from Mercer University.

In the early part of my career I worked in large-scale sports and event management. There I managed programs, people, and events for professional sports teams, athletic associations, non-profit organizations, and municipalities. Past clients and employers include the NFL, NBA, NCAA, WUSA, LPGA, USOC, Women’s Professional Softball League, Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, Georgia State Games Commission, Special Olympics Massachusetts, 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and the City of Decatur, GA.

Although I loved the fast-paced world of events and all of the places it took me, I eventually decided it was time to put down some roots. I transitioned into a marketing and human resources role, and spent ten years with an experiential lifestyle marketing agency (formerly Vivid Marketing and Team Epic, now psLIVE). Key clients included AT&T, PepsiCo, ESPN, ConAgra Foods, and FedEx. Our team founded the agency’s in-house casting department, which officially became the FUEL Professional Casting Network, LLC. My core responsibilities included the coordination of all recruiting, staffing, hiring and training activities for hundreds of marketing activations that required an average staff of 8,000 annually. I also oversaw the internship program, founded and operated annual Career Days that offer a behind-the-scenes look at the agency for college students that were interested in the experiential marketing industry, represented the agency at collegiate and conference speaking engagements, facilitated in-house professional training sessions, and provided overall leadership and support for agency-wide policies, initiatives, and client programming.

I have a true passion for the field of higher education, and have been very fortunate to work with students in a number of capacities both on and off campus. I served a four-year term as an adjunct instructor for the Mike Cottrell School of Business at the University of North Georgia, worked as a graduate student/teaching assistant and guest lecturer at the University of Massachusetts, and completed an internship with the Career Services Center at Kennesaw State University. I’ve connected with students extensively as an on-campus recruiter, and have served as a guest speaker for many student groups regarding career development and experiential marketing. As an Alumni Career Advisor for the University of Rhode Island Alumni Association, I supported the diverse career needs of alumni in all facets of career strategy. I am currently a Career Education Specialist for the University of Rhode Island Center for Career and Experiential Education, where I work with students in our STEM majors. In this role I conduct one-on-one advising sessions, create and present programs across campus, work closely with faculty and employers to connect our students to critical career-related information and resources, and teach career planning and internship seminar classes.

As an educator I have interacted with students in the college classroom, through online technology, and in the field as they combined academic concepts with real-life experience. My ideal form of teaching is hands-on and interactive, since I feel the most effective form of learning is experiential. You learn the most by doing something yourself. Nothing excites me more than watching students engage, process information, and then develop their own understanding. I’ve been lucky to see many students amaze themselves with the realization that they have empowered themselves with new knowledge that will help lead them down the path of personal, academic, and career success.

As an advisor to my students, recruits, co-workers, and mentees, I have learned that the two most important things you can do to help someone are to ask good questions and provide honest feedback. Encouragement is important, but it must be constructive and grounded in truth. Although a trusted advisor can provide great advice, it is up to the individual to accept responsibility for his or her own career journey. Self-awareness and accountability combined with drive and resources such as training, mentors, career services, and practical experience are some of the ingredients in the recipe for success.

As a recruiter I have interviewed and hired thousands of individuals. I know what it takes to prepare students and job seekers for today’s highly competitive job market. And no, there’s no magic formula that works the same for everyone. It comes down to doing your research, identifying your passions, acquiring skills and knowledge, accurately assessing your own abilities, determining how you can provide value, and then presenting it all in an effective and professional manner. The question you must ask yourself and then convey to an employer is, “How can I make that organization better?”

As a business leader I know challenges are inevitable, communication is key, and trust is essential. You rise and fall together, whether you realize it or not, and the relationships you build are critical. Resources can be scarce, so you need to work smart. It’s amazing how many commonalities there are in operating a multi-million dollar business and a small community-based nonprofit event. Results and relationships matter, and if you do things the right way it will pay dividends.