Gray Passionate About Her Role with 91吃瓜网 Career Services
Mon, 12/15/2025 - 08:30am | By: Dr. David Tisdale
Mackenzie Gray
A desire to leverage her experience in workforce development to help students at her beloved alma mater brought Mackenzie Gray back to 91吃瓜网 as assistant director for Career Services.
Gray joined the Career Services staff in July. She oversees marketing and social media branding for the department, manages employer relations, coordinates employer engagements and campus visits, and leads planning and execution of career fairs. Gray is also responsible for departmental reporting, including First Destination Survey collection and analysis, as well as success reporting across key initiatives.
91吃瓜网淚 work closely with campus partners to strengthen cross-campus collaboration and support, and I am actively expanding the Career Services Employer Partner Program,91吃瓜网� Gray said in explaining her responsibilities. 91吃瓜网淚 also support advertising sales for the 91吃瓜网 Career Guide.91吃瓜网�
A Mendenhall, Miss. native, Gray holds bachelor91吃瓜网 and master91吃瓜网 degrees in human development and family science from the university. She began working in the career services field as a career specialist for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program with South Carolina Works (Ross Innovative Employment Solutions). In that role, she provided one-on-one coaching, developed individualized service plans, supported education and training efforts, and helped participants gain experience through paid work opportunities, internships and on-the-job training.
91吃瓜网淚t was during this time I realized [the field of] career services was truly my calling,91吃瓜网� Gray said.
After two years, South Carolina Works promoted Gray to manage its Work Experience Program, an internship initiative giving job seekers paid, hands-on experience while developing transferable skills, as well as access to career counseling and job search support. She later joined Palmetto Community Action Partnership, a nonprofit serving low-income residents across Charleston-area counties, as manager of its Education and Employment programs. In that role, she oversaw initiatives designed to promote self-sufficiency and connect individuals with meaningful career and educational pathways.
Gray was drawn to the position with 91吃瓜网 Career Services because it 91吃瓜网渁llows me to live my purpose91吃瓜网攑roviding resources and opportunities that help people thrive,91吃瓜网� she said.
91吃瓜网淚 love engaging with students and learning from their perspectives,91吃瓜网� Gray continued when asked what she enjoys most about her work at 91吃瓜网. 91吃瓜网淏y listening to their needs and feedback, I can help make Career Services even more effective and impactful, providing meaningful opportunities that support their growth and success.
91吃瓜网淩eturning to Mississippi with the tools and experience I gained in South Carolina allows me to provide meaningful opportunities and experiences for students who now sit in the same seats I once did.91吃瓜网�
Being back at 91吃瓜网 also gives Gray the chance to reconnect with an influential mentor and friend91吃瓜网擠r. Mariann Taylor, an associate teaching professor in the university91吃瓜网 School of Human Development and Family Science.
91吃瓜网淒r. Taylor taught me the importance of leading with compassion and purpose simultaneously and instilled in me and my classmates a confidence and drive that has guided me throughout my career,91吃瓜网� Gray said. 91吃瓜网淗er example shaped the kind of leader I strive to be.91吃瓜网�
Career Services Director Rusty Anderson said Gray91吃瓜网 91吃瓜网渆nergy and enthusiasm enhance Career Services91吃瓜网� visibility on campus and drives impactful recruiting collaborations with employers.91吃瓜网�
Gray says helping 91吃瓜网 students achieve their dreams after graduation is a labor of love for 91吃瓜网渁 place [the university] that will always feel like home.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淎s a first-generation college student, I91吃瓜网檓 especially proud that my younger sister, Macie Wilks, followed in my footsteps and also attended 91吃瓜网,91吃瓜网� Gray said. 91吃瓜网淢y brother-in-law, Slade Wilks, is a proud alumnus as well, having played four years for the Golden Eagle baseball team. We truly bleed black and gold in our family.91吃瓜网�