Lone Star College-Tomball
Career and Transfer Connections Conference

April 1, 2026 | 10am-3pm
Beckendorf Conference Center

Nicki Joiner, M.A.
Keynote Speaker

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The Career and Transfer Connections Conference is designed to prepare students for their next step after Lone Star College—whether that's entering the workforce or transferring to a university. Through sessions on personal branding, essential skills, and transfer readiness, students will gain the tools and knowledge to confidently navigate their future and unlock their next stage.

Agenda

Career and Transfer Connections Conference Presenters and Session Details 

Welcome
Dr. Jackie C. Thomas, Jr., wants to live in a world where everyone has access to a quality education.  He currently serves as Vice President of Student Success at Lone Star College-Tomball, where he provides senior-level leadership to the Division of Student Success. Dr. Thomas has over nineteen years of progressively responsible higher education leadership experience during which he has established himself as a visionary and innovative leader with a proven ability to set, define, and accomplish the goals he sets for himself, a team, and an organization. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved with coaching and mentoring leaders, building high-performing teams, and strengthening communities. When he’s not working, you can find him in your local thrift store looking for suits, double-breasted blazers, and Converse Chuck Taylors or at a festival or concert listening to good music. Out of all his accomplishments, there are three things he is most proud of: being Melanie’s husband, Mia and Jackson’s Dad, and Robbin and Jackie’s Son.

Opening and Closing Remarks
Chinda Acosta serves as the Acting Manager of Student Success at LSC-Tomball, where she leads the Career and Transfer Connections center, oversees the retention scholarship, and supports the graduation efforts. She brings 15 years of higher education experience in various areas of student services such as academic advising, outreach, admissions, programming, and more. Chinda ensures students are connected to meaningful career pathways, transfer opportunities, and completion resources that advance their academic and professional goals. She is a mom of three beautiful children, enjoys outdoor adventures, and loves trying new foods. 

Emcee
Teresa “Terri” Garcia, the Level Up Career and Transfer Conference host, is a higher education leader with 15 years of experience advancing strategic initiatives that drive institutional effectiveness and student success. She currently serves as the Interim Director of Student Experience and Transitions at Lone Star College–Tomball, overseeing the Office of Student Life and Career and Transfer Connections to strengthen student engagement, belonging, and completion outcomes. In addition to her leadership role, Terri manages the Title III Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) Grant, leading initiatives focused on innovation, technology, and professional development. She brings expertise in organizational development, budget strategy, fiscal accountability, and cross-functional leadership, and is passionate about building collaborative, student-centered solutions that create lasting impact. Outside of her professional work, her favorite role is being a wife and proud girl mom.

Keynote Speaker
What Actually Makes You Stand Out: Advice from a Former Fortune 100 Recruiter
We’ve all been told that the way to get ahead is to do more. More activities, more leadership roles, more experiences. But more is not always better. Better is better. In this high-energy keynote, a former Fortune 100 recruiter breaks down what actually separates candidates who get noticed from those who get overlooked. Through real stories, behind-the-scenes insight, and practical strategies, attendees will learn the two things that matter most in today’s job market: how to measure their impact and how to build trust. Whether your next step is a four-year college, a job, the military, or something else entirely, this session will reframe how you think about your experiences and show you how to position yourself in a way that gets the attention of the right people.

Nicki Joiner is an engaging and impactful speaker who equips students with the tools to confidently navigate their career paths. With a background in corporate recruiting and a Master’s degree in Student Affairs, she brings a unique blend of industry insight and higher education expertise to every talk. Nicki’s sessions cover résumé building, job search strategy, networking, and LinkedIn optimization, offering students practical skills they can apply immediately. Having spoken at organizations like NASA, Girls Inc., and Meeting Professionals International, as well as at over sixty colleges and universities across North America, Nicki’s presentations resonate with diverse student audiences. Known for her relatable style and hands-on approach, she simplifies complex career topics, empowering students to turn their aspirations into achievable goals. Nicki holds dual degrees and additional certifications, leveraging her award-winning entrepreneurial background to create powerful learning experiences. She’s been described as bold, knowledgeable, and inspiring, with a rare ability to connect with her audience. In her downtime, Nicki enjoys dancing, volunteering, and connecting with her community—a constant reminder of the mentors and supporters who have shaped her journey as a speaker and career expert.

Breakout Sessions

From Noob to Pro…How to “Level-UP” your Transfer game! 
Are you planning to transfer to a university after Lone Star College? Does the process sound a little scary yet exciting at the same time? We are here to help! We will explore practical and effective steps to help you achieve your academic transfer goals. Now let’s crush this!

Leah Stoddard is a Transfer Advisor in the ConnectUP Career & Transfer Services Office at Lone Star College–University Park, where she has supported student success since 2019. She holds a Master of Arts in College Student Development from St. Edward’s University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Austin College.  With over a decade of experience in academic advising at institutions including the University of Houston–Downtown, UT Austin, UT San Antonio, and Palo Alto College, Leah is passionate about supporting students to navigate their educational pathways and helping students transfer to continue their journey through higher education.

Stephanie Smith is a Transfer Advisor in the ConnectUP Career and Transfer office at Lone Star College-University Park. Stephanie has worked for LSC for over 20 years. She began as an adjunct instructor and then transitioned to advising. Stephanie genuinely cares for the students' personal and academic well-being and is honored to be a part of their journey. She is involved in her church and community, and loves spending time with her family and fur babies.

Define Yourself Before Others Do: An Introduction to Personal Branding
Your personal brand already exists — the question is whether you're the one shaping it. In this session, we'll dig into what makes up a personal brand, how it influences your career and transfer opportunities, and what steps you can take to build a brand that's authentically and intentionally yours.

Christi Biggers has served Lone Star College Tomball as an Academic Advisor for the past 4 years but has worked for the Lone Star system for 15 years. A survivor of academic suspension, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Radio, TV, & Film from the University of North Texas and a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from Sam Houston State University. She is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She describes her brand and professionally authentic. 

What Employers Are Actually Looking For: 4 Skills That Set You Apart
Nicki Joiner
In this session, we’re breaking down the four skills employers quietly screen for in every application, interview, and interaction: attention to detail, data literacy, audience awareness, and deductive reasoning. Through the lens of a former Fortune 100 recruiter, you'll learn how these skills show up in real hiring decisions and why they matter at every stage of the application process. This isn’t theory. Attendees will leave with clear, practical ways to start building these skills or supporting students in building these skills to position them as the candidate employers don't have to think twice about. 

Lunch and Learn Panel

Dr. Ken Odom is a graduate of the A. B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, holds an MBA from the University of Houston System, and completed his doctoral work in Faulkner University’s Great Books Honors Program. He is a mentor in the Tulane University Innovation Network, a past president of Tomball ISD Board of Trustees, a published author, and a public speaker. Prior to WASTELINQ, Ken served Effective Environmental as Chief Financial Officer after a career that included leadership positions in finance and strategy at Hewlett-Packard and in private equity. He has extensive experience in financial management and strategic analysis. Ken is a Certified Management Accountant, Certified in Financial Management, and Certified in Strategic and Competitive Analysis. He is passionate about education and community involvement, evident in his leadership roles both in education and the business world. He writes about Durable Skills and the intersection of business, education, and philosophy at oikonomos.substack.com.

Jeffrey Salgado is the Graduate Engineer of the City of Tomball. He graduated from Rice University in 2023 in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Structural Engineering. He has experience in regulatory compliance, permitting, and electrical infrastructure design. He is currently an engineer-in-training and a Certified Floodplain Manager and will be pursuing engineering licensure very soon.

Michaela Dotson graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, minoring in Special Education.  In 2014, she received her Master of Education in School Counseling from the University of St. Thomas. She began my employment with Tomball ISD in 2013. Her personal philosophy on education is that all students are capable of being successful. Her job is to determine how to best support the journey to this success.

Dr. Cristina Montalban-Dimafiles is an expert nurse clinician, charge nurse, rapid responder, and nurse leader who has taken on roles of ICU administrator, manager, and nurse director with oversight of multiple critical care units. A cardiac certified nurse with 20+ years in the fields of cardiovascular, medical, surgical, and neurological ICU, progressive level care, rapid response, and central telemetry. She is a multi-awarded nurse and has been named one of the 2024 Houston Top 15 Nurses. She has received the Silver Nurse Medalist for Good Samaritan Foundation, Nurse Innovation and Clinician Award, Pandemic Nurse Leader Hero, Ansell Award, and many more. A member of the Honor Nursing Society Sigma Theta Tau, Texas Nurse Honor Guard, she is a transformational leader, outside-the-box thinker, who challenges the status quo and maintains a growth mindset. She has presented locally, nationally, and internationally, sharing quality improvement initiatives and evidence-based practices. In her leisure time, she loves to travel on road trips, ski 3 times a year, play the drums and piano, and be outdoors. She is also a proud UH Coogs mom.

Panel Moderator, Gilbert Cantu, is a Career Advisor for LSC-Tomball Career and Transfer Connections. He graduated from Texas State University-San Marcos and has years of experience as a student support professional. He has experience in youth development, college access, and career advising. He has worked for Lone Star College for four years. In his current role working for Career and Transfer Connections, he helps CTC provide 1:1 advising on resumes and interviews, conducts presentations and workshops, and helps with career exploration. His primary professional goal is to help young people grow and thrive in various aspects of their lives.

Interactive Workshop
The Impact of Essential Skills
Have you sat through a session on soft/durable/essential skills and thought, "Why do I need to know about this ?" Many of us have heard of essential skills such as communication, time management, or emotional regulation, but few of us truly understand how deeply it shapes our personal life, career, or academic journey. In this interactive workshop, you will hear real-life stories of how essential skills have made a direct impact, then put your own instincts to the test. Through fun, casual, and guided improv sketches, you’ll step in situations to apply these skills for a chance to win a prize! Walk away with a fresh perspective on why essential skills matter and the motivation to start practicing them every day. 

Nadeem Amoush is an active undergraduate international student at Lone Star College with a major in nursing. He is a member of the Honors College at LSC-Tomball as a presidential scholar with a background as an exchange student alumnus. He currently works as a Timberwolf Leader with Career & Transfer Connections and is implementing his Timberwolf Leader project "Impact of Essential Skills" within the Career and Transfer conference. He is also a profound lover of Heirloom Cafe sandwiches.

Sponsored by the Lone Star College-Tomball Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) Title III Grant Initiative.