Meet the Team

Courtney Banks-Tatum serves as the Director for the Career Center. In this role, she provides vision and leadership for supporting multiple stakeholders through programs, policies, and partnerships. She is passionate about cultivating relationships internally and externally to provide students with opportunities to develop professional skills, integrate academic learning with work, and create a meaningful life.

Courtney has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Aquinas College and two master’s degrees (in Public Administration and Health Administration) from Grand Valley State University. Prior to her joining Calvin’s staff in 2016, Courtney worked as a Compliance and Community Development Specialist for Mercantile Bank and a Program Analyst for School-to-Career Progressions. Courtney is passionate about serving the community. She currently sits on the board for William C. Abney Academy and coaches basketball for a local high school.

LaShone Manuel serves as the Career Coach for students in the School of Education and School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS). She is a graduate of Western Michigan University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communication and a minor in Social Work and Psychology.

LaShone is passionate about getting to know others and assisting them in discovering their calling. Prior to coming to the Career Center, LaShone worked as the learning commons aide for Grand Rapids Christian High School during the school year and as the administrative assistant for the Entrada program at Calvin.

She is active in youth ministry alongside her husband. Perhaps you may know her as “Lay-Lay,” the youth pastor. Her hobbies include spending time with family and friends, singing and dancing and being surrounded by love and laughter.

Ryan serves as the Career Coach for students in the School of Business and School of Health. He has a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Idaho and holds an MBA from Whitworth University. Ryan has a background in sales in a variety of industries.  In his most recent position before coming to Calvin, Ryan led a team of students as a Grounds Supervisor at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. It was in this position that he realized his passion for serving students in higher education. Ryan is passionate about connecting people and helping students to discover their purpose in work and in life.

Outside of work, Ryan’s hobbies include spending time with his wife and two daughters, golfing, and exploring everything Michigan has to offer. Feel free to stop by and visit Ryan in the Career Center.

Abby serves as the Career Coach for graduate students and alumni. After graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor of arts in Religious Studies, Abby’s first job was working with undergraduate students as the Assistant Registrar at Trinity International University. In this position, she realized she loved working in higher education and partnering with students of all backgrounds to achieve their academic and personal goals. She earned her master of arts in Higher Education from the University of Denver while working full-time as the Assistant Director of Academic Affairs in the Office of Graduate Studies, supporting graduate students and graduate academic units.

Abby is thrilled to be a part of the Calvin community. She loves being outside with her family and helping her kids explore Michigan’s abundant natural beauty. She’s hiked a fourteener, ran a marathon, and loves to garden with her two young boys.

Vanessa Alvarez serves as the Employer Relations Manager in the Career Center. She is a graduate of Cornerstone University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management. She is excited to continue her career at Calvin University.

Vanessa is passionate about assisting and equipping others to discover their calling. She considers herself a bridge builder and networker to advance God’s kingdom. Prior to coming to the Calvin, Vanessa worked at World Renew, traveling as the Church & Community Engagement Representative.

She currently pastors at Amazing Church Michigan with her husband. Vanessa’s hobbies include spending time with family, singing, traveling, exploring new cultures through food and music, and sharpening the gifts God has given her.

David holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Wayne State University and a Master of Public Administration (Nonprofit Leadership & Management) degree from Grand Valley State University. Prior to joining the Career Center, he served as an analyst with the Tennessee Supreme Court and Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council.  Most recently, he has been a self-employed data consultant, continuing to work with government clients in the state of Tennessee, as well as other non-profit organizations. When not at Calvin or making Tableau dashboards, you can find David with his family in and around Eastown. Fun fact: he has driven a Lamborghini over 100mph (on a track).

Madeline serves as the Employer Relations Coordinator at the Career Center. She graduated from Calvin University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a concentration in writing.

As a student at Calvin, Madeline enjoyed singing in Capella and working at the Calvin Center for Faith & Writing, where she contributed to planning and promoting the biennial Festival of Faith & Writing.

Madeline enjoys attending Jazz in the Park during the summer, exploring state parks, visiting coffee shops, and getting to know new people. Stop by her office to say hello!

Phil Worfel serves as the Career Coach for students in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). He is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago, where he received an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts & Media. Prior to this he received his BBA in Marketing at Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business.

Phil has over 15 years of experience in teaching, academic advising and industry relations for higher education. He is passionate about helping students explore and navigate their professional goals, finding ways to align coursework, internships and networking opportunities to maximize their time in school and prepare them for their career post-graduation.

He is a lifelong student of film and media language and has an extensive personal library of films, books, comics, and video games. He enjoys creating immersive media for planetariums and VR/360° environments. He and his wife have called Grand Rapids home for most of their lives along with their cat Rocket who truly governs the household.