As the employer relations specialist, he engages with the community to ensure that students can make their career dreams come true.

"I know that 75-80% of Fresno State students will stay in the Valley and I need to make sure that Valley employers know about the services the Career Development Center offers," he said. "Above all, it’s about maintaining positive relationships with the community."

Stephen has worked at Fresno State since October of 2012.

"I began working part-time for a program called WayFinders, which provides educational, vocational and life skills opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities," he said.

As a vocational specialist for WayFinders, it was his job to go out into the community and find these students vocational training opportunities.

Then in October of 2013, he began a full-time position with the Career Development Center, which was called Career Services at the time.

A Fresno State alum, he has a B.S. in Business Administration with an option in Management.

He was one of those students who did not know what he wanted to do when he grew up.

"Before I graduated from Fresno State, I went to a couple career fairs, and before I walked across the stage at graduation, I had five job offers," he said.

Finding his own career path took a little time. Stephen worked at a startup company and then for Fresno Unified before he began working for a program called Workforce Connection as a job readiness specialist.

"I was working with young adults to help get them prepared for the work world," he said. "This is where I fell in love with helping people understand their skills and interests and how those translate into career paths."

In the Career Development Center, he connects employers in and out of the Central Valley with Fresno State students and alumni.

"I love connecting people," he said. "I love hearing about our students getting great job offers. I love helping people find their passion."

Each year, the Career Development Center hosts at least four career and internship fairs which bring over 300 companies to campus.

"These are small businesses, local businesses, government organizations, non-profits and Fortune 500 companies," he said. "We get a lot of repeat organizations, but we also get a lot of new organizations each year as well."

Stephen wears a lot of hats in the Career Development Center. He coordinates the career and internship fairs; meets with employers to discuss engagement opportunities for their organization; manages the Fresno State job board, HireFresnoState; and provides career advising services to Fresno State students and alumni.

He is also liaison to the Craig School of Business, which means he offers advising specifically to that student population.

It's a natural fit for him, because he will be graduating this year with an M.B.A. from the Craig School of Business.

"Just going back to school and being willing to challenge myself is a huge accomplishment for me," he said. "Sometimes the hardest step is the first step. Well, I took that first step and haven’t looked back since, and I’m so glad that I did."

Stephen is a member of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce. Also, he has been working with African American professionals from the community to help develop a pipeline of professionals who want to be mentors to Fresno State students.

He is currently working on a hiring committee at Fresno State.

When not at Fresno State, he loves to travel.

"I have a personal goal to see all Seven Wonders of the World before I die," he said. "I’ve seen one so far and will see a second wonder this October. Plus, I love taking little road trips."

He's a huge football fan who loves the Raiders, especially now that they have Derek Carr. He has plans to see the Raiders play against the Dallas Cowboys this December.