Professional and Career Development Team

Alexander Lowry

Executive Director, Career and Connection Institute (CCI)
Executive Director, Master of Science in Financial Analysis program
Professor in the Practice of Finance

Alexander Lowry brings an unusual “bilingual” perspective to the academic world, having spent 15 years in senior executive positions in international business and finance. Alexander also leads Gordon's Master's of Financial Analysis program.

Alexander joined Gordon from J.P. Morgan Chase. In four and a half years at the bank, he served in senior roles ranging from deputy to the chief operating officer of the U.S. Private Bank to his recent role helping lead the firm’s private foundation. Supporting the deputy director, Alexander led a wide range of management and administrative functions to help direct the firm's global philanthropic investments, giving and investing $240 million annually across 40 countries.  

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Pam Lazarakis

Director of Professional and Career Development

Pam Lazarakis has worked in Career Services since 1998. She is a Gordon Alumna and majored in Biblical and Theological Studies and completed the secondary education requirements in social studies. Her more recent studies have been in leadership and business ethics and she has special interests in the following career topics: the theology of work, best practices for facilitating student and alumni connections for career advancement, and helping others find effective strategies for presenting their credentials and experiences to employers in cover letters, resumes and interviews.

Micah Freer

Program Manager in CCI | Chief Program Manager in MSFA

Micah Freer is the Chief Program Manager for the Masters of Science in Financial Analysis program and Program Manager in the Career and Connection Institute. Micah is a Gordon alumna, having majored in biblical studies and political science while a student. He helps students make career achievements through conducting document reviews and career coaching and overseeing career preparation curriculum development and marketing.

Micah has a background in project and team management, program development, and interpersonal mentorship. He is passionate about equipping students with the skills they need to take their learning and transform it into industry leadership in service to Christ.

Carissa Church

Internship Coordinator and Developer

Carissa Church is the Internship Coordinator and Developer for the Career and Connection Institute. Carissa graduated in 2018 with a degree in Business Administration. Prior to re-joining the Gordon community as a staff member, she managed recruiting and human resources for a Boston-based footwear startup. In her time at this startup, she further developed the large summer internship program, which drove her passion for student professional experiences. This drew her back to Gordon to develop the professional experience programming and support within the Career and Connection Institute.

Carissa supports and guides students through every step in their career exploration journey, from vocation discernment, to interview preparation to connecting students with employers recruiting at Gordon. Carissa oversees all event planning and logistics, external relations, and on-campus department involvement. She is passionate about giving each student the resources to achieve a strong understanding of their calling and professional development experience throughout college to best prepare the students for Christian leadership in the future workplace.

Chris Carlson '87

Dean of Student Success

Chris is Dean of Student Success and has been in student development roles at Gordon for 29 years. Chris influences Student Success in many ways: from the First Year Experience onward into the following years, Academic Advising programs, the A. J. Gordon Scholars program and serves with the Kenneth L. Pike Honors program helping students develop individualized programs of study. Chris advises Deciding majors, and is a regular "Chief Imagineer" of student-oriented initiatives to promote student experience, success and thriving, both personally and professionally. He is an advocate for the whole student experience at Gordon, and for helping others strive to be at their best. He and his wife Sharon '88, are proud parents of two Gordon College graduates, and they live nearby in Hamilton.