Oakland University Senior Director Receives Service Award

OU’s Senior Director of Career Services, Wayne Thibodeau, recently received the Don Hunt Service Award from the Michigan Career Educator and Employer Alliance (MCEEA).

The award recognizes a member of the Michigan Co-op and/or Internship community for significant contributions in promoting and sustaining the cooperative education and internship philosophy in Michigan.

In his nomination letter, Thibodeau is described as a “proactive leader who ensures staff and students are actively engaged in successful tracks that lead OU’s students to rewarding careers.”
“Wayne’s team has been known for years for their competence and poised tenacity in resolving any challenge set before them,” the letter continues. “They are reliable, adaptable, and excellent communicators. Their strong business acumen is a reflection of Wayne’s expert leadership and expertise in promoting and sustaining the cooperative education and internship philosophy in Michigan.”

As this year’s Don Hunt Service Award honoree, Thibodeau received a special plaque at the MCEEA Annual Conference on June 13. In 2009, he served as chair of the consolidation committee to merge two longstanding state organizations, the Michigan Council for Internships & Cooperative Education (MC-ICE) and Michigan Association of Colleges and Employers (MI-ACE). This was a crucial time for these organizations to create a more unified front to leverage resources, knowledge, and connections across the state to form MCEEA.

MCEEA’s mission is to promote and maximize career potential and the advancement of internship, cooperative education, and employment within the state of Michigan through collaborative relationships among employers, colleges and universities.