Meet the Team
Dr. Kaylee Bloom
Director
- Email address kbloom1@ju.edu
- Telephone number (904) 256-7681
About Dr. Kaylee Bloom
I’ve spent the last decade working in higher education, with a focus on helping students navigate their academic and career journeys with confidence and purpose. Before stepping into this role in Career Design & Exploration, I served as Director of the Student Enrichment Center at JU, where I led a team committed to supporting student persistence, academic success, and holistic well-being. My career path has also included roles in residence life, career advising, internship program management, workforce planning, and organizational development.
I’m passionate about creating meaningful career education experiences that meet students where they are, whether they’re exploring possibilities or preparing for life after graduation. I hold a Doctor of Educational Technology from Central Michigan University, where my research examined how AI-powered career tools influence student confidence, access, and workforce outcomes. My work sits at the intersection of AI, education, and social impact, with a focus on translating complex technologies into practical, human-centered solutions that prepare individuals and organizations for a rapidly evolving future of work.
Schedule a meeting on Starfish with me here!
Trey Morningstar, M.S.
Associate Director
- Email address gmornin@ju.edu
- Telephone number (904) 256-7758
About Trey Morningstar, M.S.
I’ve spent the last five years working in higher education at Jacksonville University in Enrollment Management. Before joining the Career Design and Exploration team, I was the Assistant Director of Admissions: Events and Engagement. In this role, I led on-campus recruitment events, managed daily visit operations, and co-supervised a team of up to 65 student ambassadors. Leading the ambassadors was the most rewarding part of that role because it gave me the opportunity to develop students personally and professionally while mentoring them in valuable workplace skills.
Before higher education, I built my career in luxury hospitality, serving in leadership and training roles with organizations such as The Ritz-Carlton after earning my Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from the University of Central Florida. Hospitality began my passion for developing others and is the backbone of my approach to student success.
I’m excited to begin this next chapter by connecting with employers, alumni, and campus
partners to prepare our students for their post-graduate lives. I look forward to
supporting our current students in reaching their personal and professional goals
by mentoring them and providing them with the confidence they need to be successful
post-graduation. As a JU Dolphin myself, a recent graduate of 2023 with my Master
of Science in Organizational Leadership, I am passionate about the JU experience.
JU has meant so much to me as a professional, and I’m ready to use my previous experience
to support students in achieving their career goals.
Schedule a meeting on Starfish with me here!
Bethany Hackerman
Graduate Assistant
- Email address bhacker@jacksonville.edu
- Telephone number (904) 256-7054
About Bethany Hackerman
I am a recent graduate of Towson University, where I obtained my B.S. in Psychology with minors in Family Science and Jewish Studies. Across campus, I worked for several departments, including Housing and Residence Life, the Writing Center, and Events and Conference Services. I was also a member and co-chair of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council for the College of Liberal Arts, and held leadership positions in the Chabad and Hillel at TU. Currently, I am a first-year master’s student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program here at JU. As I was able to get involved and support students at Towson, I want to do the same here at JU. In my role as a Career Design and Exploration Graduate Assistant, I hope to support students in ensuring they are on the right path to achieving their career goals.
As a future mental health counselor, I hope to support children with trauma, depression,
anxiety disorders, and family issues through the use of play therapy. This age group
specialization may expand as I have truly found a passion for working with college
students after working in higher education spaces for the past 4 years.
Schedule a meeting on Starfish with me here!
Niko Soares
Graduate Assistant
- Email address nsoares@jacksonville.edu
- Telephone number (904) 256-7054
About Niko Soares
I am a recent graduate from Jacksonville University, where I earned my B.S. in Marketing and Sports Business. Aside from that I was also a part of the Men's Rowing team as a walk on, a Presidential Student Ambassador, Student Government Senator, Peer Mentor, held multiple leadership roles in Greek life, and worked an internship part-time off campus. Currently, I am a graduate student working toward my Master of Business Administration, here at JU. I work part-time marketing for RF-SMART, but my favorite part of these past 4 years has been working with new students and helping them feel prepared to take on life in and out of university.
In my role as a Graduate Assistant for Career Design & Exploration, I hope to show
students that the possibilities are endless and support them in reaching their goals
and dreams. With my diverse background and experience within JU, I hope to bring multiple
perspectives to this role, and show students that anything they want is within reach.
I am passionate about showing students all the things they can achieve, and the support
they have from JU, and I can't wait to use my previous experience to help guide students
in the right path!
Schedule a meeting on Starfish with me here!