Employee Spotlight: Emerald Hames, Associate Director of Inclusive Career Design

University of Arkansas

Hames works with students to build their strategic social capital, positioning them for post-graduation career success.

Emerald Hames, a proud descendent of the Hupa/Yurok/Tse:ning-xwe peoples, serves as the associate director of inclusive career design at the Offices of Career Connections. Holding a bachelor's degree in anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a M.Ed. in higher education from the U of A, Hames brings a wealth of experience and a passion for empowering students to her role.

Hames began her career journey by spending a year in Scotland after graduation. Seeking a "southern adventure," she accepted a position as a data entry specialist in the Office of Admissions at the University of Arkansas. Over time, she transitioned to an assistant director of admissions, overseeing a broad region of Arkansas from Mariana to Texarkana, south of I-40.

Coming from a small community Hoopa Valley reservation, Hames has deep ancestral ties to the Hoopa Valley and the tribe's traditional lands. Her commitment to building relationships with Native communities led her to collaborate with the Cherokee Nation Foundation in Oklahoma, where she helped launch a summer camp for tribal citizens focused on college-prep workshops.

Hames further expanded her impact by empowering Native U of A students to revitalize the Native American Student Association and contributing to the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative. Transitioning from admissions to VISTA and youth programming, she later worked with the Department of Human Services, administering SNAP, EBT, and medical coverage for Arkansas.

Drawn by the supportive work culture, Hames joined the Offices of Career Connections, leaving behind a fulfilling role in state services. Her diverse background and commitment to students, particularly Indigenous, 360, ASAP, and first-generation students, align with her current role.

In her role, Hames has initiated and developed the "Career Launch" program, which provides students step-by-step guidance, motivation, and accountability to take agency for their career development growth. Collaborating with campus partners like the multicultural center and the 360 program, Hames has received positive feedback on the program's impact.

"I want students to understand that intentional actions are important," Hames said. "Students sometimes think that a mentor relationship should be spontaneous, like in a magical moment. Some relationships need intentionality. Career Launch guides students through the eight-step process of cultivating a list of organizations and reaching out to individuals. Every student who has gone through the program has reached out to at least five individuals and completed two career conversations with a professional."

Hames is passionate about helping students recognize their skills and the tools available to them. The program empowers students to gain confidence, ask questions, and build resilience through career conversations and intentional networking.

"Students forget how incredibly competent they are," Hames said. "They have so many tools and resources available to them, but sometimes they cave in on themselves, and think, 'Why would that person talk to me?' The program helps them gain confidence to ask questions. Students have shadowed professionals, had conversations with executives, and reached out to professors in graduate departments to see if they are a good fit for that program. Even if students hear 'no', they can build up a tolerance for rejection and resilience in a supportive community. "

Hames acknowledges the support received during her undergraduate years. She praises the university for its tuition benefits, which enabled her to pursue a master's degree in education while working. In her commitment to paying it forward, she emphasizes the importance of mentorship and practical guidance for students.

"I had a lot of help as an undergraduate," reflected Hames. "I walked into the Educational Opportunity Program as an undergraduate and looked so scared that a staff member asked, 'Honey, do you have work-study? You're going to start on Monday.' I don't think I could have completed my undergraduate without the advice and practical mentorship from the connections I built during that work-study. If I can pay it forward to at least one student, then I'll be satisfied."

Emerald Hames believes in the intentional cultivation of positive narratives, encouraging students to speak the stories they want to see. Her dedication to student success is evident in her work, whether by embedding "Career Launch" into courses or by developing new initiatives such as four-week, co-curricular cohorts to guide students toward their career goals.

For Hames, working with students is not just a profession but a source of inspiration, driven by their dynamism, engagement, and openness. As she reflects on her undergraduate experience, she aims to provide similar advice and mentorship to students, ensuring that they find support and practical guidance on their educational journey.

About the Employee Spotlight Series: The employee spotlight series highlights U of A faculty and staff members, the impact they have on campus and the community more broadly, and what makes the university an employer of choice for them individually. Each U of A employee plays a critical role in advancing the 150 Forward strategic priorities: advancing student success, achieving research excellence and enhancing the university's status as an employer of choice. If you have a recommendation of an employee to interview, contact Rachel Gerner at rgerner@uark.edu.