Theresa Cruz Paul is the Interim Executive Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning and Director of the Center for Career and Professional Development Staff at Western Carolina University. Throughout her career, she has worked in career and professional development in higher education, assisting students with career counseling, resume and cover letter development, interviewing strategies, job and internship searching, and career planning. She previously worked at William Paterson University and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Western Carolina University. Dr. Cruz Paul also holds two Masters of Education degrees: one in High and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and one in Professional Counseling from William Paterson University, where she also earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.