Bemidji State Names Alumna to Lead Career Advancement Efforts

Bemidji State University appointed Jaimee Duffy as director of Career Advancement with the BSU Alumni and Foundation, and she began the role on Dec. 3. Duffy brings 15 years of experience in career development, workforce partnerships and strategic leadership to a position that will guide campus wide efforts to connect students with employers and prepare graduates for local and regional careers.

As director of Career Advancement, Duffy will provide strategic leadership for career development efforts across the university, with an emphasis on supporting students as they explore career pathways and on building employer relationships that lead to internships, experiential learning and job placements. The position is central to advancing BSU s Discover3 initiative by aligning academic programming, employer engagement and alumni partnerships to strengthen career readiness across campus.

"I am absolutely thrilled to lead BSU into the new era of Career Advancement," Duffy said. "My focus will be building a dynamic ecosystem that actively connects students with industry from day one, ignites alumni engagement through mentorship, and fuels the success of our entire university community."

Before returning to BSU, Duffy served as director of marketing and outreach for the Minnesota State Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Bemidji. There she led statewide career pathway initiatives, developed annual strategic and work plans, managed staff and student interns, and expanded employer and philanthropic partnerships. Her work focused on strengthening workforce alignment and increasing experiential learning opportunities that connect education to employer needs.

Career Advancement was incorporated into the Alumni and Foundation office in May 2024 to broaden support for students, alumni, employers and the community. The institutional change aims to provide continuous career support from the student years through alumni life, potentially improving retention of graduates in the local workforce and enhancing employer access to talent.

For students, employers and community partners seeking direct contact, Duffy can be reached at jaimee.duffy@bemidjistate.edu or 218-755-2206. Her appointment represents a strategic step for BSU and for Beltrami County as local leaders seek coordinated approaches to workforce development and community economic stability.