For Greg Victory, career development isn't a four-year journey that ends with commencement. It's a lifelong relationship built on mentorship, networking, learning and opportunity, one that continues long after a student becomes an alumnus.
That philosophy is what drew Victory to the University of Miami and what shapes his vision as the new associate vice president for career services and leader of the Toppel Career Center. He sees the center not simply as a resource for students seeking internships or first jobs but as a hub that helps members of the Hurricane family navigate career transitions, expand professional networks and pursue new opportunities throughout their lives.
In many ways, the approach reflects one of the University's defining ideals: Once a Cane, always a Cane.
“One of our core missions is to prepare our students to be successful throughout the entirety of their professional lives,” said Joel H. Samuels, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Greg will be leading efforts to reimagine the entire career services ecosystem to serve all students at every stage of their career.”
Victory’s arrival comes at a time when the University is deepening its commitment to career readiness. He envisions a campuswide ecosystem where faculty and staff members, alumni and employers all play a role in student and alumni success. He believes the University's greatest strength is the Cane network itself, a global community that provides relationships, mentorship and opportunities long after graduation.
By harnessing those connections and integrating career development into every aspect of university life, he hopes to ensure that Hurricanes are prepared not only for their first job, but for a lifetime of growth, leadership and impact.
Victory provides insight into his commitment and vision.
What is your vision?
My vision is to embed career readiness into every corner of campus life: the classroom, research, internships, leadership and service. What makes Miami unique is the strength of the Cane network and our interdisciplinary spirit, which gives students the relationships, experiences and adaptability they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. We're not just preparing students for their first job—we're preparing them to think big, lead, innovate and create meaningful impact throughout their careers.
What opportunities do you see to strengthen student career outcomes?
One of the biggest opportunities to strengthen career outcomes is shifting to an embedded, not added, model—integrating career readiness into academics, cocurricular experiences and high-impact practices rather than treating it as a stand-alone program.
What inspired your passion for the field?
Career services is deeply rewarding work: the chance to listen to the dreams and aspirations of young and seasoned professionals, help them explore what's possible, build a compelling case for why they're capable and cheer them on. The University's role—faculty, staff and alumni together—is to help students hone their craft, build key competencies, test ideas through high-impact practices and then connect them to where those talents are needed in the world. That's exactly where the Cane network comes in.
What lessons have you learned?
Change is inevitable. Resilience, understanding your own worth, tapping into your resources and learning to pivot are practices I've relied on, and they're the same tools I try to teach students. Find the joy in what you do, and don't ignore what that joy is telling you. I tell students all the time: You don't have to have it all figured out. Explore, take risks. Now is the time.
How can we best prepare students for success?
A recent report from Strada (May 2026), “Entry-Level Hiring in the AI Era,” offered a striking finding: The hierarchy of essential skills has changed remarkably little in the early AI era. Critical thinking and communication still top the list, just as they did before AI. That's a powerful reminder that human essential skills remain the most valuable tools students can develop. Students should use their time at the University of Miami to build competencies that stay valuable across every field and role. Take advantage of everything the U has to offer and learn how to tell the story of what you've done and how it applies.
How do we create meaningful opportunities for students?
We need to start by identifying our gaps. Where do students want to work and study, and do we already have strong relationships with employers and organizations in those industries? Where we don't, we can lean on the Cane network to help us build them. Approaching this through a “One U” lens lets us engage with organizations in a way that benefits everyone.
What should students and alumni know about the Toppel Career Center?
Thanks to a significant investment from the University, we're expanding our capabilities in new and exciting ways. That means additional staff, new technologies, amplified existing programs and resources and expanded opportunities for students to connect with alumni and employers.
You previously served as Sooch, a mascot for the Syracuse Mets AAA baseball club—any tips for Sebastian?
Be proud that you bring joy to people and might be the brightest spot in someone's hard day. Never underestimate how much a smile or a laugh can mean. I still try to find a way to bring joy or laughter to someone every single day.
