Mills College claims that it is dedicated to dedicated to developing the strengths of every student, preparing them for lifelong intellectual, personal, and professional growth." The Office of Career Services plays an instrumental role in helping students succeed after graduating from Mills, but the College may make a decision that severely compromises the ability of the Office to efficiently and effectively serve Mills students. Career Counselor Neepa Parikh was hired on a contract basis in Fall 2008, but Mills' current hiring freeze would prevent her from remaining on staff after this year unless the College deems her position "mission critical." The Career Services Office currently comprises only three employees, one of whom works part-time, and to remove Ms. Parikh would greatly compromise the office's ability to cater to students' needs. Such a decision would remove a Mills employee from the College against her will, and would be detrimental to Career Services, its staff, and the students it serves. By signing this petition, I express my support for Neepa Parikh, and implore the College to act on its stated commitment to student success by allowing the Office of Career Services to remain equipped with the staff members it needs in order to do its job.