By Sofia Sanchez Salcedo
Reporter
Kristi Chapman, a communications major who hails from Monett, works in the Neosho campus as a recruiter and an advisor for Crowder College.
How long have you been working at Crowder?
In October, it will be three years!
What is your job title?
Recruiter and Admissions Advisor.
His would you describe your job?
Busy and constant multi-tasking! I am the primary recruiter; therefore, I attend many college fairs as well as high school visits. I also help advise students, helping them enroll in classes and decide which major to choose. I coordinate all campus tours and visits for individuals as well as large group tours!
What is the most exciting part of your job?
Meeting students! I love going to college fairs and meeting new students who come for tours! I also love being at work and working with our current students.
What is the hardest part of your job?
Going home! At the end of the day there are so many things I still want to do better to serve our students, so many after hours are needed to get everything done!
Where did you go to high school?
Monett High School – go Cubs! Fun fact – I was the mascot my senior year!
Do you feel that being from the area helps you relate to prospective students?
Many of our students commute, and especially with our nine other locations, I do feel like it helps that I am from this area. It’s nice to let students know that I grew up around here and Crowder has the same values as the area small towns. At Crowder College we are a family and look out for each other and want the best for each other!
Where did you go to college, and what did you study?
My first two years I went to Rockhurst University in Kansas City and then transferred to Missouri Southern where I received my bachelor’s in communications-public relations with a minor in psychology.
Does your degree help you to communicate and recruit students?
Absolutely! I loved my major and learning how to effectively communicate with people from the tone of your voice to your body language, eye contact and many other factors. Effective communication is key when recruiting students! I want them to feel the Crowder family welcome from their very first impression of me. You’ve only got one shot to make a great first impression! My communication major and psychology minor help me every day to be an effective and caring communicator.
What organization do you run at Crowder?
Student Ambassadors.
What does a Student Ambassador do?
Student Ambassadors are the first impression many prospective students and their families have of Crowder College. Student Ambassadors primarily give daily campus tours, but they also assist with staffing the Admissions office by performing many tasks there.
How does one become a Student Ambassador?
To become a Student Ambassador, there is an application process. We accept applications in the spring.
What is some advice you would give to prospective students?
TOUR! Absolutely pick your top three schools and tour the campuses! This is the best way to get a feel for the campus, faculty, staff, and student body. Campus tours give you an idea of where you will study, eat, sleep, hang out. Colleges are all so different – definitely go on the campus tours to experience the campus!
What advice would you give to incoming freshman?
Study and study! GPA is so very important for maintaining good academic and financial aid standing, as well as preparing you to stand out on resumes or apply for transfer admission and scholarships. On the flip side get involved! You have the rest of your life to work, so enjoy your college years. Take advantage of this short time you have to enjoy adventures, friends, campus life. Get involved and live it up (responsibly of course, academics are still the priority!).
What advice would you give to sophomores?
Watch for deadlines if you plan to transfer! Many, if not all, universities offer transfer scholarships, but there are deadlines for the scholarships as well as admission – so watch the deadlines! Also, don’t forget once you graduate from Crowder – come back and use your lifetime learner credit – up to three credit hours of tuition waived – this is a great way to transfer credits or take a class for fun!
Did you change your major in college?
Yes! I initially wanted to major in psychology and be a counselor, but decided communications was my passion!
What superpower would you like to have?
Fly! Then I could fly to the moon and see if it’s really made of cheese – just kidding! I do love bird watching, they look so peaceful and are free spirits enjoying the breeze and beautiful day. Flying would be great fun! Also, I could maybe fly to places and arrive on time!
When you get stressed, what is your mantra?
Well mantra… does a mouthful of chocolate count? Lots of chocolate! Really for a “mantra” if I am truly stressed, I go outside to fresh air and get away from the stress of my office and say a prayer for patience and guidance to get what I need to accomplished!
What is something no one would guess about you?
I have my motorcycle license and own a Honda Nighthawk 250.
What is your favorite band?
The Mark Chapman Band of course! Their style of music is modern country rock – I encourage everyone to check them out sometime soon, you won’t regret it! Truly I have always loved concerts – I have seen MANY concerts from Country: Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Taylor Swift (I’ve met her!); Pop: Britney Spears, One Republic, Nickleback, Ke$ha; 80s Rock: Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Bret Michaels (Poison), Bon Jovi (I actually won a video contest and won VIP passes and tickets!) and many, many others! I love live music!
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