In Mid-June, we were delighted to welcome Kinsey Tekiele, as our new Coordinator for Admissions and Student Engagement. Below, Kinsey offers insight into her role at MSP and a little about herself. Welcome, Kinsey!
Give us a snapshot of your professional/academic background.
I recently graduated with a MA in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education & Student Affairs from Western Michigan University (WMU). While completing my degree, I worked as a graduate assistant for the Office of Admissions and focused my work heavily on leadership development among students. I also received my undergraduate degree from WMU and held positions as a tour guide, office manager of a Student Ambassador Program, and an orientation leader in the Office of Student Transitions. I realized through these positions that my true passion lies in working with students and watching them grow and thrive. I hope to combine my passion for health and wellness with student affairs, and I cannot wait to work with prospective and current MSP students!
Describe your role at MSP.
I’ll be serving as the Coordinator for Admissions and Student Engagement at MSP. In my role, I am responsible for all aspects of the admissions process including coordinating recruitment efforts, processing applications, facilitating prospective student interviews, and more. I am also responsible for all aspects of student engagement, such as planning and implementing programming for students. I hope to act as a support system for students and bring meaningful and fun programming to MSP!
What attracted you to working at MSP?
I was attracted to MSP for so many reasons! I loved the idea of working for a small institution where I have the ability to make real connections with students, faculty, and staff and play a large role in advocating for the school. I am extremely passionate about access to mental health care and truly believe in the purpose, mission, and vision of MSP. I was immediately drawn to the inclusive and humanistic lens that MSP operates in and wanted to work for a school that holds similar values to my own.
Outside of what MSP has to offer, I have a background working in admissions at WMU and benefited greatly from student programming that was offered while I was in school, and I was super excited for an opportunity to combine my admissions knowledge with my passion for student engagement and success. Every single person I have encountered at MSP has been extremely kind, and welcoming and I am excited to begin my career in this environment.
What are you looking forward to most in this position?
I’m really looking forward to being able to watch each students’ journey from start to finish! I’ll be working closely with students from the moment they express interest in MSP to the time they graduate, and I’m excited to get to know students personally and watch their growth throughout their time here.
What is one thing that people might be surprised to know about you?
I love adventure and doing things I’ve never done before. I was on the skydive team at WMU during undergrad and have completed multiple jumps by myself. I was working toward gaining my A-license in skydiving for awhile and I hope to pick it back up someday! I also love anything outdoors including hiking, swimming, and just exploring nature. I’m really passionate about sustainability and am constantly trying to find new things I can do to better support my environment.
