Seniors Who Have Made Their Mark
by Grace McDowell '17
Krystin Major '16
- Business Administration Major
- Women’s Lacrosse Team Captain: (2012-2016)
- All Academic Honors under GLIAC Conference: (2015)
- Secretary and President of Student Athletic Advisory Committee: (2014-2016)
- Student Government Association Senator: (2014-2015)
- Sigma Sigma Sigma Member, Positivity Chair, Secretary: (2012-2016)
- Organized The Chili Cook Off at McKendree University to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project: (2013-2014)
- Phi Beta Lambda Business Fraternity Member: (2014-2016)
- Voted Member of Senior Class Gift Committee: (2015-2016)
- Student Ambassador: (2012-2014)
Throughout her time as a student at McKendree, Krystin has been able to balance three
internships. The first being an event planner for a country club in Delaware named
Bear Trap Dunes. She had the opportunity to work golf tournaments, fundraisers, and
weddings. During her senior year alone, she has held two internships and is currently
interning at Cosmopolitan Events, an event planning service for weddings and other
celebrations, in St. Louis. Krystin is able to be a part of the bride’s big day and
helps to ensure that their wedding reception runs smoothly. She says, “This internship
has really shown me how much I want to get into event planning and management as my
dream job!” She is also interning for Sarah Klucker, the Director of Leadership and
Student Development in the Student Affairs Office. Under this internship, Krystin
assisted in planning the Leadership Banquet and other related events.
After graduating from McKendree, Krystin will continue her internship with Cosmopolitan
Events throughout the summer and hopes to make connections through the company that
will help her secure a full time position. She has applied for jobs across the country
including states such as Colorado, California, Texas, and North Carolina. While keeping
her options open, She is also considering continuing her master’s degree at McKendree.
Krystin credits the quality of her experience at McKendree to helping her become more
personable and able to work well with others.
“McKendree was the best decision I have ever made and I am truly grateful for the sport of lacrosse for bringing me half way across the country and introducing me to these people and this institution.”
Dakota Reed '16
- Residence Life Resident Assistant
- Hettenhausen Center for the Arts Resident Lighting Designer
- McK Goes Green Living Learning Community Advisor
- Student Coordinator for “It’s on US!” Campaign
- Spectrum Alliance President and Vice President
- Honors Program Member
- Campus Ministries Core Team Member
During the summer of 2014, Dakota was given an internship opportunity with the McKendree
University Office of Residence Life. Here, he served on the housing collateral working
to match first-year students with their new roommates and residence halls. He also
helped co-coordinate a professional development conference for the College Housing
Association of the St. Louis area. On top of that, Dakota worked to plan student-staff
training for new Residence Assistants for the fall of 2014. In the summer of 2015,
Dakota interned as the Assistant Director of Conference Services at Denison University
in Granville, Ohio, under the ACUHO-I (Association of College and University Housing
Officers- International) internship program. He was the primary supervisor for nine
student-staff members, the main point of contact for crisis management and hospitality
for on-campus groups, and a central organizer for daily activities on the campus.
Dakota will be interning at Denison University again this summer.
After graduation, Dakota hopes to work as a Resident Director at a college or university
with the goal of eventually becoming a dean of students. He is currently searching
through the OPE (Oshkosh Placement Exchange) for professional positions in Student
Affairs at Universities across the United States.
McKendree has gone above and beyond in helping Dakota achieve the skills he needs
to enter his future career. McKendree has allowed him to conduct two research studies
involving Student Affairs employees and the role they play in student engagement.
Additionally, McKendree has encouraged and supported Dakota in taking upper-level
Master’s courses that have exposed him to more material than an undergraduate student
typically has access to.
“I’m graduating from McKendree with confidence in what I know and the experiences to support my mindset.”
Erin Genteman '16
- Education Major
- Treasurer, Vice President, and President of Student- Illinois Educators Association: (2014-2016)
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes Officer: (2012-2015)
- Education Director, Music Chair, Parliamentarian, Newsletter Chair, Historian, and Awards Chair of Sigma Sigma Sigma: (2012-2016)
- New Student Orientation Leader/Peer Mentor: (2013-2015)
- Advanced Leaders Program: (2013-2015)
Being an education major, Erin has had to complete several student teaching and observation
hours. She has observed in classrooms at Albers Elementary, Illini Elementary, and
Roosevelt Elementary. During her observation at Roosevelt, Erin helped teach class
periods, attended parent-teacher conferences, and assisted the teacher with student
assessments.
Currently, Erin is student teaching in a 3rd grade classroom at Shiloh Elementary
School in Shiloh, IL. She has been able to assist in planning weekly curriculum, create
assessments to monitor students' learning, volunteer at an after-school Mad Science
program, judge science fair entries at the middle school, and start full-day teaching.
After graduating from McKendree Erin hopes to obtain a job in an elementary or middle
school, preferably in or around the St. Louis area. She looks forward to spending
her days teaching young children.
Entering the education program, Erin realized the heavy responsibility of being fully in charge of a classroom of
young minds. She has been able to feel comfortable and confident in her teaching abilities
thanks to the support of her professors. McKendree has prepared her to teach diverse
students with a range of needs and interests, and take on every challenge with enthusiasm.
“I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful this school's Education Department is. This program has reminded me to always be caring, encouraged me to continually seek knowledge, and prepared me for the journey of lifelong learning. Most importantly, my time here has taught me to believe in myself and to ‘make my mark’ on any student who walks into my classroom.”
Deshawnta Houston '16
- Health and Wellness Major
- BSO (Black Student Organization) Member
- Amazing Ladies Pursuing Holistic Activities (ALPHA) Member
- Wonders of Wellness (W.O.W.)
- Student Government Association
- JV Volleyball: (2012-2013)
Deshawnta has had the opportunity to intern with Sodexo, McKendree’s dining services
offered in Ames Dining Hall and 1828 Café. This internship has allowed her to gain
experience that complements her Health and Wellness major while enhancing the campus dining experience for students, faculty, and staff.
After graduation, she hopes to obtain a job working with children and teens who need
assistance in the nutritional aspects of life.
Deshawnta believes McKendree has provided her with the necessary tools to be successful.
“Career services helped me in determining where I wanted to do my internship and made sure I was on top of my game with getting the paper work signed and creating a presentable resume.”
She also comments that working as a phone-a-thon caller and lab assistant for the IT department has prepared her for a variety of opportunities that will approach her upon graduation.
Mandy Aoieong '16
-
Speech Communication Major
-
Change Ambassador (2015-2016)
-
Competitive Dance Team (2015-2016)
-
New Student Orientation Leader (2013-2014)
-
PomCats Dance Team (2012-2014)
-
Kappa Sigma Tau Sorority Member (2012-2013)
Mandy has been successful in obtaining an internship with Allied Integrated Marketing,
an agency in St. Louis that partners with movie studios such as Disney, Warner Brothers,
Pixar, Lions Gate, and much more. However, she was primarily an intern under Warner
Brothers. During this internship, she set up advance screenings and promoted upcoming
movies through small businesses, companies, and nearby universities. Through it all,
Mandy enjoyed best the opportunity to work with a variety of people as a team.
At this moment, Mandy is still making future career decisions, but plans on taking
a marketing and promotions career path after graduation. She recently received an
interview with Apple, Inc., in Cupertino, CA, for a position of event coordinator.
The interview was a success and Mandy is keeping this position, as well as others,
in mind as she makes her decision.
Mandy credits her professors at McKendree for providing her with a variety of skills
she needs to be successful in her future career. The personal advice she has received
from professors has helped her prepare for the challenges that may come her way.
“The time and effort these instructors and professors have provided for me really makes a difference. I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for McKendree University.”
Make It McKendree
