With Commencement approaching on June 1, Spalding is publishing a series of stories and Q&A’s that highlight students from a range of degree programs who are set to graduate. Next up is Kelsey Gunter, a candidate for a master of science in business communication degree. Kelsey previously worked as an admissions counselor at Spalding and now serves as recruitment coordinator at Assumption High School.

What is your favorite Spalding memory?
As simple as it sounds, my favorite memories are spending time with the people who make up Spalding – staff members, students and faculty. Enjoying lunch on the second floor ELC patio, walking to Ollie’s Trolley for some fries or celebrating milestones together. You will notice food is a common theme, but really it was the kind individuals that made these moments stand out.

What was your favorite spot on campus?
Anywhere there were free SteelCity Pops giveaways (smiling), or the Admissions Office. The admissions counselors are pretty cool people.

At Spalding, we like to say that, “Today is a great day to change the world.” For many of our students, Commencement is a world changing experience. After graduation, how do you plan to change the world, big or small, and who inspires you to be a #spaldingworldchanger?
Currently, I work at Assumption High School. I am grateful to have the opportunity to build relationships with these amazing young women and to lead and encourage the Assumption students as they discover who they are. I learn so much from them; their passions, dreams and aspirations inspire me daily.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your Spalding experience?
My advice to any student is get to know the people around you. You can make such an impact on someone just by being kind and sharing a little bit of love.

The forging of relationships between high school and college admission counselors is a key step in helping secondary students be better informed when they’re picking a college.

Spalding University hosted a day dedicated to that important networking when the Kentucky Association for College Admission Counselors (KYACAC) held their annual College Counseling Information Exchange (CCIE) on Friday, Sept. 8.

About 300 people, representing about 80 Kentucky high schools and 80 regional colleges and universities, attended speeches, information sessions and a college fair held at various Spalding buildings. It was the first time the CCIE had occurred in the heart of a college campus.

The day offered a chance for greetings and information to be exchanged between high school and college representatives before the fall travel season for admission counselors swings into full gear. Spalding President Tori Murden McClure spoke to the group in morning.

“It’s our time to really start collaborating on, ‘How do we really help students in the college admissions process?’” said the University of South Carolina’s Chris McCoy, who is the chair of KYACAC’s committee on postsecondary professional development. “It was perfect. For our first year [on a campus], you’re always nervous of what it will be, but the hospitality Spalding gave [was helpful]. We had President McClure give a keynote, and everyone kind of raved about her message, and I think that just aligned well with the mission of our organization and got everyone really excited.”

Jennifer Lowe, Youth Services Center coordinator at North Bullitt High School, said the CCIE was valuable because it gave her an opportunity to meet college admission reps in person whereas she usually communicating with them only over email or on the phone.

For Spalding, hosting the event was a chance to bring a large group of high school counselors from around the state to campus for an up-close look at an institution that their students may be considering.

“[Spalding hosting the CCIE] was an opportunity you couldn’t afford to pass up,” said Matt Elder, director of Spalding undergraduate admissions. “And then from an organizational perspective, just to get together with your colleagues and do a little bit of professional development and talk about best practices in being a guidance counselor or an admission counselor is important.”

Lowe said it was her first time visiting Spalding and that she will take back new insight to North Bullitt students if they inquire about the university.

“The campus is beautiful,” she said. “I love it. The buildings are very nice. … Now I can tell them what the campus actually looks like.”