Welcome to KU Edwards Campus
Every day visitors and students on the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park, Kansas, call the Welcome and Success Center front desk for information about classes or stop to ask questions about programs, directions, and services. The students who staff the desk are critical first points of contact. Fortunately, they love their jobs.
Alex Fraser, Brianna Herrera, Kristen Luttrell, Dyhia Makhlouf, Deena Naji, and Lybah Nisar, work at the KUEC welcome center front desk.
A typical shift may include assisting faculty, staff, students, and visitors, providing information and resources, answering phone calls, and handling tasks such as scheduling appointments, making flyers, delivering diplomas and ID cards, and making appointment reminder calls. Their work and attitudes contribute to the success of the Welcome and Success Center.
Luttrell jokes that the most common question people ask is, “Where’s the bathroom,” but she says the questions that the welcome desk receives are varied.
“We receive a lot of questions about the process of starting classes on the Edwards Campus and how to become connected with specific events, programs, and resources. I’m a first-generation college student and navigating my bachelor’s and master’s degrees have not always been easy. I want to help other students feel connected and supported.”
Fraser finds the job a good fit for his schedule and enjoys working with the staff at the Edwards Campus. His typical day includes answering calls from students regarding their program or classes, as well as helping people who stop to ask questions at the desk.
Fraser says his coworkers are one of the benefits of the job.
“It’s a very friendly and positive atmosphere, which makes it easy,” he says. “Also, I use a wheelchair, and when I started working here, they very kindly added automatic door buttons to make getting in the office easier.”
Makhlouf, a graduate student in information technology, with a minor cybersecurity, found the listing for the job on the HireJayhawks website. In addition to accommodating her class schedule, Makhlouf thought the job would be a good fit because helping people is satisfying to her.
“I aim to exceed expectations in assisting people,” she says. “I value excellent customer service, and I strive to offer the same level of care and support to others.”
In addition to her regular duties at the desk, Makhlouf volunteered to support the KU events team by making signs when needed. But it’s not just her work ethic that makes her an asset to the welcome desk team.
“I have a genuine interest in helping others, and it’s satisfying to resolve people’s concerns,” she says. “I stay positive by focusing on each person’s unique needs and challenges. This fosters a friendly atmosphere, which keeps the work engaging.”
Herrera, who is completing her Bachelor of Social Work and plans to continue on to get her master’s, heard about the job at the welcome desk through a friend. She says her favorite thing about working at the Edwards Campus is the helpful staff and says the people asking for help are equally friendly.
“The vibes on campus are really cheerful and nice! It’s makes it easier to be happy and cheerful when everyone around us is too.” Herrera says the staff strives to find ways to engage the student population. “We are very serious about students’ needs and feedback.”
Ashley Kalatusha, a student services specialist at the Edwards Campus, supervises the students who work at the welcome desk. She has had plenty of experiences in this area because she worked at the Welcome and Success Center when she was a student at KU.
“Ashley makes sure we put our academics first and we are able to develop our work schedule based on our course schedule,” Herrera says. “Working on campus means I don’t have to worry about getting to class.”
“Being able to work with and supervise this amazing team feels full circle,” Kalatusha says. “The position is very different than what it was when I was a student, but the evolution of the role allows the team to embrace their talents and build a stronger community with one another.”
Kalatusha says the current staff are eager to help. They have suggested several student-focused events that have been successful.
“My team has taught me so much and they each bring something special to their role at the welcome center,” Kalatusha says.” One of my favorite parts is watching each of them grow in their degrees and confidence. It is always sad to watch them graduate and leave, but it is also one of the most rewarding experiences.”
This blog was authored by Patricia O’Dell.
