From Divided to Unified
“We don’t have a ‘main campus’. We have Kennesaw. We have Marietta. And we have students who deserve to feel seen on both.”
KSU’s dual-campus model could have remained a logistical headache. Instead, Alex made it a strength. From green-accented schedules to tailored traditions like pumpkin launches, her team honors the identity of each location while building bridges across both.
“Our schedules have green on them—that was Southern Poly’s color.”
Systems That Flex With Scale
“We built a ferry from Admissions Island to the mainland. Our job is to get students across.”
Alex redefined what onboarding looks like at scale. KSU students enter the system in different ways—some prepared, others overwhelmed. Her solution? Eliminate unnecessary blocks, empower advisors with real-time group visibility, and shorten mandatory sessions without sacrificing warmth.
“Our required programming is 9:30 to 12:30. The rest is optional—and strategic.”
Routing Logic Meets Human Logic
“We built a logic gate in VZO. If a student selects ‘nursing,’ we stop them—and reroute.”
KSU’s gated majors (like nursing and business) often created false starts. Alex introduced a logic-driven process where students choose their path—and get nudged toward success. With routing rules, pre-advising visibility, and Chick-fil-A–style check-in flows, the chaos turned into clarity.
“They were stuck in limbo. Now they’re graduating with public health degrees.”
Support Without Shame
“Some students walk in without a phone or ID. And that’s okay. We still get them registered.”
Instead of assuming readiness, Alex trains her team to meet students where they are. From login troubleshooting to defining what a “hold” means, her approach is empathy-first. No lectures. No shame. Just real support.
“We used to print ID cards. Now it’s mobile. And faster.”
Strategic Sync, Real-Time Feedback
“Orientation is not the end. It’s a handoff. We drip, we measure, and we refine.”
From personalized follow-up campaigns to real-time show-rate analytics by college, Alex’s team uses data to adjust programming and prevent melt. 98% of students who attend orientation register for classes. And those who don’t? They’re flagged before it’s too late.
“We knew our math classes were full—so we opened more sections.”
Leading with Empathy, Scaling with Trust
“We hire talented people. We have to let them be talented.”
From letting go of over-control to starting her PhD, Alex embodies growth. Her social work background and leadership mindset equip her to sit with discomfort, act without ego, and pilot new ideas with integrity. Whether it’s routing students or empowering teammates, she leads with trust.
“I’m always willing to pivot. It’s just event life.”
