Kristy Blue mines for Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø gold in California

In August, Kristy Lear Blue joined the Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø admissions staff in a new position: director of admissions¨CWest Coast. She will lead Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s effort to develop a recruitment footprint in California and other western states.

For Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø, Blue will create name recognition among students, college counselors, community-based organizations and others involved in the college counseling process. She will work with alumni in California and other western states, and will have periodic responsibilities on the Rock Island campus.

She will travel to meet and interview prospective students from California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii.

Executive Vice President W. Kent Barnds says, ¡°She has the energy and experience to spread the word of Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø in the west, and I am confident she will inspire students from that region to commit to Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø.¡±

Meet Kristy

Hometown: Osceola, Wis., currently a resident of San Diego

Educational/personal achievements: Graduating from college, traveling internationally with the USA U-23 rugby team, moving to California from the Midwest, living abroad in Europe and South America, being happily married, and now becoming a Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Viking

Preparation for this new role: At her alma mater, University of Minnesota, Kristy held roles as senior admissions counselor and western U.S. recruitment coordinator.

First impression of Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø: ¡°I was impressed with how wonderful and genuine the people are on campus. I was greeted with a warm welcome to campus like a long-time friend by staff, faculty, and students.¡±

What¡¯s the best or worst part of the new career challenges you face in this position? ¡°Students have many options on where to go to college. I have to help grab their attention and turn them toward Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø. This is more of an opportunity than a challenge.¡±

What are your early goals? ¡°My goals are to get the Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø name and the feel of the campus culture out in the communities on the West Coast. Through alumni involvement, college fairs, high school and individual visits, I hope to connect and engage with students who will make a positive impact on our campus community.¡±