Page 11 - Laker Connection Fall 2012

DREAMS. MADE REAL.
VP for External Relations Kate Troelstra
Getting People Involved with Clayton State
Her title is “Vice President for External Relations.” And it fits. Kate Troelstra, Clayton State University’s new (as of June 11, 2012) vice president for external rela- tions, is all about relating. More exactly, about getting people involved with Clayton State, and building relationships.
Throughout her career in higher education, which spans more than 20 years, Troelstra has concentrated her efforts on building relationships. At Clayton State, she will be responsible for a wide range of relationship-building functions in the Exter- nal Relations Division, including the University’s Development, Alumni Relations, Image and Communications, and University Relations offices.
“The more people we can get involved with Clayton State, the better,” she says. “For me, it’s all about how (External Relations) can get people involved with Clayton State. Whether it’s coming to an event on campus, being admitted as a student, volunteering or getting a job at Clayton State; it’s about involve- ment and investment, because everyone has their passion.”
Troelstra speaks with passion, because she already under- stands that Clayton State is indeed about dreams made real.
“If you would like to make a college experience a reality for someone, we can help you do that,” she says. “If you want to realize your dream as nurse, we can help you do that. It’s about matching up your dreams with what we offer at Clayton State.”
Clearly a devotee after only a few months on the job, Troelstra says it wasn’t hard to be attracted to Clayton State.
“The university is moving forward, but it’s doing so in a controlled, thoughtful manner. It’s growth with a purpose,” she says, when asked why she was attracted to Clayton State from her previous position as senior director of development at Clem- son University.
Fitting together with the concept of dreams made real is that controlled, thoughtful part of Clayton State’s future, as re- flected in the University’s strategic plan.
“That’s what drives us,” she explains. “What I ask is, ‘what is External Relations doing to support the strategic plan?’” In case you’re wondering about that last question, Troel-
stra already has some answers.
“Regardless of the economic climate, universities have to
think about growing and moving forward. If you decide to main- tain the status quo, you fall behind,” she says. “I think Clayton
State is very aware of who we are, and of the strong services and opportunities we are able to offer to students and the com- munity. Now we, as a division, just need to figure out how to best let the world know about
it and invite them to become a part of it.”
A graduate of Johns
Hopkins University, Troelstra
began her professional career
there as a phonathon caller and
later phonathon supervisor.
Since graduation, she has
added experience in a wide
range of educational settings,
including liberal arts colleges,
public research universities,
professional schools, and independent schools. At Clemson, she oversaw prospect research, managed hiring, orientation, and pro- fessional development; prepared reports and analysis for the cam- paign and reinvestment fee, and carried a portfolio of major gift prospects focused mainly in Atlanta.
No matter where she has served, including Providence Day School in Charlotte, N.C., Rutgers University, and The Dickinson School of Law of The Pennsylvania State University, Troelstra has kept her focus on relationship-building, something she’ll continue at Clayton State, to the point where she requested that this story finish with an invitation to all our readers.
“What will help me in this role is talking to as many peo- ple as I can, whether they are graduates, friends, business lead- ers, students, Clayton State employees, anyone,” she says. “Be sure to publish my email address.
“Email me, I’d love to talk to you. Although I certainly want to hear from our close friends, I’m hoping to get some responses from people who have not necessarily been that closely connected with Clayton State recently. I want to know how they might want to get involved with Clayton State. I’ll talk to anyone.”
And she will. As requested, Troelstra’s email address at Clayton State is kate@clayton.edu. Drop her a note, she’d love to hear from you; because, in the end, her job is indeed about building relationships.
__ John Shiffert
FALL 2012 9