Lakeland Mirror

Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: www.lakeland.edu Taken from the Lakeland Web site, Chelsy Cegielski.

Students who work on campus should be familiar with the Career Development office to visit Chelsy Cegielski, manager of student employment. However, Chelsey will be leaving Lakeland in a few weeks.

Chelsy was raised in Rudolph, Wis., and attended St. Cloud University in St. Cloud, Minn. There, she was a criminal justice major and took on roles in residence life; one included assistant residence hall director.

When she graduated, Chelsy went to a job fair for residence life through the Office of Post-Secondary Education (OPE). She looked at Lakeland and applied, even though she didn't know where it was. Chelsy had her first interview with Dean of Students Sandy Gibbons-Vollbrecht at OPE.

When Chelsy had her second interview at Lakeland with President Stephen Gould, she brought her fiancé at the time, Jerry. He mentioned that he liked the location of the college, because it reminded him of his small hometown. Chelsy thought the same.

In 1998, Chelsy started working at Lakeland as a residence hall director of Krueger Hall. Her husband was able to get a local job, and Chelsy remained hall director for four years.

After a couple years, Chelsy and Jerry were looking to move off campus so they could have more opportunities. Chelsy still worked as a part-time hall director and worked for student employment part time.

Chelsy was working with Lisa Stephen on getting a career development job. After the idea was approved by the board, Chelsy was able to work in student employment full time beginning in 2002.

"One main thing I love about my job is that I get to work with students all the time," Chelsy said. "Just through conversations alone, I can obtain students growth without living with them like I did when I was a hall director."

Changes were in store for Chelsy and Jerry. In Feb. 2004, their first daughter, Isabel, was born. "At that point I considered doing a job share just so I could work part time and be able to be with my daughter," Chelsy said.

That was certainly bound to happen. "I can be a mom on Tuesdays and be a professional on the other days during the week," Chelsy said. "I think it's the best job I've ever had."

The thing Chelsy will miss the most about Lakeland is the students. "I got so connected with them and I hope that I can keep in contact with many of the students once I leave," she said.

Continued...

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