New position at UPIKE filled by alumna
0By Hannah Adkins
A new position has made its way to campus and was filled by UPIKE alumna Stephanie Stiltner as she was named director of family connections in February 2018. From April 2009 to February 2018, Stiltner was the coordinator of public relations at UPIKE, and she recently started her new career path in hopes to encourage parents, grandparents, coaches, and others to be involved in their student’s life and not shy away from the process that comes with getting a college degree. “Family Connections is a central location for families to start, ask questions, and for us to send out information to them,” said Stiltner. Stiltner puts emphasis on the fact that the families are not expected to ask all the questions. As a formal program, Family Connections will get the information out to the parents and to the public. Stiltner acknowledged that even if the students’ parents went to college, it has drastically changed over the years and can be difficult for the parents to adapt. “Our goal is to answer the questions that they didn’t know they had,” said Stiltner. Stiltner is currently working on various types of media that will be available to the public including: a new website, social media accounts, such as Facebook, and a newsletter. These various ways of communication will give students and families access to roommate tips, homesickness advice, how to fill out the FAFSA, and many more topics. Stiltner will introduce herself and the program during the GROWL sessions for incoming students and their families. She is also working on a Family Weekend and Move-In-Day event. Stiltner wants to create a safe place for her students and their families and be their go-to person on campus. “Family Connections is in place to encourage families to share and support their student’s UPIKE experience,” said Stiltner. If you have further questions about Family Connections, visit Stiltner in her office at Administration Building 220 B, call her office phone at 606-218-5815, or email her at SStiltne@upike.edu.