February’s SAEM Staff Spotlight is Kyki Bobotas, Assistant Director of Admissions. Kyki began her Millersville University career as a student in the mid-1980’s just after MU became a university and PASSHE was created. As a student, she worked in Admissions and as an Orientation Leader. After earning a degree in Psychology and working for Community Services Group in several of their residential facilities for adults, she returned to MU to pursue an M. Ed. In Guidance and Counseling.
Kyki has been a Millersville employee for over 30 years, all within the Admissions department. Over the years, her role has changed; it has included freshmen recruitment, transfer recruitment, special populations (such as returning student, second degree-seeking students and students from rural areas), event coordination and travel recruitment coordination. She coordinated the Alumni Admissions program in which alumni volunteers assisted with recruitment efforts, volunteered with the Lancaster group of the MU Alumni Association, served as an Exploratory Advisor and served on a president’s advisory council for Dr. Caputo. Kyki has come full circle and is once again focusing on freshmen recruitment, in addition to continuing work with students who are returning to MU for degree completion and with those seeking a second bachelor’s degree.
When asked what she loves most about her job, Kyki responded, “One of my favorite aspects of working in Admissions is interacting with the prospective students and families. I still keep in touch with some MU alumni with whom I worked as they entered, persisted and graduated from MU. I also like higher education and Millersville in particular because it is cyclical in nature and every day is different.” She also enjoys being “on the road” while visiting high schools, as well as being on campus to follow up with students she meets with individually.
Outside of her time on campus, Kyki is an active member of the Lancaster Sierra Club, a local chapter of a national environmental group whose mission is to Enjoy, Explore and Protect the environment. “I have been a co-chairperson of the Annual Polar Bear 5K fundraiser,” she explained, “whose proceeds are used for a Green Grant Program which invited local non-profit organizations to apply for grants to support local environmentally-focused projects. In addition to environmental interests, I enjoy skiing and African Hand Drumming, and have led drumming workshops for staff retreats and for the Pre-Scholars Summer Institute in the past.”
“Millersville University has changed a lot over the years, which has kept my time here interesting and exciting,” said Kyki. “I’ve enjoyed and continue to enjoy working with competent, supportive colleagues in Admissions and across campus. MU continues to be a great place to work.”
Thank you, Kyki, for all you do for the Admissions department and for Millersville University! We appreciate all your hard work!