As a higher educational professional with expertise in student success and alumni engagement, Krysta leads career education efforts in Lyman Briggs College (LBC), a small, science-focused residential college on Michigan State University’s campus. Through strategic collaboration, and with a keen focus on inclusivity and equitable engagement, Krysta has created and implemented innovative programming both in and out of the classroom, identifying opportunities to combine resources and networks with campus partners in a way that supports student success. Most recently, her endeavors have included developing short and long-term alumni mentorship programs, primarily for pre-med and science students, as well as implementing career education into the core science curriculum. This work places a significant emphasis on improving access to career resources and mentorship for all students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. In addition to creating and executing these programs, Krysta co-leads a research team which seeks to better understand how incorporating career education into the core curriculum impacts students’ sense of self-efficacy, STEM Identity, and sense of belonging, all of which contribute to retention. 

A first-generation college student, Krysta understands just how challenging the collegiate terrain can be; through her work she aims to continue creating and implementing programs and initiatives that help more students successfully navigate the higher education environment by focusing on purpose-driven work.