[Meet a Teton] Karissa Kjos, Student Life Coordinator | Williston State College

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[Meet a Teton] Karissa Kjos, Student Life Coordinator

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[Meet a Teton] Karissa Kjos, Student Life Coordinator

Posted: Jul 26 2017

Karissa Kjos

Position at WSC: Student Life Coordinator
Time in position: 1 year 

Fast Facts: Hometown: Williston, North Dakota
Favorite Restaurant in Williston: Lucy Lu
Favorite Book: The Notebook
Favorite Music: Country
Favorite T.V. Show: Gilmore Girls
Family: Younger sister, Kalli, (22) and parents, Ken and Darci, married 29 years, dog, Jax, (4 months)
Go-to Karaoke Song: 'Man, I Feel Like a Woman,' by Shania Twain 

Education: Williston High School, 2010
Minnesota State University Moorhead, B.A. in Communication Studies, 2013  

 

q. What drew you to Williston and the college?
a. I've always liked working with students and student life. When I was at Moorhead, I was a part of Dragon Entertainment Group, who planned a variety of events for students. I really enjoyed being a part of that process and this coordinator position let me do that again.

q. Where did you work before your current position?
a. I worked for Amy Zaroff Events + Design in Minneapolis, MN starting as an intern in '13 then I got hired on full time. I was there for a year then got the opportunity to move back home and work as Executive Director for the Williston Downtowners Association before starting at WSC in '16.

q. Why student life? What made you pick this as a career area?
a. I like to see students making new relationships and connections with each other plus having fun. It's also rewarding to see them grow and develop their personalities over the course of their time here.

q. What are some of your favorite memories from working at WSC?
a. Week of Welcome, the first week of the school year, is always one of my favorite weeks because I get to meet the new students and introduce them to all the opportunities they are going to have at WSC. I also love when students stop by my office throughout the week and chitchat about anything and everything.

q. How has Williston changed since you were younger?
a. It's changed in a lot of very big ways. What I love now about Williston is that there are more young professionals and a variety of delicious restaurants to choose between. The diversity of people and activities to do is great too.

q. What are your favorite things to do around Williston?
a. I love going to Lake Sakakawea, shopping around downtown, attending community events and shows put on by Entertainment, Inc!

q. What is one thing you'd change about Williston and why?
a. I wish it was less expensive to find housing in the area and that rent was lower.

q. What are some interesting facts about you that people might not know?
a. I love mint chocolate chip ice cream, rain and watching the Hallmark Channel. I am a cat person but own a dog and am the President of the Williston Young Professionals. Plus, I own my own business, Gather Events & Marketing.

q. What are some of your hobbies or interests?
a. I mainly like to spend time with family and friends. I also like lake days to waterski and knee board as well as boxing with Pink Gloves Boxing.   

q. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
a. Jennifer Anniston, of course!

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