Kim Craig ’12 is ready for the next chapter of her story at Columbia College.
Craig transitioned in June from senior director of Enrollment Services at CC to her new position as the college’s director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving.
Craig will be responsible for implementing dynamic alumni relations and annual giving programs in support of the college’s mission and fundraising goals. She will encourage meaningful engagement and philanthropy through her work with alumni and oversight of the Columbia College Fund. She also is the staff liaison and point of contact for the Columbia College Alumni Association (CCAA) Advisory Council.
Nearly two months into the job, Craig answered a few questions from CC Connected, reflecting on her roots as a Cougar and looking ahead to the future:
CC Connected: What does it mean to you to be a member of the CC community?
Kim Craig: I am a proud alumna, graduating with a bachelor’s in Human Services from the Day Program. To me, CC represents a community built on a foundation of civility and respect. It is an institution that promotes growth, learning and exploration. The faculty, staff and students are what make CC special.
Connected: What stands out to you about your time as a student at CC?
Craig: I had a wonderful experience as a student and often say I ‘blossomed’ at CC. The college gave me opportunities to learn, try new things, discover my love for leadership and represent my fellow students. I grew up in Columbia, so I lived off-campus as a student. However, I don’t think many people knew that because I spent as much time on campus as possible – hanging out with friends, working as a student employee, attending events/activities and being involved in student organizations. I had the opportunity to serve in the Student Government Association (SGA) for four years, serving as president my senior year and as the SGA representative to the CCAA Advisory Council. Two of my proudest moments were receiving the prestigious Rogers Gate Award and giving the class address during the Ivy Chain Ceremony before Commencement.
Connected: How have your various jobs over the past 10 years prepared you for your new role?
Craig: I’ve worked at the college since 2014 in various roles in Admissions and Enrollment Services. In these roles, I gained experience in strategic leadership, event planning, project management, communication and mentorship. I am excited to bring my knowledge and skill sets to this new role to serve our alumni and friends of the college. Columbia College continues to be a great place to work and advance in my career.
Connected: What are a few goals or initiatives you want to achieve with CC alumni?
Craig: I am looking forward to creating additional opportunities for alumni to positively impact current students through mentoring, volunteering, giving and engagement. The opportunities to support our current students through continuing the success of the Cornerstone Club and to recruit the next generation of Cougar alumni through our Student Referral Program are high priorities for me and my team. Additionally, I would like to further integrate alumni presence and involvement into the Commencement ceremonies held throughout the year at our Columbia College Global locations. I am looking forward to working alongside Alumni Relations Coordinator Keiyana Austin ’21 and our fantastic CCAA Advisory Council, which provides excellent leadership for more than 97,000 alumni around the world.
Connected: Is there anything else you would like to tell CC’s vast network of alumni and friends?
Craig: I am looking forward to hearing the stories of our alumni and sharing their experiences of how CC has impacted their lives. I encourage alumni to call the Office of Alumni Relations at (573) 875-2586, send us an email at ccalum@ccis.edu or visit us on main campus in Columbia. We’d love to connect with you and share ways you can continue to support CC. And as always, we invite you to share any good news you have by submitting a Class Note. #WeAreCC!
