“Meet 220” is a series of posts featuring staff of the Smeal Professional Graduate Programs. “220” refers to the suite of offices within the Business Building where the team is housed.
Annie Kaverman, Online MBA Student Services Manager, Professional Graduate Programs
What’s your role with the Smeal PGP office?
As the Student Services Manager for the Online MBA (OMBA) Program, I meet with incoming students to map out their coursework taking into consideration the number of courses they are able to take each semester and the concentrations they plan to pursue. In addition, I coordinate the graduation check-out process, the pre-requisite checking and transfer credit requests.
What did you do prior to coming to Smeal?
Prior to coming to Smeal, I was the iMBA Program Director (OMBA’s predecessor). Before that, I held positions at Mercyhurst University, Heritage Trust Company and Integra Bank (now Key Bank). I also spent 13 years as a full-time mom raising 4 children with my husband.
What’s your favorite thing about your role?
Without a doubt, my favorite aspect of this role is interacting with students. I look forward to the advising session and getting to know each student a little better. Playing a small role in helping students meet their career goals is very rewarding to me.
What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume alone?
People are always shocked when I speak about the size of our holiday dinners. Thanksgiving and Christmas family dinners typically have between sixty-five and eighty people. Yes, we still are able to accommodate this many people in one home…but I don’t think that will be the case for much longer especially as 6 nieces and nephews will be getting married in 2019. You might be further shocked to know that our family dinners every Saturday and Sunday night from May-September include 50-plus people. I have nine siblings and together we have given my parents forty-one grandchildren and thirteen-plus great-grandchildren…so far. Despite the chaos, my parents wouldn’t have it any other way, and neither would I.
If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be and why?
Michelle Obama. Starting at a very early age, she set goals for herself and found ways to overcome obstacles that stood in the way. She has found a balance that allows her to pursue initiatives while maintaining priorities for her family. For example, despite the demanding schedule of the First Lady, family dinners remained a top priority in order to keep her family grounded. Finally, despite the negative comments directed towards herself and her family, she always carried herself with grace and poise. She definitely has set a great example for me.