Stephanie Kuenning grew up listening to Husker football games on the radio while her dad did yard work, but her love for the university, especially its academic offerings, grew exponentially once she started working for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Architecture.
Kuenning, director of advising and student success for the college, said her time as a student and her current work helping students reach graduation have shown her the full value of the university.
“I’m deeply invested in what the university has to offer the state of Nebraska and its citizens,” Kuenning said. “I feel an immense amount of pride when I tell people I work for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Architecture.”
Kuenning worked for the college as a master’s student and returned in 2001. She will be honored for 25 years of service at the annual Celebration of Service on Oct. 2.
Kuenning earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in anthropology from the university. Although her job is not in those fields, her Nebraska education has been invaluable and built important skills relevant to her position.
“I loved my education, and I use it every single day,” she said. “All of those skills I value and cherish. I’ve invested a lot of time in the university, and the university has invested a lot in me.”
In her position, Kuenning works on advising, recruiting, retention and career preparation. In addition to helping students with degree completion strategies, she organizes recruiting events, strategizes with faculty and peers on retention efforts, and connects students with mentors and internship opportunities. She enjoys wearing many hats working in a “small but mighty” college, she said.
“I love it all,” she said. “Any opportunity I have to advise a student and help them make an important decision feels good to me.”
She hopes students in the college understand that she and her staff are always available to help with typical advising needs, but they can also help students struggling with managing course loads, exploring majors or who need assistance connecting with valuable resources on campus such as Husker Hub and Counseling and Psychological Services.
“They know exactly where to go and who they can talk to when they need the best advice, not only what classes to register for or when they should participate in a career fair,” she said. “We also want students to feel comfortable to come in here when things are not going so well. They always know they can come into this office and we’re going to get them the best advice or be a sounding board for them as they work through these questions they have.”
Building those relationships with not only students, but faculty and other staff, has been an essential part of Kuenning’s career. When she first worked in the College of Architecture as a master’s student, she said faculty and staff would give her reading material and express interest in her studies. The support meant a great deal to her, and it has only continued over the years.
“They cared about me as a person and my personal growth,” Kuenning said. “I had such great mentors in leadership. I got to work with phenomenal leaders. I got to see how they lead and learn from them and they provided me with some amazing opportunities to grow as a person and as a staff member.”
For the students, those relationships begin before they even attend a class. New Student Enrollment is one of Kuenning’s favorite times of year because of the excitement of the new arrivals.
“When the new freshmen are coming in and they’re so excited and everything is new and fresh, and they’re just so energetic, I feed off that energy,” Kuenning said.
Her other favorite time of year is graduation, when she gets to see the students she has helped reap the rewards of their work. She loves getting to greet them when they are recognized during the college's recognition ceremony.
“I always feel such pride and it’s very emotional for me to watch them walk across the stage and shake our faculty’s hand,” she said. “I get to be on the other side and give them a hug or congratulate them.”
Her years in the job have instilled a deep appreciation for the education the university offers students and what the institution gives to the state and its people through education, research and more.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t strongly believe in what the university has to offer students, staff, faculty and the state of Nebraska,” Kuenning said.
