Cornerstone has been seeing many new faces this year.  The Admissions department is no exception.

With the various reasons for departure, Admissions found itself three counselors short.  Thankfully, those roles were quickly filled with people who are passionate about working with high school students and growing the Cornerstone community.

Kaleb Klotz joins the Admissions team after working in various psychiatric organizations, such as Pine Rest Christian Mental Health.

“I worked on a variety of different inpatient units on the hospital, ranging from the child and adolescent unit to an older, adult unit,” Klotz said.

From there, Klotz found a similar job, with more reliable hours, at St. Mary’s Hospital in their Psychiatric Medical Unit.

But Klotz was not content there.

“It was a stressful job and not what I wanted to continue pursuing for a vocation,” Klotz said.

Reflecting on what he liked to do, Klotz realized that he loved working with high school students.  Initially he began searching for a job in youth ministry.  However, he heard that Cornerstone was hiring admissions counselors.

A Cornerstone graduate himself, Klotz decided to apply.

“I was very excited from the get go since I knew what a great place this was to be at,” Klotz said.

Upon his hiring, Klotz says he is looking forward to growing the West Michigan area that he has been put in charge of.  In order to accomplish this, Klotz is seeking to create relationships with youth pastors to “tell them about who Cornerstone University is and what our mission is as we educate students,” Klotz said.

Also new to Admissions this year is Christina Prince.  Prince graduated from Cornerstone in 2007 with a degree in Family Studies and Communications.

After she graduated from Cornerstone, Prince spent a year working at Holland Pediatrics. 

“It was a difficult and challenging year, but I grew tremendously from it,” Prince said.  “God used that time to further shape me and help me discern my passions.  It was a year of waiting and listening.”

And God not only showed Prince where her passions were, but he also provided her with a career in following them.

“With this job, I am able to speak into their lives,” Prince said.  “It’s so fun to connect with them and see the excitement and apprehension they have about a new season in their lives.”

Prince loves every aspect of her job.

“The variety in this new role is great because I love traveling and doing different things every day,” Prince said.  “The Admissions team is absolutely wonderful.  It’s the type of working environment that you wake up and want to go to work.”

Brett Buckingham, a Grand Rapids native, graduated from Cedarville University in 2002.

After he graduated, Buckingham worked at St. John’s Home in Grand Rapids, which is “a home for abused and neglected children,” Buckingham said.

“I worked in both the Emergency Shelter, where kids are directly removed from their abusive and neglectful homes, as well as being the House Manager for a longer term residential home for 6-12 year old boys,” Buckingham said.

Even though he loved the job, Buckingham says it was trying and difficult.

After enjoying working as a Student Assistant in college, and desiring a career change, Buckingham decided to pursue a career as an Admissions Counselor.

“I figured it would be a logical step to enjoy it as an actual Admissions Counselor,” Buckingham said.

And Buckingham is looking forward to the new season at Cornerstone.

“I think that there are a lot of exciting things happening at CU with Dr. Stowell as president, and the growth that I have seen at Cornerstone over the years.”

Buckingham looks forward to meeting new students and seeing the Admissions process through their eyes, so as to better serve them.

So despite the sadness that followed the counselors who are no longer part of the Admissions team, the staff looks forward working with the new members who are certain to continue providing excellent care for future Cornerstone students.