Katharine Pei grew up attending college events with her mother, who worked in higher education for 36 years. “I was a very involved student in college, which gave me a lot of opportunities and opened me to new experiences.  I chose to work in student affairs so I can provide college students with the same great experiences and opportunities I had.” Her master’s is in higher education and student affairs; she says she couldn’t see herself anywhere but in a university setting.

Pei says, “I hope to create more leadership programming on campus and develop resources for student organizations.” Her impact thus far at Southeast includes advising the Emerging Leaders program along with Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, and facilitating student organization registration. Make A Statement, a week long event in September, gave students the chance to chalk the sidewalks with thoughts or ideas and publicize new events, and Friday Night Leadership is a one-day conference open to all students.

Pei sees herself as a perpetual student, and she plans to get a Ph.D. or Juris Doctor. She reads daily, about two books a week. Pei says, “Be sure to take fun classes while you’re in college, like ceramics or film studies; it may be a chance to learn about a passion outside your career interests.” Her favorite book is “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell.  “She pulls you into the story, and it really feels like you’re living through the Civil War.”

She keeps candy in her office (UC202) to encourage students to stop by. “If anyone has suggestions about leadership programming they’d like to see on campus, let me know! I can be contacted at leadership@semo.edu.”

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