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By DEREK REDD
Katie Cooper wants to see West Liberty University grow. It's her calling within the university.
Cooper is WLU's assistant vice president of enrollment management. She oversees admissions, recruitment, financial aid, registration and retention at West Liberty while collaborating with the university's departments of housing, student life and student affairs. So it's her mission to help bring new students into the fold and make sure they're in the best position to stay and earn their degrees.
"There are days that I spend with incoming, future Hilltoppers talking about the opportunities on campus and preparing them for their future," she said. "There are days that I spend in meetings building technological needs to provide seamless processes for our future and current students. Some of my favorite days are watching our future and current students find their passion in workshops, events and different opportunities on campus.
"These students are our future and watching them grow and succeed through all the different opportunities across campus is amazing," she continued. "I'm thankful every day to watch these students grow, succeed, and become our future leaders."
Cooper's ascent to leadership was forged in the Ohio Valley. She's a 2003 Weir High graduate and a 2007 Bethany College graduate. While pursuing a master's degree at West Virginia University, she met her future husband Kyle Cooper.
The early part of Cooper's career took her to West Virginia State University and Ohio University until it brought both Coopers back to the Ohio Valley, Katie to WLU and Kyle to Wheeling University. Kyle now works at WLU with Katie as the university's women's basketball coach.
In returning to the region, the two decided this would be the place where their raised their family. The Coopers have two children, 8-year-old Brody and 4-year-old Cali.
"This place gives you a safe place to grow as a professional and as a family," she said. "I have been given opportunities to try, often failing, but always growing. West Liberty has allowed our family to be us while pushing beyond our comfort zones.
"The Ohio Valley offers experiences in athletics for our kids, an educational system that challenges and nurtures them and our favorite brunch spots," she continued. "The Ohio Valley allows us to be a family, grow as a family and be better as a family. The Valley allows us to give back to the area through education, charity and leadership like we couldn't imagine."
Working at West Liberty allowed Cooper to take statewide leadership roles. In 2016, she served as president of the West Virginia State Financial Aid association. It was that experience that gave her the background for her advice to young people beginning their professional careers -- be willing to say yes to lots of things, but also understand when it's the right time to say no.
"You have to be willing to say 'yes' to a lot of opportunities within your companies, associations and communities," she said. "You will be uncomfortable, you will not want to say yes sometimes, but you will grow and be better because of it. When I was asked to lead the West Virginia State Financial Aid Association as president, I did not feel ready, I did not feel prepared, I did not feel capable. I said 'yes.' I grew beyond belief. I was outside my comfort zone for an entire year, but I'm standing where I am today because I said 'yes.'
"You also have to know when to say 'no,'" Cooper continued. "There are times that you are asked to lead and give more, however knowing everything that's on your plate you also recognize that you cannot give your whole self, so that is when you say 'no, not right now.'"
Cooper is charging full steam ahead in her current role, and is excited about West Liberty's part in the future of higher education in the Ohio Valley. The university has something that can benefit anyone, she said, be it the 18-year-old high school graduate, 35-year-old teacher or 50-year-old executive.
"I am so excited about the opportunities we are providing to our community not only through education but also on campus with our arts, athletics, and community opportunities," she said. "I encourage anyone looking for an opportunity or change to visit us. West Liberty has much to give to this community and we want to support our community. Education is our future in every aspect."