From one side of the advisor desk to the other, Chris Cooney has dedicated her career to helping students pursue their degrees.
Cooney grew up in Canal Fulton, Ohio, and attended Canton Central Catholic High School. In 1976, she moved to Champion with her husband Tom and had two daughters, Kelly and Lindsay. In 1996, when both her daughters were in school, she decided to enroll at Kent State Trumbull.
"With both girls in school, I didn't need to stay at home any longer," Cooney said. "I had just finished a three-year volunteer job at the church, along with a couple of other volunteer jobs, and decided I should get a degree so I could get a job and start saving for our daughters' college."
She set out to earn an Associate of Applied Business in Office Technology and a Desktop Publishing Certificate.
"I thought office management would suit me, and maybe those skills were something that would get me a job on campus," she said. "I was so impressed, and frankly, quite surprised, to find that the staff and faculty were so very intent on helping the students succeed. I fell in love with the campus and the people."
She worked as a student employee, as an English tutor in the Skill Center (now known as the Learning Center), and as a student assistant to Elaine Shively in that department. Shortly after graduation in 2000, she was hired as the first receptionist in the then-new Technology Building.
Cooney continued her studies by earning a Bachelor of Science in Technology in 2005, graduating Summa Cum Laude with Departmental Honors for her Senior Honors Thesis. She added to that a Master of Technology degree in 2009.
In 2009, Cooney became a full-time academic advisor. After helping hundreds of students, she will retires on June 30. And, of course, she plans to continue helping others.
"I love what I do," Cooney said. "Tom, my husband is retiring the same day, coincidentally, my birthday. We are considering volunteering for Habitat for Humanity after we complete a few projects on our home."
She also plans to sew whenever she wants!
Congratulations, Chris and Tom!
{Pictured, left-right) Carrie Wittenauer, Chris Cooney, Sarah Helmick, Kelsey Popio