About Kaitlyn Waller:
I was born and raised in Minnesota, but I've since lived all over–three years in Iowa, one in Wisconsin, three in France and two in China. As an undergraduate, I studied French, and then earned my master's in international education. I love traveling, but I'm happy to be back in the United States and especially in the Midwest!
What is your position at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln?
I work as the student success navigator for the CUSP Rwandan Scholarship Program.
What drew you to University of Nebraska–Lincoln?
The CUSP scholarship at UNL is so unique; I am thrilled to be a part of it.
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
It seems like a cliché, but my favorite thing is working with students. The Rwandan scholars on campus are incredible to work with; they are bright, motivated, hilarious and so friendly.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Moving a cat from China to Nebraska! I adopted a rescue cat in China, and the paperwork to move her across borders was intense. Plus, she got out of her carrier and escaped into the walls of O'Hare airport for a while ... so it was not an easy journey.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
I played the piano and flute for over 10 years. At this point, I've forgotten how to play both, but I'd love to re-learn piano.
What is your life like outside of work?
I spend a lot of time hanging out with my partner, going for walks, reading or watching Netflix. I also love baking and trying new recipes, so I read a lot of cooking blogs for inspiration.