Kim Cho spells service with a smile

Walk into Western Michigan University's Career Language Center for International Students nearly any day of the week and chances are the smiling face that greets you will be Kim Cho, admissions coordinator.

For more than 17 years, Cho has been a dedicated CELCIS employee, whose No. 1 priority is helping students enroll in WMU's English as a Second Language Program and adjust to their new lives in the United States.

"Meeting and interacting with students from around the world and learning about their culture is the most rewarding aspect of my work," Cho said. "And, I work with a wonderful group of professionals. CELCIS has been my one and only job at WMU and I love it!"

Cho is very knowledgeable about immigration policy and the necessary procedures international students must follow to obtain visas to study in the U.S., knowledge she keeps fresh as an active member of both the state and regional branches of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. She also monitors many listserv notices to learn new ways of running ESL programs, which she freely shares with faculty and staff.

Interim CELCIS Director Joel Boyd has worked with Cho since he began his tenure in the program more than 12 years ago. He qualifies Kim as "indispensable," and said students, faculty and staff greatly appreciate her knowledge, candor and humor.

"When Kim comes in each morning, there is a flurry of things to take care of," Boyd said. "There's the student trying to take care of a problem that should have been taken care of the day before, working with staff who need clarification about procedures, or taking care of a technological problem that needs resolving. The rest of the morning is spent dealing with new admissions, collaborations with international student services or some other part of the university, and after a quick lunch, she's back at it all over again. Her day is a run, run, run, kind of day, but she faces it with determination and vigor. She is the life of CELCIS; bringing donuts for meetings and cakes for birthdays."

Outside of work, Kim enjoys spending time with her husband and children, volunteering at her church, traveling, and trying new foods.

"Kim is one of those fortunate people who loves her work and shows it and by so doing makes those who work with her just as fortunate," Boyd said.