Meredith Kusky
November 13, 2018
Meredith Kusky (2018).
Meredith Kusky is a healthcare industry professional with a background in nonprofit marketing and fundraising and talent and insight services. She is currently working as a Senior Learning Coordinator at Cerner Corporation headquarters in Kansas City, MO. During her time at Truman Statue University, she was the starting catcher for the intercollegiate softball team.
What year did you graduate and what was your concentration?
I graduated in May 2013 with a concentration in Communication – Journalism and a minor in Justice Systems.
What extra-/co-curricular activities did you do?
Meredith, co-captain of the softball team (2011).
I was involved with Varsity Softball team (Co-Captain Junior and Senior year), worked as a Sports Staff Writer for the The Index, and was a member of the Communication Honors Society Lambda Pi Eta.
What was your first job after graduation?
Community Outreach Associate at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Foundation on the Marketing team.
What work do you do/What are you doing now?
I am developing a new training program at Cerner that allows third party contractors to enroll in training and become certified on Cerner technology. The third-party consultants then contract through Cerner with our Contingent Workforce team, on which I also assist to install the solution or product our clients use.
How has your Liberal Arts/COMM education helped you?
Meredith during a COMM Department trip to the 2012 Iowa Caucuses.
My liberal arts education gave me a well-rounded experience that truly prepared me for the “real world.” While focusing my studies on journalism, the COMM Department required me to take classes outside of my focus. This gave me a better opportunity to choose what I wanted to do after graduation, pinpoint my skills and excel in areas that interested me.
Which class did you dislike at the time you took it, but now you’re grateful you took it?
I did not enjoy graphic (publication) design when I took that class. Design is not my forte, so I struggled excelling. However, I am so grateful to have a background in that study, as design is so relevant in our world of social media and IT.
What was your greatest accomplishment at Truman?
Graduating as a student athlete (softball) taught me how to prioritize, succeed humbly, and fail gracefully. Through the wins and losses, heartaches and exuberance of the ups and downs, I learned who I am as a leader, a teammate, a friend, and student. Knowing I balanced all the challenges that college throws at students, plus putting in countless hours in the gym and on the field, gives me much pride to represent Truman as a Bulldog.
(L) Meredith playing softball. (R) Meredith (center) and friends on the softball team (2012).
Why is Truman a good place for a student to study?
You will never be a number at Truman. You will easily build relationships with your peers and faculty. Your professors will take a genuine interest in your success and future. Your support is instantaneous and lasts years after your graduation date.
What would you say a COMM student should absolutely do while at Truman?
Network, network, network. Your net worth is your network. Talk to the students in the science classes, the math classes, the literature classes, and get engaged with them. You never know who will be the “person you know” to help get your foot into the door of your dream job.
Meredith (center right) “networking” outside of class (2011).
What advice would you give someone who wants to go into the same line of work as you?
Pay attention in COMM Theory. Even though at this point, you don’t understand why you even have to take it… it’s so relevant! I promise. Your emotional intelligence (EQ) is just as important as your IQ, and this class, dives into how to read others, become more self-aware, and build your EQ. Research is continuing to show that these measurable skills improve leadership effectiveness, retention, organizational climate, and the bottom line. What business doesn’t see those qualities as valuable?
What do you miss most about campus/Kirksville?
The community. Kirksville is truly a place where people know your name. The intimate town and university gives you an instant bond to people who become family. Those relationships truly can last a lifetime.
Meredith and her community during a softball team road trip (2010).
What tag line would you create for the COMM department at Truman?
“Communication – We’ll effectively tell you how to outwork your competitor.”
If you could come back to Truman and teach a class for a semester, what would be its title and what would it be about?
To Be or Not to Be – The ins and outs of major industries and how to pick which is the best fit for you.
If you would like to learn more of Meredith’s story, you can follow her on Instagram.