Written by: Emma Rodriguez
Southern Adventist University has a new director of student life and activities, Alexis Castro. Castro is taking on the position previously filled by Kari Shultz, who retired last semester after 24 years at Southern.
In an interview with the Accent, Castro, a native of Orlando, Florida, described herself and her passion for planning and coordinating events.
Castro has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and small business management from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she minored in both Spanish and accounting. Her current hobbies include watersports, reading, Disney trips and watching movies.
Castro discovered her passion for planning in her role as a coordinator for the music department while attending Georgia Cumberland Academy.
“I loved planning all of that stuff out,” she said. “It was so much fun, and I just found that I have a really big passion for planning.”
Although her initial career dream was to open a small business, she no longer feels she’s in the place to do that. However, she knew for a long time that she wanted her future job to include planning.
In college, Castro studied abroad for a year in Argentina, where she learned to speak fluent Spanish. After graduating, she worked as a marketing coordinator for small businesses and various companies. Last November, Castro got engaged to Brandon Grentz, a counselor at Southern’s Counseling Services.
When Castro learned that the position of Director of Student Life and Activities at Southern was open, she was excited about the opportunity to work with students and plan events.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the student organizations and learning more about how things are done here at Southern,” she said.
In an email sent to the Accent, Dennis Negrón, vice president for Student Development, wrote, “Alexis has already proven to be a tireless worker in her job. Her knowledge and her work ethic is what led us to pick her. Students can expect Alexis to be approachable.”
Castro said she is excited to make a positive impact on the student body at Southern. She hopes to bridge the gap between administration and students by creating a more collaborative relationship.
One of Student Development’s goals, according to Teri Reutebuch, administrative assistant for Student Development, is to increase the number of students bringing ideas and suggestions to the table.
“If [students] want to be involved in helping plan activities, they should stop by [Castro’s] office or talk to Lauren Fenwick, social vice president of Student Association, about those desires,” Negrón said.
“Come up to me; say ‘hi,’” Castro said. “I’d love to meet you. My office is always open.”