Kaitlyn Giles, Assistant Director of Student Success, Southwest Minnesota State University

kaitlyn giles
'16 B.S. interdisciplinary studies, '18 m.s. educational leadership

Kaitlyn grew up in Waseca, MN before attending MNSU. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in May of 2016; she chose the areas of Business, Spanish, and Mathematics for her emphases as they offered her a unique opportunity to combine the subjects she was passionate about. She then continued her education with MNSU and earned her Master of Science in Educational Leadership in December of 2018.

As a student at Minnesota State, Kaitlyn was actively involved in student organizations and worked for several student affairs offices. She was part of the Varsity Track & Field team and was involved in Delta Sigma Pi and Phi Sigma Pi, and worked for the following: Admissions, Career Development Center, New Student & Family Programs, Student Support Services, and Residence Life.

Since graduating, Kaitlyn has worked in higher education for the Minnesota State system. She began her professional career in 2017 in Admissions at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park, MN where she worked for 2 years. She then took a position in Admission with Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN for a year before shifting her focus to academic advising. She is now the Assistant Director of Student Success at SMSU. Kaitlyn is passionate about helping students throughout the college process as she was a first-generation student herself.

Kaitlyn, her husband (also an MNSU alum), and their twin daughters live in Marshall, MN. She chose to join the Alumni Board of Directors because she loved the opportunities she had while attending MNSU and wants to help current Mavericks and Mav Alum to reconnect with the university and each other.