Featured Falcons: Columbia Young

What is your name and current title with the University of Montevallo?
Columbia Young, assistant director of graduate recruitment and retention.

Where are you from and what city do you currently reside in?
I am from Elkmont, Alabama, and I currently live in Pelham.

If you hold any degrees, what are they in and from what schools?
I have a bachelor’s degree from UM in exercise science and a master’s degree in Higher Education from Mississippi State University.

How long have you worked here? 
Ten months, almost a year!

Did you hold any previous positions here? If so, what are they?
Not full time. I worked as a resident assistant and a residence hall director in undergrad and that is how I got my start in higher ed.

What brought you to Montevallo?
Initially, Montevallo called to me because of the culture. I was pulled in by the way it looked from the outside and it seemed just far enough away from home for me to thrive in a new environment. I came back to serve the community that gave me so much. It is amazing getting to see the same program I graduated from begin a master’s program and continue to educate new students.

What’s the best thing about working for Montevallo?
It is powerful to be able to guide people where they want to go. Coming back to school can be really intimidating and I am very grateful to be a part of their career journeys.

Do you have any interesting stories about one of your favorite experiences here?
Ramsay Hall is the first building I ever lived in and was an RA in, and now my office is in that same building!

What’s your proudest accomplishment since being at UM?
Being able to come back and serve the community that gave me so much has been so rewarding.

What does Montevallo mean to you?
Montevallo means growth to me. I have experienced a great amount of diversity and open-mindedness on this campus ever since I was a student here. My current role in the Graduate Office is challenging as well in many ways, and I have experienced rapid growth on this campus in all different phases of my life.