Christina graduated from Nordonia High School in 2007. There she was a cheerleader for football and basketball, played softball and was involved in Leadership, Project Love and other student groups. Outside of school, she danced competitively and held a part-time job.
She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Baldwin Wallace University majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Communication Studies. She continued her involvement in college by joining Delta Zeta sorority and became president her senior year. She had the opportunity to travel for conferences and summits and enjoyed planning large events and programs. Christina cheered at BW for football, basketball and the competition squad. She was a captain her senior year and transferred her love for cheerleading to coaching at a local middle school her junior and senior year.
After graduating in May of 2011 with her bachelor’s, she continued at BW and completed her Master of Arts in Education degree in the Leadership in Higher Education program. During grad school she focused on her passion for working with college students and guiding them as future leaders. Christina was the graduate intern in the Office of Commuter Services and Career Services. She completed practicum experiences at Cleveland State University and Notre Dame College. During the summer between her first and second year, she traveled to the University of South Carolina where she worked in the Office of Student Engagement. Throughout grad school, she had the opportunity to travel for conferences and also to be part of a conference planning committee for a state wide organization. She presented several times at the annual conference on various topics of leadership and tips for student success.
She continued coaching cheerleading during grad school, moving up to a local high school as their varsity and JV coach. She also had the chance to serve as the assistant coach for Baldwin Wallace’s cheerleading squad. She advised a couple student organizations and sought out as many learning opportunities as possible. She graduated in May of 2013 with her master’s in education and a hope to land her dream job while remaining in the Cleveland area.
One month after graduating, Christina accepted the position as Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Leadership at Lakeland Community College. The Office oversees the student organizations, New Student Orientation, Welcome Week activities, Involvement Fairs, Student Conduct, the Emerging Leaders Program, Alternative Spring Break and other campus wide events. In this role she is able to work one on one with student leaders and advisers to help them with event planning, fundraising, recruitment efforts, conflict management and publicity. She has the opportunity to plan large scale events and work with numerous departments and community partners to support students and encourage them to get involved on campus.
Christina says the most rewarding part of her job is to see a quiet and nervous student get involved on campus and join a club, then grow to become an officer or even the president of a group. It’s wonderful to see their confidence level increase throughout their interactions and to help them see how they can apply the leadership skills they have developed to their work and future. The most important thing she’s learned in this role is that a little extra kindness and compassion can go a long way when building relationships with student leaders. Everyone has a story and you have to take the time to get to know someone and try to help them see their own strengths and then figure out how to utilize them.
In her free time, Christina enjoys exploring the city of Lakewood where she’s lived for 4 years, doing yoga, golfing, cheering on all of the Cleveland sports teams (yes, even the Browns) photography, spending time with friends, family, her boyfriend Alec, and doing all things CLE! Growing up so close to Cleveland has instilled a strong sense of pride and appreciation for all the city has to offer.
Christina is very grateful for her Nordonia education and several impactful teachers and administrators along the way. She’ll always have a special place in her heart for her hometown.
Would you like to submit a Where are they now? Email juliedaloiso@gmail.com
