Columbia College–Lake of the Ozarks staff Q&A with Shayla Viele

Columbia College–Lake of the Ozarks staff Q&A with Shayla Viele

Viele takes time to pose with CC mascot Scooter the Cougar at Community Day 2011

Shayla Viele joined the Lake campus staff only three short months ago and has already managed to become an integral part of the office team. The May 2010 graduate of Columbia College–Lake of the Ozarks serves as an administrative assistant with a primary focus on enrollment management. As a recent alumna, Viele uses her experience as a student to make enrollment and managing class schedules as easy as possible for current students. She is extremely proud of her family (fiancé Eric and son Grant) and is a hiking and four wheeler enthusiast. Read more about the Camdenton, Mo., native:

Name: Shayla Viele

Alma Mater, Date of Graduation: Columbia College–Lake of the Ozarks, 2010

Family members: Fiancé Eric and son Grant

Years at Columbia College–Lake of the Ozarks:  Just a few months as an employee, but five years as a student!

Hobbies:  Right now it is Little League Baseball, in the winter it is Kids Wrestling Club… pretty much whatever my son is into. We also love hiking and four wheeling.

Favorite Movie and/or TV Show:  Hard to pick just one movie but I really like Shawshank Redemption.  As far as TV Shows, it would be The Good Wife.

Favorite kind of music/favorite artist/song:  My all time favorite musician is James Taylor… But I like lots of different music genres, especially bands like Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay and Taking Back Sunday.

Favorite Book:  My son and I read the Harry Potter Series together, and I think that fact pushes it over the top as my favorite.

Favorite Food: ITALIAN…yum!

Viele and her fellow history major graduates with Jim Pasley at the May 2010 commencement ceremony

Favorite subject in college:  History

When I was 10 years old, I wanted to be a ______? Teacher

What is the best part about working at Columbia College–Lake of the Ozarks?

Because I was a student at this campus, I know how wonderful the student experience is… I am so thankful that I get to be a part of making that experience wonderful for other students! 

What moment in your life are you the proudest of?  It would have to be the birth of my son, Grant.  However, graduating from Columbia College is a close second!

Best excuse you have heard from a student who was late with their work?  I haven’t had to hear any of these… yet J

What piece of advice would you impart to a student prior to graduation?

Be very proud of your hard work and dedication to finish, and don’t wear high heels to graduation… you don’t want to be the one who falls on stage!

Talk about your journey and what lead you to Columbia College–Lake of the Ozarks:

I was attending college when I became pregnant with my son and had to drop out. When he was a year old I decided that I wanted to finish my degree. Because I had a baby and a full time job, the program at Columbia College was appealing to me. I have to say that if it hadn’t been for the evening classes and the compassionate and dedicated staff at the Lake campus, I don’t think I would have ever been able to graduate!