Rachel (Campbell) Harrison attended Geneva because she wanted a well-rounded education and cared about Geneva’s strong values. In May of 2017, she graduated with a business administration degree and a human resource management concentration. She found that her education prepared her for success in her vocation and with confidence and skills to pursue faithful service in all areas of her life.
Geneva checked the boxes of her college search and instantly “felt like a home away from home after [the] first or second visit.” The integration of faith and learning and the deep care and commitment of faculty and staff members helped Rachel to focus on her studies and discern her steps after graduation.
“I considered other more rigorous business programs [and] academic institutions when looking for a college. But I realized I did not want the course load without the calling, which Geneva made clear it emphasized.”
The guidance of business professor Gary VanderPlaats, PhD, was particularly impactful for Rachel.
“[He] prayed before his 8am classes. He would pray for us to 'labor hard and well in His vineyards.’ I used to meditate on those words during my commutes through traffic in Pittsburgh. Now, on my current commute through the New York Finger Lakes region, I find this sentiment even more relatable.
“I gained a deep understanding of my calling while at Geneva and am grateful to have been shaped beyond the classroom by the faculty and staff of the College.”
Rachel’s experience in Geneva’s business department, and her subsequent participation in the Pittsburgh Fellows Program, gave her lifelong skills that she continues to rely upon for her work in human resources today. As an HR manager, Rachel makes key decisions for her organization. She continues to draw upon skills she gained while at Geneva, including what she learned in classes outside of her HR curriculum, such as management, accounting, and finance classes.
“Being able to step into the workforce with a solid skillset and an understanding of my calling has been foundational to the career growth and success I have experienced so far.”
Rachel continuously seeks ways to integrate her faith into her vocation. The field of HR provides countless opportunities to engage with people and serve them in love.
“My faith impacts who I am as a practitioner, which dictates how I serve the organization and its staff. My desire to leave people and processes better than I found them guides me in being prayerful about my interactions and decisions with this position.”
A Geneva education is one that echoes throughout students’ lives long after they graduate. Not only was Rachel prepared for a successful career, but she was also prepared to live a faithful life in service to God and neighbor.
“Geneva gave me a great collegiate experience and grew me in more ways than I could have anticipated — and for that I will always be grateful.
“I have found myself again and again grateful for the well-rounded business program Geneva offered and the steadfast faculty and staff it provided. To those still with the department and those that no longer are, thank you for the lessons and mentoring you gave to so many students like me.”
- Mattigan Burleigh '24
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