Rose State College is proud of our students – past and present. This summer, we’re launching a series, “Glad I Chose Rose,” to highlight stories from Rose State alumni.
Meet Paige Stramski. Class of 2013.
Paige was a Ticket to Rose Student from Choctaw, Oklahoma. She knew she would have to pay for college on her own and took advantage of going to RSC.
Paige changed majors a couple of times, ultimately deciding to major in Liberal Studies. She then transferred to Oklahoma State University (OSU), where she majored in Marketing with a minor in Sports Management.
Paige said her time at RSC set her up for success at OSU. She took the lessons she learned and confidently completed her coursework.
Today, Paige works as the Director of Student Engagement at Rose State College. As a First-Generation college student, Paige understands the power and importance of education. A significant portion of her job involves recruiting students to RSC and helping them find their place on campus.
Paige said Dr. Jeanie Webb and Dr. Kirby Harzman were the two people who made the most significant impact on her as a student. Paige recalled one of her favorite memories being when Dr. Jeanie Webb offered her a spot in the President’s Leadership Class. She said that is where she found her confidence and her passion for higher education.
“I worked for Dr. Webb as a student before she became President,” said Paige. “When I met her, it clicked. I knew I wanted to be just like her. I quickly learned that no one is like Dr. Jeanie Webb, but I knew I wanted to try to learn from her. It’s been such an inspiration to watch her blaze trails in higher education, and getting to work under her has been a true privilege.”
“Dr. Kirby Harzman was the advisor for the Student Senate when I was serving as the Student Senate secretary,” Paige said
“I decided Dr. Kirby Harzman was going to be stuck with me forever,” Paige laughed. “Here we are over 10 years later, and she has spent countless hours mentoring me in more ways than just professionally. She has let me cry, laughed with me, celebrated with me, and been through so many facets of life with me. I am so proud to have her as my boss now.”
We asked Paige what advice she would give to RSC students, and she said, “Find what you love and do that. Don’t overextend yourself and try to do everything at once. Find your thing and be really good at it. You’ll find that the work is not so much work when it’s something you love.”
Paige also wanted to encourage students to communicate with their professors and to form good relationships with them. Paige understands that some students may be afraid to speak with their professors, but she said, “We have some of the best faculty in the world, and they’ll go to the ends of the earth to help you if you ask.”
Paige concluded, saying that Rose State College is truly a family. “You will not only survive here, but you also thrive here if you take advantage of all of the things the campus has to offer.”
