Global experiences, teamwork, and service are three hallmarks of a Kelley School education. Several Kelley staff members helped facilitate these experiences for students during trips around the world over Spring Break.
Kelley staff go global
7 Questions with...
Ben Taylor
Associate Director of Student Communities, Undergraduate Program
At Kelley eight years in June
Lexington, Kentucky. You may not hear the Southern twang in my voice, but I do identify strongly with the beautiful bluegrass region—horse farms, sweet tea, rolling hills, and of course, Kentucky bourbon.
Our 9-year-old daughter, Vivian, keeps me and my partner, Kerrie, busy these days between gymnastics, art, piano, soccer, choir, and her burgeoning social life. My greatest passion is probably music. I am a guitarist, pianist, and singer myself, and I love listening to all kinds of music. I can often be found at an indie rock show or browsing the vinyl at Landlocked Music on South Walnut. I should also mention my enthusiasm for hiking, travel, soccer (Liverpool Football Club), and great coffee. If you want to have the best cup in town, stop by my kitchen for a single-origin pour over (where I’ll happily drone on about what those terms all mean).
I have won two awards in my career: Thesis of the Year in my MA program for my thesis on social justice education in service-learning, and “Outstanding Co-Curricular Educator” during my final year at Messiah College, right before I came to Kelley. What I love about these awards is that they symbolize the work and investment of many mentors, colleagues, and students in my life, and I think about all those people whenever I see them on my shelf.
Breakfast at Inkwell (Broken Yolk on English Muffin), lunch at Siam House (Thai Fried Rice), dinner at Osteria Rago (Cacio e Pepe).
I love poetry, so I will quote from two of the greats:
“Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes).” –Walt Whitman, Song of Myself 51
“Expect the end of the world. Laugh. Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful, though you have considered all the facts.” –Wendell Berry, The Mad Farmer Liberation Front
Working with the folks in the JLLC, Kelley Honors, Student Life, as well as the Undergraduate leadership team—every day reminds me of my two favorite things: our staff and our students. I never want to take for granted the privilege to work alongside brilliant, kind, creative, caring people. Our staff humble me with their passion and commitment, and our students sharpen me and teach me something every day.
Visiting my grandparents at their cottage on a lake in Michigan—some of my happiest, most carefree summer days: my grandmother playing Scott Joplin rags on the piano and baking cookies every day; my grandfather, who only just passed away last summer, teaching us to tack into the wind on his sailboat.
Kelley Calendar
Explore more eventsBook Club
Because graduation is just around the corner, we’re taking two months to read our next selection, “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver. Read it during April and May, then join us the first Wednesday in June for discussion.
On Wednesday, April 5, we’ll be discussing “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle, which we read during March in honor of International Women’s Month. If you’ve read or listened to the book, join us at noon in HH 3026.
Get updates
Super short survey
When do you write your daily to-do list? Answer to be entered in a drawing for Kelley-branded office supplies.
Answer survey
From the Kelley blog
See how six Kelley students from the Full-Time MBA Program creatively solved a challenge for Taco Bell and took first place in a case competition at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School named for the late civil rights icon John Lewis.
Read more
Congratulations to Danny on his retirement!
Danny Sperling, Mail Clerk, 41 years (22 years with Kelley)
Employee milestones
Perfecto Caparas, Undergraduate Program (3 months with Kelley)
Ashley Coffman, Full-Time MBA Program
On the move
- Addison Breaux, Department of Finance, Administrative Assistant
- Allison Deerr, Office of Development & Engagement, Assistant Director of Development, Corporate & Foundation Relations
- Marcus Dennis, Office of Marketing & Communications, Associate Director of Marketing Masters and Executive MBA Programs
- Brenda Espinoza, Office of Development & Engagement, Stewardship Officer
- Steven Knipp, KSBIT: Operations, IT User Support Tech
- Samantha Stalion, Office of Marketing & Communications, Director of Marketing for Academic Programs
- Gabrielle Steenberger, Office of Marketing & Communications, Videographer
- Fruzsina Szabo, Undergraduate Program, Administrative Coordinator
- Makayla Thomas, Business Office, Accounting and Financial Support Specialist
- Jim Lewis, Office of Development & Engagement, Director of Development, Major Gifts
- Jeffrey Crites, from KSBIT: Systems to KSBIT: Operations, IT User Support Tech
- Kylie Smith, from Kelley Direct to Graduate Accounting and Graduate Finance programs, Director of Operations
- Lennon Cummings, Undergraduate Program
- Jamie Gathing, Undergraduate Program
- Emily Hake, Office of Marketing & Communications
- Ryan Stringer, Graduate Accounting Program
Quick Links
Got an Idea?
We want to hear from you! Send suggestions for the We Are Kelley Staff Hub to KSBstaff@indiana.edu.
New Degrees and Program Initiatives
- Inclusive Leadership Certificate, special Kelley staff rate available
- Building Inclusive Connections for an Integrated Workforce webinar, Wednesday, May 19, noon ET
Wanted: Your Ideas
Have a suggestion for the staff newsletter? Email ksbstaff@indiana.edu.