Name: Caryn Lukasek, but everyone calls me Cara
Position: Center for Adult Learning admission counselor
Education background: Viterbo University, B.B.A., accounting, with a writing minor, 2011; Kansas State University, M.S., adult occupational and continuing education, anticipated summer 2015.
Previous employer and position/Past experience as related to current position: For the past two-plus years I have been working as an education counselor on different Marine Corps Air Stations (MCAS Iwakuni Japan and MCAS Miramar, Calif.) helping service members and their family members identify, pursue, and achieve their academic goals. The service members have crazy-busy, ever-changing schedules and their family members are responsible for keeping the household under control, so I understand the elaborate orchestration it takes for adults to attend school. I look forward to using my skills, knowledge, and experiences to assist adults in the community pursue their goals through Viterbo University’s Center for Adult Learning.
Hometown: The short answer is La Crosse. The long answer is I was born in Zambia, spent the majority of my childhood in Lilongwe, Malawi, and then moved to La Crosse during high school. In many ways I still consider Lilongwe, Malawi, my hometown.
Why did you choose Viterbo as your next employer? I chose Viterbo because I had a wonderful experience attending Viterbo for my undergraduate work, and I wanted to be a part of the campus community responsible for not only providing an excellent education, but also instilling values in which I believe.
Of the five Viterbo values, which resonates with you most and why? Of Viterbo’s five values, stewardship and service resonate with me the most because I want to be a part of making this world a better place for future generations. That involves preserving the environment and fostering dynamic, socially-conscious communities.
Hobbies: In my free time I enjoy travelling, discovering local restaurants with my husband, relaxing on the couch reading, baking cakes and cookies, and crocheting hats and blankets in fun colors.