Alissa Vandeven of Leopold, Mo., knows Southeast Missouri State University inside and out.
Alissa was a student employee on campus throughout her undergraduate years, receiving her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southeast in 1995. Immediately after graduating, she stayed on the Southeast campus, accepting a job in the Human Resources office. She then earned her master’s degree from Southeast in business administration in 2000, and she is now the assistant director of human resources at Southeast. She has been employed in Human Resources for 14 years.
Needless to say, Alissa has experienced Southeast from all sides of the spectrum.
A dedicated employee who enjoys new challenges, Alissa says she chose to work in human resources because she “enjoys working with people, and human resources seemed to be a good fit, enabling me to work with people and enhance their work experience from a strategic level.”
Her job requires her to work with employee insurance, administration needs, employee relations and staff employment.
Alissa and her husband Brad have two daughters: Jenny, 8, and Christa, 4.
She and Brad are avid KISS fans, having gone to five KISS concerts, she says. When she is not working or going to KISS concerts, Alissa spends her time reading Tess Gerritsen or James Patterson novels, coaching junior girls’ club volleyball, participating in local school foundation activities, or watching St. Louis Blues hockey games.
Alissa offers students advice from her own experience.
“Get involved in both academics and extracurricular activities, and gain work experience during your college years,” she says