Leading the Way for Change: Kristin Eicholtz on Equity in Collegiate Athletics
This March, Trexler Library is celebrating the faculty and staff who have and continue to pave the way in women’s athletics and leadership.
Kristin Eicholtz, executive director of the Career Development Center, is this week’s Faculty Feature!
Name: Kristin Eicholtz
Role: Executive Director of Career Development
Number of Year(s) at DeSales: 13
Trexler Library: Tell us a little about yourself! What motivated you to pursue the field of career development? How has athletics impacted you?
Kristin Eicholtz: I received my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education (with minors in Sociology and I/O Psychology) from Marywood University. While a student at Marywood I was actively engaged in leadership experiences from SGA, to Orientation, to being a Student Athlete on the Women’s Basketball team. It was my out-of-the-classroom experiences that helped me grow to love what higher education provides in the way of career development.
I had a mentor who opened my eyes to pursuing a profession in Student Affairs in Higher Education and assisted me in taking the skills I learned as an undergrad to apply to various graduate programs for higher education. It was the time management, teamwork, communication, and work ethic that I learned through playing a collegiate sport that I was able to successfully apply to and get accepted to graduate schools.
I attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and during my time there I served as the graduate assistant in their Career Development Center. This truly opened my eyes to what career development does to help college students become more self-aware and work toward finding meaningful post-graduation success. Due to my positive experiences as a GA in Career Development, I decided to make this my career path.
Post-graduation I worked for 5 years as a Career Advisor at Virginia Tech, and for the last 13 years have been leading the Career Center at DeSales University. Because of the opportunity I had to play college sports, I am able to work closely with student athletes and understand where they are coming from with their successes and challenges. It is always a pleasure to speak with our sports teams at DeSales.
Trexler: What is the best part of your role at DeSales while working with students?
Kristin: DeSales’ students are truly one of a kind! From their work ethic to their overall compassion, they make it a joy to come to work each day. I have a lot to be thankful for in my position, and it is watching my career ambassadors and associates mentor their peers and coach them on post-graduation preparation that absolutely warms my heart.
Trexler: What impact has a library or Trexler Library had on you as an educator / career mentor?
Kristin: The Trexler Library has provided comfortable and quiet workspaces for students to meet with one another, and for the Career Center to present on topics from Career Readiness to Interview Preparation. We always appreciate the kindness of the staff in the library.
Trexler: What would you like to see changed or improved upon in women’s sports or concerning gender equality in athletics?
Kristin: During the 2022 March Madness season, Oregon basketball player Sedona Prince tweeted a video showing a fully equipped weight room for the men's basketball tournament being held in Indiana, while those participating in the women's championship got a weight room in San Antonio that had one dumbbell set that topped out at 30 pounds and some yoga mats. "If you don't see the problem, then you're a part of it," Prince said in the video.
As a female college athlete, my team and I experienced similar inequities from locker room size/space differences, to the types of food we were provided while on the road, and to the amount of money we were given for warm up uniforms and sneakers were vastly different from the men’s team. This is something that needs to be addressed, and not even at the college level, but for young ladies at all levels who play organized sports!
Trexler: What female public figure, past or present, inspires you and why?
Kristin: Princess Diana was always someone I admired and felt inspired by. Her commitment and to her two boys, her charity work, her love and support for ALL people, and her simple way of living was incredibly noteworthy. And something that not many people new was that she was an accomplished swimmer and diver! She too was a female athlete!
Trexler: What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Kristin: Women’s History Month is important to me because it highlights the achievements of women both past and present who have helped build and mold our country. Most importantly women throughout history have created opportunities for me and so many others. It is also a time where I stop to think about all the beautiful women in my friend and family circle who share with me their many talents, wisdom, confidence, and beauty.
Stay tuned for next week’s edition of Faculty Feature Friday for Women’s History Month!
