Kate Oberle Krouse, Senior Research Specialist, Kent State University

How did you get into fundraising and/or prospect research? 

As a student at Kent State, I applied to be a student caller just because I knew they were always hiring students. I ended up loving the job and then worked as a phone center manager for a few colleges as my first job out of college! I was introduced to prospect research while working with the advancement offices of the schools I worked and I knew that’s what I wanted to transition to. I love that I still get to have an impact in fundraising for the university but in a more behind the scenes way!

What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?

The benefit of cats! I have two DSH tigers and they are amazing.

What are you reading now?

I love to read and am always reading more than one book a time! Currently, I am reading Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker which is a study of a family that had 6 children diagnosed with schizophrenia and I am listening to What Happened to You? by Oprah and Bruce Perry. I also just finished A Little Life by Hanya Yangihara which is VERY long and VERY sad but so gorgeously written and thought provoking.

How many hours do you get to the airport before a flight?

I am one of the weird people that actually like hanging out in airports so if I am traveling alone, I usually get to the airport 3 hours or more before I need to! When I travel with my husband, he makes me be a little more reasonable with my timing

Do you think iced coffee should only be consumed in the summer or all year round?

ALL YEAR ROUND! I will drink iced coffee even if its blizzarding outside!