Meet Caitlin David, Kuyper's New Admissions Counselor

It was in Seoul, Korea, during the waning days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023 that Caitlin David took her first steps on the path to working for Kuyper College.

David, who recently joined the admissions team as its newest Admissions Counselor, had spent the previous four years as a second language English teacher to Korean students of all ages. Before that, she was heavily involved with the international student population at Michigan State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Arts and Humanities, with minors in both Educational Studies and Jewish Studies.

“I had a dream of working with international students at a college again, so I started looking at master’s programs that would allow me to do that,” she recalled.

After earning her Master of Education in College Student Affairs Leadership this May, David, who hails from Hesperia, Michigan, began searching for jobs that would help her live out that passion for helping students succeed in college while putting down roots a little closer to home.

“After going to MSU, spending a semester abroad in Jerusalem and working in Korea, I’d already had all the big city experiences, and I started thinking about where I might like to raise my own family someday,” she explained.

When the Kuyper position became available, it seemed to be a great fit. So far, her day- to-day duties have proved that initial instinct was correct.

“I get to coordinate with incoming students and their parents, helping them get onboarded and relieving their concerns,” she said. “And, in the coming months, I’ll be traveling to area high schools, talking about how great Kuyper is.”

David will also be part of the coaching team for the women’s volleyball program, something she is especially excited for as she played the sport all throughout middle and high school.

“I love volleyball, both watching it and playing it, so when the opportunity came up, I said, ‘Yeah, I’d love to help out,’” she remarked.

Sometimes, unique circumstances pop up during the college application process, but David says she enjoys these challenges. Plus, she added, her coworkers help smooth any bumps in the road.

“I try to help everyone navigate their situations in the best way possible. My background helps, but the Kuyper team helps too. I can very quickly ask questions and get help if I need to,” she said.

In fact, the community on campus is one of David’s favorite parts of her new role.

“It’s easy to work hard for a school and a team like the one at Kuyper. I want students to come here, because they’re going to get a robust education and life experience,” David said. “And I want to help the people that work here because they’re wonderful, and they do a great job for the students. It’s a jackpot kind of job.”

When she isn’t at work, David enjoys recharging through reading and playing video games – a passion she shares with much of her family – at her home on Grand Rapids’ West Side.