Krysta's Coaching Offerings

PhD Program: Interview Coaching

Starting at $7684h+ of coaching

Write a Powerful Personal Statement

Craft winning personal statements through expert coaching.

Starting at $9505h+ of coaching

Craft a Compelling Research Proposal

Expert help brainstorming, drafting, and editing your research proposal.

Starting at $1,4728h+ of coaching

Krysta’s PhD Programs Qualifications

Coaches professionally

40+ people coached for PhD Programs

Krysta has helped clients get into these schools:

Over the last six years, I have coached hundreds of students at a large R1 institution, guiding them as they prepare for graduate and medical school applications. I work with applicants from personal statement ideation all the way through decision making and I can't wait to do the same with you. Whether you're applying for the first time or reapplying and need a fresh take on your application, I'm confident that my coaching experience will be an asset to you. My approach centers around making meaning of your experiences, helping you to find the connections to your future goals, and translating those in a way that will resonate with the admissions committee. Let's work together to help you achieve your goals!

Krysta can help with:

Letters of Recommendation

Essays

Application Strategy

Resume

Interviews

School Selection

Krysta also coaches for Medical School, Physician Assistant, Master’s Programs, and Career Coaching. View all.

Why do I coach?

As I said, helping others to discover THEIR purpose is MY purpose. Throughout my career, I’ve come to define my coaching style as individualized, person-first, and story-centric. Individualized: While your goals may be similar to others in your classes or in your professional spaces, your journey is fully your own. As your coach, you can count on me to customize our journey together to align with your learning style, play to your strengths, and provide support in the places where you’re still growing. Person-first: Applying to continuing education programs—whether masters, PhD, medical or PA school—is HARD. The process can be just as emotionally intensive as it is mentally intensive as you dig deep to tell your story, wait for responses from schools, mourn losses, and celebrate wins ON TOP OF navigating your normal day-to-day responsibilities. I firmly believe in the importance of bringing our whole selves to every space we enter; as your coach, you can expect that when I ask you how you are, I want the REAL answer. Story-centric: Since the beginning of time, story has become the way that we connect with other humans. And while the graduate/medical school admissions process requires plenty of strategy and careful thought, my experience with thousands of applicants has taught me that at the end of the day, story—when delivered with intention and aligned with the values of the profession and program—is the strongest tool in your toolkit when it comes to earning admission to your top institutions. By asking the right questions, and learning your experiences inside and out, I’m confident that I can help you to tell your stories in the most compelling way possible.

Work Experience

Associate Director of Career Services

Michigan State University

July 2023 - Present

• Build curriculum for LBC students related to career exploration and skill development to be incorporated into a variety of classes including core science classes, first year seminars, and internship/field experience seminars • Collaborate with faculty to lead research projects which contribute to a better understanding of undergraduate learning and career skill development • Create a graduate teaching fellowship to expand capacity for presenting career education materials in the classroom • Build upon existing programming to expand reach and engagement in career education outside of the classroom in programs including Briggs Career Chats, mock interviews, bespoke donor engagement, etc. • Create new programs to support student success and alumni engagement initiatives, including the development of a medical school preparation program • Establish and expand upon college, campus, and corporate partnerships with faculty, advisors and staff to develop programming that supports LBC’s curriculum and alumni engagement goals and generate additional revenue for college initiatives • Develop tools and processes to support the demonstration and articulation of student achievement of college and University learning outcomes • Consult with campus partners to scale and replicate curriculum, advising, and programming initiatives • Provide one-on-one advising for LBC students on a variety of career topics • Hire, train, and supervise a team of staff including, but not limited to, an Assistant Director, undergraduate career peer(s), and graduate practicum student(s)

Assistant Director of Career Services

Michigan State University

February 2020 - July 2023

• Provide 400+ one-on-one career advising appointments each academic year for STEM and pre-med students, providing coaching on topics including but not limited to professional documents, interview preparation, graduate and professional school applications and career exploration • Design career education curriculum initiatives and collaborate with college faculty to embed this content into Lyman Briggs College’s core curriculum in order to provide more equitable access to career resources for all students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds • Create and execute alumni mentorship programs in collaboration with development and alumni relations colleagues, improving alumni and student engagement across the college • Co-lead a five-person research team in conjunction with a collegiate faculty member to better understand how incorporating career education into the core science curriculum impacts students’ sense of self-efficacy, STEM identity, and sense of belonging, contributing to improved retention outcomes • Develop presentations, videos, and social/printable media based around career topics in order to engage students in the career education process in a multitude of physical and digital spaces • Train, mentor, and supervise a team of undergraduate and graduate student employees who support career events, programs, and advising initiatives • Serve as the primary administrator for Lyman Briggs College’s PeopleGrove mentoring platform, Briggs Connect, in order to help students across the college connect with alumni and peer mentors Project Management, Program Development and +9 skills

Instructor

Michigan State University

January 2021 - May 2021

• Developed course syllabus for the EAD 315 course in the College of Education, a course centered around leadership development and theories • Planned and executed lesson plans for each class period including content recaps, engaging activities centered around course objectives and discussion facilitation • Provided constructive feedback and insights by grading students’ assignments throughout the course Project Management, Teaching and +3 skills

Director of Alumni Relations

Lawrence Technological University

December 2016 - January 2020

• Coordinated academic, social, and life-long learning events and programs for alumni in the greater Detroit region and beyond to improve alumni engagement • Assessed events and programs, including event type, communications, logistics and follow up, to better meet the needs and expectations of the alumni population • Advised multiple alumni boards in the development of events and programs in order to create a better connection with alumni at large • Created and distributed event reports containing attendee data and giving history in support of the major gifts and annual giving team • Assessed and developed the alumni communication strategy to better align with alumni interests with the creation of new content and the development of a schedule • Managed and developed content for the alumni website and social media platforms Project Management, Program Development and +2 skills

Assistant Director of Student Life

Michigan State University

June 2015 - December 2016

• Advised the Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) undergraduate student government for Michigan State University, including providing leadership training, guidance, and programming assistance for its members • Coordinated and executed the contracting process for ASMSU, Residence Halls Association (RHA), Council of Racial & Ethnic Students (CORES), Council of Progressive Students (COPS), and other major student groups • Supervised ASMSU’s Business Manager; a full time staff member dedicated to managing the organization’s finance and operations as well as one Graduate Assistant dedicated to working with ASMSU • Advised the University Student Appeals Board in support of the Student Conduct Process • Planned and executed major campus events including the Off-Campus Housing Fair, Meijer Moonlight Madness, etc. • Coordinated professional development opportunities and activities for staff retreats in order to encourage growth and development within the Department of Student Life Project Management, Program Development and +4 skills

Interim Assistant Director

Western Michigan University

November 2014 - June 2015

• Advised and provided support for the Campus Activities Board (CAB) in the form of leadership development, programming processes, etc. • Coordinated contracts for the Campus Activities Board • Oversaw the budget for the Campus Activities Board, as well as those for large-scale programs including Homecoming and Bronco Bash • Coordinated the planning of large-scale University programs including Homecoming and Bronco Bash + Supervised and trained 6 undergraduate student event coordinators in the coordination of Bronco Bash and Homecoming • Supervised 2 graduate assistants in their advising, supervising, and programming roles • Supported 350+ Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) through providing information about on-campus resources and general advising • Developed tools to assess and evaluate programs, student leadership outcomes, and overall departmental impact in support of the strategic plan Project Management, Coaching and +2 skills

Education

Western Michigan University

Master of Arts - MA, Educational Leadership- Higher Education & Student Affairs

2013 - 2015

Concentration: Higher Education & Student Affairs

Lawrence Technological University

Bachelor of Science - BS, Business Management

2008 - 2012

Activities and societies: Students Planning Activities Monthly (SPAM)- Executive Director Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority- Vice President of Membership Development