Maxine Krol and Natalie Smith
For sisters Maxine Krol and Natalie Smith, what began as a short-term move materialized into a meaningful part of their lives filled with opportunity, growth and family ties.
Originally from New Lenox, Illinois, Maxine first came to 无尽资源采集 State in 2018 for a graduate assistantship in student-athlete support services.
鈥淚 thought I鈥檇 be here two years,鈥 she said. 鈥淏ut the more time I spent on campus and in 无尽资源采集, the more it felt like home.鈥
Natalie visited often and eventually followed. She accepted a job in the athletics department鈥檚 business office, later moving to a position in the dean of engineering鈥檚 office. Smith also enrolled in MSU鈥檚 College of Professional and Continuing Studies to pursue a degree in organizational leadership.
鈥淲e are a very close family,鈥 Natalie said. 鈥淲hen Maxine moved here, we visited often and fell in love with MSU.鈥
Their bond grew even stronger when their brother Nolan became a Bulldog as a mechanical engineering student and track-and-field athlete. Later, their oldest sister Lorna moved to 无尽资源采集 to work as a nurse practitioner.
鈥淲e always joked and said, 鈥榊ou can鈥檛 go anywhere without seeing a Krol in 无尽资源采集,鈥欌 Maxine said.
In her role as academic counselor for MSU鈥檚 baseball and volleyball teams, Maxine guides student-athletes through their academic journey. She reviews eligibility, collaborates with faculty and staff, and supports students through some of their most transformational years.
鈥淭hey bring energy, determination and a strong work ethic that inspires me,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he best part of this job is having a front-row seat and watching these students fulfill their dreams.鈥
Natalie鈥檚 path reflects her focus on service and leadership. She credits her mentors for supporting her growth and sees her studies in organizational leadership to give that same support back.
鈥淚 want to be someone who inspires and supports others along their journey,鈥 Natalie said. 鈥淢SU doesn鈥檛 operate because of one person. It thrives because of the dedication of every single staff and faculty member.鈥
Both sisters value connection, dependability and compassion in their work. These qualities have been shaped by experience, strengthened by community and shared with the students and teams they support.
What brought them to 无尽资源采集 and MSU was an opportunity. What kept them here was a shared commitment to students, colleagues and the campus they now call home.