Alumni Outcomes: Where Are They Now?

2007 - Kaitlin Stephens

Director of Choral Activities, Clermont Northeastern Middle and High School
B.S. Music Education
After graduating in 2007, I have been able to obtain a career in music education, which allows me to work with many different grade levels throughout the day. I am currently a chorus teacher that travels between the middle school and high school of a local school district. I know that I would not have been able to accept this position if it wasn't for the training that I received through Xavier's music education program. During my years in the department, I was able to hone my skills in teaching music to students of different age groups through relevant lectures and lots of practical application. I feel absolutely confident in my teaching abilities and am very prepared when it comes to organizing concerts and performances outside of school. Through the knowledgeable professors, excellent private instructors, and opportunities to perform at Xavier University, I have attained the abilities necessary to succeed in my field. I wouldn't change that for the world.

Regional Director of Recruitment, St. Louis University
B.S. Music Education
My degree from Xavier's music education program has given me many skills to enrich my current career as an regional admission recruiter. I may not teach music in a school right now but I still use my skills in student development to work with high school students in helping them find a college that will give them the experience they are looking to have. The biggest skill I took away from my experiences in the music education program is public speaking and performing. I speak to groups that range from 2 students to 200+ students and families. Through my public speaking in the classroom and performing concerts each semester I have the confidence in myself to stand up infront of these groups. The biggest thing about graduating from Xavier's music education program is the experiences you can have outside of the classroom. Whether that is getting involved wtih clubs and organizations or your core class requirements you get to learn more about your interests and skills than you ever imagined.

Retired Public School Music Educator, Northwest High School
M.Ed. Education
I retired from being a Public School Music Educator after 35 years, in June of 2007. I received my initial Bachelor's Degree from U.C.'s College-Conservatory of Music. I received my MEd from Xavier in 1993. Getting my degree not only gave me an increase in pay, but it also allowed me to be the Music Department Chair at Northwest HS. I also taught String Methods for several years at X.U. In addition, I have also been a part time faculty member at Miami University's Music Dept.
Over the years, I have received numerous awards for Music Education, including Ohio's Best Practices Award, OOSTA Outstanding Public School Orchestra Director, the University of Cincinnati's USA Outstanding Educator Award, and the Great American Outstanding Educator Award. I have been very active in OMEA, and currently serve as the state's Orchestra Affairs Chair for Adjudicated Events. I have been a supporter of the Cincinnati Symphony and have worked in curriculum writing for their Young People's Concerts for years. I believe I was given the tools to accomplish these things, plus develop an extremely successful Music and Orchestra program due to the extended coursework and Master's Degree I received at Xavier. I enjoyed working with the faculty both as a student and colleague. I'm appreciative of the opportunities X.U. has provided over the years.