Kara Partin

Question: Tell me about your family. 

Answer: Most of my family has lived in the Cincinnati area for generations. I have my grandparents, whom I lived with for a long time, my mom and dad, and an older sister who is six years older than me. I also have two nephews and a niece. 

Question: Where are you from? What made you move to/represent WV?

Answer:  I grew up in a small town about an hour east of Cincinnati. It had around 4,000 people when I was growing up, so it was a very small, rural community surrounded by farmland. 

I went to school to become an educator and originally worked in secondary education. While I was in college, I began exploring other career opportunities that would allow me to remain in education. When my partner, Drew, accepted a job in West Virginia, I started looking for opportunities here. I knew I still wanted to work in higher education, which ultimately led me to WVU. 

Question: What do you do in your spare time?

Answer: I love swimming, hiking, and reading. Lately, I have also been watching a lot of gardening videos on YouTube. One of my friends and I recently started writing letters to each other because our text messages were already turning into little novels. She still lives in Ohio, so it has been a fun way for us to stay connected. 

Question:  If you could describe WVU's impact on the state in one word, what would it be?

Answer: I would describe it as opportunity. WVU gives people hope while also providing tangible opportunities and resources that feel accessible when they need them. 

Question: What would you say is WVU’s greatest strength?

Answer: WVU’s greatest strength is its network of people and resources. People genuinely care and know where to direct someone who needs help. When you ask for support, people are willing to step in and connect you with the right resources. I have not experienced that same level of initiative everywhere else. 

Question:  Where is your favorite place to visit in West Virginia?

Answer: I love Lewisburg. It reminds me of a place near Cincinnati called Loveland, where Drew and I had our first dates. Both have bike trails, cute shops, and a lot of charm. Lewisburg also reminds me of Gettysburg because of its history. When I visited, I immediately thought, “This is amazing.” 

Question: What is your favorite West Virginia event/tradition?

Answer:  What stands out most to me is the amount of school spirit surrounding WVU. You do not see that level of dedication everywhere. As a first-generation commuter student, I did not have the traditional campus-life experience at my university. I really respect how deeply people care about WVU, even if they did not attend the University themselves.           

Question: How does your work at Mountaineer Parents Club impact WVU?

Answer:  We serve as a support system for families, whether they are first-generation families, alumni families or anyone looking for a direct connection to the University. Families can casually reach out to us and know that we have their backs. We connect them with resources, invite them to events, and help them support their students. 

When families send their students to WVU, they are also trusting us with someone they care about. We want them to know that we are here for them, too. 

Question: What does a day in the job look like for you?

Answer: My days require a balance between behind-the-scenes work and being present on campus. I manage emails, outreach, planning, and other logistical tasks, but I am also frequently on campus helping with programs and volunteering at events. There is a frontline aspect to the role as well as the work required to organize those experiences. 

Question: What is the most rewarding part of your role?

Answer:  The most rewarding part is seeing the relief on the faces of students and their families when they realize they have a safe place to land. Because I come from an education background, taking care of students and helping people feel supported is very important to me. 

For many families, we are one of their first connections to WVU. Learning that there is a dedicated Mountaineer Parents Club can make them feel more confident about their student coming here. It is especially meaningful when families reach out later to tell us how much they appreciated having that resource. 

Question: What is one thing you wish people understood more about what you do?

Answer:  I wish more people knew that joining the Mountaineer Parents Club is completely free. Families sometimes assume it is a paid membership or that they will be required to volunteer, but there are no fees or participation requirements. 

We provide families with information, resources, and opportunities to stay connected. If someone wants to take a more active role, they can reach out to us, but there is no heavy lifting required on their end.