Hello, you are listening to who's that Star? On LCC Connect at Lansing Community College. Who's that Star Is a behind the scenes show all about the employees who work at LCC. It is an inside look where you will hear what LCC is like from different perspectives. I talk to employees about their passions, projects, what inspires them both at work and in their personal life. This show is for you to get to know the great people behind the scenes at LCC. I'm your host, Julianna Blain. And I would love, love it if you call me by my nickname, Juji. I'm so glad you're listening. Now let's get into the good stuff. Let's find out who's that Star. All right. Are you ready to meet our star today? The LCC star that you will hear from today is a person that really she inspires me to be my best self. She works in the human resources department and she cares deeply for other people and their well being. This person is a kind of person that makes you feel safe. You feel like you can come to with questions and feel heard and valued. She has worked here for about 10 years and she loves her job. Okay, it's time. Let's find out who this person is and what motivates her to be so positive. Also, let's find out why she likes her job so much. Alright, studio band, can you hit that drum roll for me please? Our star today is Nikki Cogswell. Nikki, I am grateful to have you on the show and the crowd is too, as you can tell. Thank you so much for being here. Okay, let's get started. I would love to know a little more about you. Oh, the crowd is just really going wild today. But I want to first talk about, can you tell me how did you get started at LCC?

I got started here at LCC by working through Kelly Temp Services and that was my third time working for Kelly Temp Services and I did a permanent position here by applying.

So we're starting out the interview here. Let's move to a funner question to start. So we talked about this before and you have a very controversial opinion. I asked you go green or go blue and you told me doesn't matter,.

Support the mitten either way.

How do people respond when when you tell them that?

Not a very good response.

Oh my gosh. Personally I am of the go green because I went to MSU and loved it and it's just really cool to have that like spartan spirit. But I really like your approach.

We all live in Michigan. We need to support our Michigan teams.

Support that mitten.

Go green and go blue.

Oh, I thought you were gonna say go white. I can hope. All right, so let's do some fun. Let's talk about some fun stuff. What is the most daring thing that you've ever done? You mentioned before that you were. You're terrified of heights, and we talked about something you did, and I was like, oh, my goodness. We've got to talk about this.

Yes, we do. Zip lining for the first time when I'm afraid of heights. On the ocean.

On the ocean.

In a cruise ship.

In a cruise ship. Nikki, that is brave. I'm scared of heights too. I'm trying to get over it, but it is quite difficult. So how did you kind of, like, first of all, who talked you into it?

Myself, actually.

Really?

I really wanted to zip line. It looks so much fun, and I still can't overcome my fear. And I did it. I screamed the entire way, and then I thought, you know what? I'm gonna give it a second shot. So I went on a vacation in Florida to a timeshare that we have, and I tried it again, and the guy running the zipline could not stop laughing with my husband and kids because I screamed the entire way. The whole resort was wondering what was happening at the zip line.

Nikki's going on the zip line. That's what's happen.

That was the second and final time.

Do you think you'd go on a zipline again?

Maybe in a basket on a zip line Might feel a little more secure.

Let's talk about how you feel about skydiving then. Obviously, you're so excited about that.

Actually, I had contemplated that on my bucket list, Nikki. Wow. But I will not be doing that. After zip lining, I decided I don't think skydiving's gonna work.

Maybe not the heights. Maybe not the heights. No. Oh, my goodness.

Oh.

Oh, my God. Well, that's really courageous of you to get up there and do it, because for me, it's always. I don't know about you. That moment when you're, like, about to go, like, you put out your arms, maybe, like, grab the zip line, and it's like, right before. I don't know about you, but my stomach drops. I, like, want to run back onto the little platform. I want to get out of there. I'm like, why am I doing this? I question every life choice I've made. Is it a similar reaction for you?

Oh, yes, it is. In fact, if I remember correctly, I think maybe my child My husband actually pushed me off the platform because I stood there so long.

A helping hand, huh?

Yeah, exactly.

Very helpful. All right, so let's talk about what do you do for fun? Like, what does it look like just to. I know you work really hard and we'll get into that, but like, what does having fun look like for you?

Spending time with friends and family. I really enjoy my kids and I really, truly enjoy scrapbooking. Going on girls retreats, weekends.

Oh, that's fun.

And we have now call them girls retreat weekends instead of just scrapbooking weekends because we do all kinds of fun things and all kinds of craft things.

It's official girls retreat weekend.

That's right. So it's a blast. I love it. It just is my outlet. And.

And there's nothing like a good, like when you have a good group of friends and you go away with your girlfriends, you know, maybe, you know, men have it too. But like, just. There's something truly special, like just getting together with your girlfriends, like laughing. Like for me, it's non stop laughing with. With my friends. How about for you? Is it kind of that?

It is. We have such great times. We have sad times. We have each other's backs.

Yeah.

And it's truly an outlet where it's judge free, judgment free.

I should say judgment free zone.

It's very nice to have that.

Yeah, that's. I think, I think we all need that because it just allows you to like, be able to really be who you are and not worry like, oh, what are they thinking? What are they going to say? All those types of anxieties that plague.

Absolutely. I completely agree with you.

Good friend group. Love it. So scrapbooking social. All right, well, let's talk about LCC. So I know you work in the HR department. Can you tell me a little bit about what is kind of your favorite things about working here? What do you do here? What? Tell me, tell me everything.

I love higher education. I actually mentioned in our pre interview that I actually started off as a work study at Baker College in the financial aid and business office. And I had a great mentor there. And I really love numbers and education. And also, oddly enough, my degree is an administrative assisting and that is my current position.

Oh my gosh. That not many times does that happen that people, well, go to school and do what they, you know, went to school for. You hear a lot of time like, oh, I went to school for this, but I'm doing this now, so.

Wow. Yeah. So I love it. I think I've landed In the spot that I belong. I love assisting and helping others, helping them look good. I like to be behind the scenes.

So this is a stretch for you, being on the radio?

Yes, it is, very much so.

Kind of like doing a zip line.

Yeah, exactly. And, you know, just serving those and helping connect people with resources across the campus.

Yeah.

And it's not just about the employees. It's also about the students here. We handle the student employment and seeing those students come in, it's just great to hear their stories and they open up to you. They're so willing to talk and share their experiences or where they're from. It's great. I just love it. It's so humbling.

Yeah, I think that you make a really good point. It's really. It's so good. I was a student employee here at Lansing Community College a long time ago and now I'm back, you know, after graduating, all the things. But. And I love it here. But to your point, working with students is so important because I think it helps them get to know what it's like to work at an institution. You know, it gives them great work experience. I really, you know, I think I came back to work at LCC because I was a student employee and it really just like I really enjoyed the experience and liked how it felt working here. And I think people like you who, you know, are really willing to help other people, like you said, you kind of make that environment for people. So what are some of your favorite accomplishments here at LCC or just in general?

I would have to say I'm pretty proud of the org charts that I am responsible for. Yeah, I really enjoy doing that. Kind of helps me pull out my crafty side, really. And they serve a great purpose. They're very resourceful for our staff.

And I know I turn to those when I need to find, okay, who works for this person and how do I get a hold of them? You know, that's also kind of. It seems like maybe a small thing to somebody who doesn't know, but like keeping organiz organizational charts updated for an institution especially this size, that's got to. That's a pretty daunting task.

It can be, but I really, truly enjoy it. I love data. Pulling it all together and Yep. I love my numbers and it's just great.

You got me there. I am not the fan of the numbers.

I'm like, so a lot of people aren't they run.

I know who to call when I have a problem. A member problem. Nikki, help.

That's great.

Yeah. So it sounds like you really like working in hr. You like helping people. What is something that you feel like you bring to the table? That maybe I like to say it's like your special sauce that's like here at LCC that you just love to do or share with people in your everyday work.

I would say really connecting with the people here is so personable. You truly do belong here. We work so well together, and I really just love the work that we do. And there's always something different. It seems like every day, which you never get bored.

Little variety.

There's a great variety. It's just. It's a great place. I don't even. It's so hard to say.

You're smiling so big right now.

I love it here. And I just. I just enjoy doing the work. And I have a very good work ethic. I just like to work. I've always taken pride in myself in that I'm very dedicated to my job.

I've seen that in you, too. Just from working together as co workers. You're always willing to help. I'm also an administrative assistant for you who is listening on the other side of the airwaves. So Nikki and I are both administrative assistants. I'm an administrative assistant to Deanbo Garcia in community Education Workforce development, also known as Seaweed, hashtag plugging my division there. And Nikki is administrative assistant to James Mitchell. The. Go ahead and take it away, Nikki.

Yes. I support not only our human resources department, but most directly, the executive leadership team. Hr Executive Director of Human Resources, James Mitchell.

Yeah. Shout out to James Mitchell.

Absolutely.

But, yeah, also in your accomplishments. I think we had talked about how it kind of. I'm kind of seeing a trend here with you. It's kind of like getting outside of your comfort zone, even just speaking on this broadcast show, doing the zip line, things like that. But you talked about how another one of your biggest accomplishments or things that you're proud of is kind of around public speaking. Could you share a little about that?

Yeah, absolutely. That is one thing that I will always remember and take away from LCC is the fact that I had overcome talking in front of people with one of the first DICE meetings. I had never met a lot of the individuals. I was new, and it was very daunting. But when you're thrown into something, it's amazing what you realize you can do and overcome. And that is one thing I have definitely learned that I will always take with me. I don't plan on leaving, however, I will definitely take that with me. I think of it often and looking back to see how far I've come and how comfortable I've become with actually talking with others and in front of them. Yeah, I like to. I like to hide behind the scenes.

As I said, you really pushed yourself to. You've really grown a lot in that way. Like you said, you know, pushing yourself to be comfortable, to speak. Well, maybe you didn't push yourself. The opportunity was there and you had to do it, it sounds like. Is that kind of what happened?

Kind of, yes. It was kind of like, hey, Nikki, can you demonstrate this? And I was kind of like, sure. And there I was in front of everybody talking about one of the. I think it was one of the banner systems. And yeah, it was just crazy.

Right on the spot. Oh, my man. That's. Honestly, I think that's where a lot of growth comes from. We can think about something. We can. I love to, like, research things and learn about them and think about doing them, but actually doing the thing is. So it's such a learning experience. Like you said, like, hey, Nikki, can you do this? Oh, here I am now. I'm doing it. I'm doing it.

I got this.

Oh, that's awesome.

Thanks.

Yeah, that's a. That's a big growth. And also we talked about another accomplishment that, that of yours is that you're a first generation college student. Is that right?

That is correct.

Yes. So exciting.

Yes, that is very correct. Another thing that I take pride in myself is going. But I have to give thanks to my mom who basically told me, you are going to college. And that really stuck with me because she drove it home quite a bit during high school.

Yeah.

I will forever be grateful for that opportunity because I think without it, I might not be where I'm at today.

Wow.

So I really commend my mom for instilling that. And I have done the same with my daughters. In fact, my oldest just graduated here with her associate's degree from LCC.

Shout out. What's her name?

Gabby Cogsborough.

That's Gabby Cogswell.

And got my other daughter, who's a senior this year. And I have preached to her it's either college or skilled trades, but you.

Pick something that's amazing. You're helping them build their future.

Absolutely.

And at that age, without the guidance it is, it's hard to know what to do, where to go to be successful. Because, I mean, I remember when I was young, I thought that I knew everything, but turns out I didn't. I had to learn quite a Bit surprise, surprise. But it helps so much to have. Like, you. You talked about your mom saying, go to college and you helping your kids go to college. Like, and now you're so grateful. You feel you might not have been here in this position without it. Like, that's really cool.

Thank you.

That's really cool. Congrats again. Shout out to Gabby Cogswell, who just graduated from. Was it from LCC, Nikki?

Yes, it was.

Yes, of course. Go Stars.

That's right.

What's her associates in?

She got her general associates. She is applying for the sonography program here at Lansing Community College.

That's a great program. I hear good things. Yes, it is.

I've heard great things about that program, too.

Yes. I remember when I was a student, I was thinking of all the programs and that was. I was looking at that one. But to that point I was like, you know, you had to take quite a few math classes, I think, to get to that, or advanced chem or. There was. There was quite a bit of classes that really freaked me out quite a bit, to be honest. So what did I do? I went the photography route, which. Which was beautiful and I love it.

And I've seen your photography.

It's great.

Wonderful.

Yes, yes, yes. But, yeah, so we have great programs here. Sonography photography, one and all. So I want to ask you kind of a fun question, Nikki. Let's talk about if, say, you know, in a perfect world, if all your needs were met, if time and money were not a factor, what would you spend your time doing? Time and energy.

I would hop in a big old truck, hitch up to my camper, and I would hit the road.

The open road is calling.

That's right. Open road. And just take me away. Let's go.

Where do you want to go?

I think my first stop would probably be out west and I would hit Montana.

Montana? What about Montana? What draws you there?

Wilderness. The wild, wild West. Horseback riding, dude ranches.

You know a lot about out west.

I love it.

Oh, my gosh.

That's my heart.

Do you road trip a lot or.

I do not. I travel up north quite a bit. We have a cabin.

You said cottage and cabin. That's a new word.

Yes, we have a cabin up north.

It's now called a cabin. Just for anyone listening. New word.

Yes. I travel up to our cabin mostly in the summer months, and that's pretty much where we spend most of our time vacationing and good old family time.

Yeah, that's right.

Michigan summers.

You can't beat them. But our winters Man, Woof.

Yeah.

Winters. Bundle up, bundle up, bundle up, buttercup.

That's great.

But. Yes, that sounds nice, though. You always. It's always nice to have something to look forward to, like vacation, you know, kind of in that realm. What kind of keeps you kind of swinging back to LCC and working here. What kind of keeps you motivated working at LCC? Is it like the idea that you can be done and go like to your cottage at the end of the. In the summer? At the end of the. Not at the end of the day. But I'm kind of a small crisis here with my words. But so what I'm trying to ask you is what really motivates you working here at LCC? Because you have a great worth. Ethic. Ethic. And I've seen it. And you love your job. Like, what would just be that thing that is you would say is your driving motivation?

I would say everyday experiences. And what I learn, I firmly believe you can never learn enough or you won't grow. And just because you're getting older doesn't mean you can't grow and learn. And there is literally something new, I think, every day or some kind of challenge for me to accomplish.

Yeah.

To make my department or the college look good, depending on what the job is that it's assigned. And that's what, that's what keeps me coming back.

Yeah.

The work, the people, the connections,.

Learning, man. It sounds like you have a real growth mindset where you're always constantly learning, you know, as opposed to. I've learned about fixed mindsets and growth mindsets. And to me, growth mindset is you always want to learn something. You're always ready to move forward or better yourself in some way. It sounds like you kind of exemplify that, especially here at work.

Yes, exactly. Keep making those deposits and never stop growing.

Yeah. Well, Nikki, I just want to thank you so much for being here today. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank.

You for having me.

I'm very excited to have you. All right, we're gonna go ahead and wrap up. If you are listening and you want to share this episode or listen again, because we are that awesome. I mean, we even invent new words on my show. So you're gonna want to listen again. Go to LCCconnect.org you can listen to this show and others on demand. All right, thank you so much for listening to who's that Star? The behind the scenes show where I sit down and talk to employees at Lansing Community College. You have heard from the one and only Nikki Cogswell. And as she's truly a star, she's committed to creating a culture of kindness and caring in her interactions, being brave, and always learning. You've met one of the great people behind the scenes at LCC. Again, I'm your host, Julianna Blain. Please, call me Juji. I want to thank you so much for listening. Tune in next time, and together we can discover who's that star. Have a fantastic day.