Every month the Administrative/Professional (A/P) Council highlights an A/P staff member through a series of questions as another way for the Illinois State community to connect. This month readers can get to know Molly Knapp, undergraduate academic advisor for the Department of Psychology.
As an undergraduate academic advisor for the Department of Psychology, what are your responsibilities?
I provide academic and career advising to roughly 500 majors and 250 minors. I also contribute to the recruitment of potential students and the orientation of new students. I assist in enrollment management, and I participate in undergraduate administrative planning. I just started teaching the Careers in Psychology class, which is a lot of fun.
How long have you been an employee at Illinois State?
I started here July 5, 2017.
What do you love most about working at Illinois State?
I love the fact that people are so willing to help you, no matter what department they work in. I really think the employees at ISU are some of the kindest I’ve ever met. I also think that ISU has an aesthetically beautiful campus. The landscaping is always so pretty. Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that there are so many wonderful restaurants within walking distance from my office.
When you’re not working, what are you most likely doing?
I do a lot of different things when I’m not at work. I might be riding with my husband or playing with the grandkids. I try to go every few months to visit our daughter in Minnesota. But, whatever I’m doing, I’m with family. Family is extremely important to me, and I lovingly give most of my free time to them.
What is your favorite spot on campus?
I should say that it’s walking around the beautiful Quad or sitting under a nice, shady tree. But, in actuality, it’s walking to Maggie Miley’s for a lunch treat! I consider that whole Uptown area to be part of campus.
What is one thing people would not know about you?
I enjoy horseback riding, and I just spent a week riding my mule through the Black Hills of South Dakota. It started 17 years ago when I took our daughter to horseback riding lessons when she was 11. We wanted to help build her confidence and self-assurance. We ended up with 5 horses and a mule. The whole family just loves camping and riding, and now I can’t wait to take my grandkids!
What quote most inspires you? Why?
I have two, but they are closely related to each other. So you could say it’s a two for one! I like the saying by Will Rogers, “Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” I also like Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
I have a bad habit of being a control freak and a worrier. Those two things don’t sit well with each other because you feel like you need to take care of everything and everybody, and when it all goes wrong you stress and worry. The quotes I referenced can mean different things to different people, but to me they remind me to stop and breathe. I don’t have to worry about everything in the world because I’m not actually the one in control. The two quotes together remind me to relax, let go, and trust. That little tidbit gets me through life. Relax. Let go. Trust.
