Spider Spotlight
A Q&A with Alison Keller, Associate Director for Student Activities and Director of Greek Life

On the job, Alison Keller is focused on Greek life. During breaks she enjoys adventure travel.

Your job covers a lot of territory. Can you summarize what it entails?
It’s always something new. My focused responsibility is overseeing the Greek life system. I also coordinate the student-focused events for graduation weekend. What I love most about my work is being able to come up with new ideas and see them through. It would be very easy to say, “Here’s what we did last year; let’s do that again.” But then it’s not fresh, fun and exciting.

The hours must go beyond the standard 8:30 to 5. What’s that like?
It’s really 24 hours a day. During really busy times, like recruitment week, I might be logging in on my computer at home at 3 or 4 a.m. to start the day and double-check details.

How long have you been with the University?
I started in July of 1985, so almost 22 years. My original title was assistant director for student activities, which included the responsibilities of immigration officer—this was before there was an office for international students. I was also the Spiderettes dance team coach and Homecoming Committee advisor.

That was before sororities came to Richmond. How did those get started?
A subcommittee of the Board of Trustees was established to review student life. One outcome was the approval of a sorority system. This vote took place during the spring of 1986, and six chapters were installed the next year. It was the largest first-time installation of sororities on a campus at that time, so the entire country was watching. It was very exciting.

What led you to Richmond in 1985?
I’m originally from northern Ohio. I went to East Carolina University for a bachelor’s degree in community arts management and then became director of student activities at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. From there, I went to the University of South Carolina for a master’s degree in higher education administration. This was my first job after finishing grad school.

What are some memorable experiences you’ve had on the job?
Oh, there are so many! In the 1980s, when I was the immigration officer, there was a Chinese student in the business school who was having problems bringing his wife and child here because of the political unrest at home. It took a lot of work and perseverance, but we got them here. 

Another thing that comes to mind is being asked to participate in that student life subcommittee in 1986. That group established the foundation of much of our student life as it exists today. I was still very new, and not a high-level staff member, so to be asked to participate in something so important and historic was really an honor.

When you have spare time, how do you like to spend it?
I love spending time with my husband, Rea. We’re both avid golfers, so that’s one activity we share. We’re also big adventure travelers. Last summer, we spent three weeks traveling out West. We went white-water rafting and saw the Grand Canyon, Muir Woods, Napa Valley and San Francisco. … We’re not content to just lie on a beach somewhere.