OxStars: Kristine Gonsalez

“The original position was for the webmaster,” she recalls. “I started in January of 2011 and was there until September 2016, right before I went on maternity leave. While I was out, they officially moved the website under the Communications department, and when I returned in January, I jumped right into my new role in a new department.”

Now, nearly 15 years later, when you visit the clean, intuitive website that somehow always features the latest information, or while you're walking around campus or glancing at event posters that are so well-designed they appear to have come from a studio. It is Kristine who has quietly helped shape how Oxford is branded and perceived by external and internal audiences for more than a decade. We sat down with her to discuss the evolution of her role, what makes Oxford exceptional, and how it feels to work behind the scenes of every significant moment.

Q: Was there a pivotal moment in that time where it really solidified that Oxford was more than just a workplace for you?

A: It was solidified when I started working here at Oxford, with OCIT. It was a great group of people, a good team, everyone had the same energy, different personalities, but we all had the same mission. When transitioning to marketing, I found it was a very positive change. It helped me realize other possibilities for my career and my role, and that I was capable of doing more than just web development. I was the only graphic designer on campus. Even in IT, I was doing graphic design to the point where I was doing more graphic design than actual webmaster work. It just made sense, given my background and experience in graphic design, as well as my IT technical background, that my position at Oxford is very organic. It keeps transitioning into other things and growing.

Q: Has there been anyone on campus or anyone within your time at Oxford who has made a lasting impact on you, and what made that connection memorable? 

A: I'll say this, I'm excited to see the positive impacts that Travis Jordan is going to introduce to contribute to Oxford. With his experience and where we're going, I know that it's going to make a great impact for success. For influences from my past, I would say that one of them was Cathy Wooten, because Cathy Wooten was my first actual interaction with marketing communications. When I started my career, I never thought I would end up in marketing. I thought I was going to be the IT girl, handling website front-end development and some backend development. So, when I transitioned into marketing, her influence was very impactful on me because she taught me everything I know now about Oxford marketing, given her journalism background. We kind of grew with each other in the department, and her experience and her knowledge were very integral, and my development, when people now ask me things, I can honestly say most of that comes from her.

Q: How have the relationships you’ve built on campus shaped your experience over the years? 

A: For me, the first thing that comes to mind is collaboration and all the different areas that I've been able to work with because of my role here at Oxford. Our roles as communicators are special because we get to collaborate with various areas on both the front-end and back-end, working with students and our teams across campus. But I think that being able to say I'm not just stuck in the office doing one thing is a good thing. And I know some people would be like, well, isn't that what you want to do? Aren't you doing too much? And sometimes it can feel that way, but in the end, it's been a rich experience because of the people that you work with. That's why we do what we do.

Q: If you could share one piece of advice with someone just starting their journey here at Oxford, what would that be? 

A: I think not to get caught up in the weeds of everything, because I know that it may seem daunting at times, especially when there are many layers to a project or many hats that you have to coordinate and kind of juggle, but to keep focused on the bigger picture of what you're trying to accomplish here and why. If you focus on the steps, you'll stumble, or you could potentially lose heart depending on how many things you're juggling at one time. But if you focus on the goal and the outcome and what it will mean for the community, I think it will help you not only stay positive, but it will motivate you to know that people are counting on you, this, and that you are here because you can do this. Don't lose sight of your self-worth and what you bring to the table because you're here for a reason. You got hired for a reason.

Q: When you reflect on the person you were when you started here and who you are now, what has changed the most? 

A: I think I've become braver because when I started, I was very much a "keep your head down, just do as you're told type of person.” However, I have found that all my years here have helped me discover my voice and advocate for myself, but more so for others. Working here has taught me how to respect boundaries, but more so, it has helped me become confident in my work.

Q: Is there a moment that you truly felt seen, appreciated, or validated in your work at Oxford? And how much did that mean to you? 

A: I don't think there's just one particular moment. For me, it’s a series of moments when people appreciate my work and let me know. For example, Travis shared the Shorthand story for commencement with the Dean's Council, and while walking around campus, people stop me and say, ‘Oh, that Shorthand story was so amazing,’ which makes me feel good because I've worked hard on that. So, thank you for recognizing that; I appreciate the validation from people, those are the moments that make me truly feel seen.

Q: What are you looking forward to the most as you approach your 15th year here at Oxford and so on and so on? 

A: What I look forward to the most is being allowed to stay, being invited to the table, to continue to contribute what I have to offer to the college, and it being accepted. I want to stay here as long as I can; I want to be here until I retire. I want to be involved with how Oxford changes positively in whatever capacity we can offer. 

As we wrapped our conversation, her words carried the weight of years lived fully in service to a community she cherishes:

“I’m very happy and honored to be a part of that, to still be here... I say this, I’m very committed to Oxford and my role here, I love it here, and I want to stay as long as they will let me.”

Her words are a testament not only to her dedication but to the enduring spirit of Oxford College — a community that continues to grow, uplift, and inspire.