By Kayla Williamson
Across from the President’s office and past three cubicles lies the office of a Texan who likes snow.
Inside, you can find an array of history books including an intimidating leather binder-bound version of a dissertation. Leaning against the shelves of books sits a Sioux spear. Framed on the desk are pictures of three girls and a Curious George quote about adventuring into the unknown.
After moving from Longview, Texas this summer, the new Vice President of Academic Affairs, Carol Green, found Spring Arbor as a new adventure for her and her family. Last year, she had a feeling God was calling her north, so when she saw Spring Arbor University’s (SAU) job posting, she applied.
After working five years at LeTourneau University, Green took a step back from high education to care for her husband who was diagnosed with cancer in 2013. She told her story about her husband and the struggle to work through grief at Convocation.
Although she did apply for more jobs in higher education after her husband John passed away in 2015, she felt like the time was not right to move. Her second eldest daughter, Amanda, had two more years of high school.
“I really felt that the girls needed more stability at that point,” Green said. “They had a really strong youth group. And I had a lot of good friends who were helping me through this too.”
Green journaled a lot during that time, and now four years later, she said she is 80 percent finished with a rough draft of a book about her experiences.
As for Spring Arbor, she has been an official SAU employee for three weeks, and she is still trying to figure out which buildings to go to for meetings.
“There may be funny stories once the snow hits,” Green said. “I think I like the snow, but we’ll see.”
Stats & Facts
Which Hogwarts House would you be in? Gryffindor.
How many years have you taught? 17 years.
What’s your Myers-Briggs? ISFP, though I fall in the middle for most of them.
What’s the last book you read? “The Lighthouse Chronicles” by Flo Anderson. And I reread “Lightning” by Dean Koontz and “Waking the Dead” by John Eldredge.
Last TV show you watched? America’s Got Talent.
Favorite judge? Simon.
Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter? Lord of the Rings.
Anything else? You should probably know I’m very competitive and I love a challenge. I like doing fun, quirky things. I like surprising people too.
