This month’s staff spotlight is Mercury Bowen. Bowen has been at Lake Land for three years in their current role as the Coordinator of Student Development. In this position, they work to ensure that students are exposed to a wide variety of cultures, traditions and holidays from around the world, helping foster a more inclusive and globally aware campus community.  

Bowen also oversees the Laker Closet, a resource that provides students with access to clothing at no cost. In addition to their primary responsibilities, they assist with major campus initiatives such as the Spring Art Show and the Campus Read program.  

Beginning this fall, Bowen will take on a new role as co-advisor to the Pride Club alongside Kim Hunter, following the retirement of current advisor Marcy Satterwhite. They are also a certified Safe Zone/Safe With Me trainer and hold mental health and first-aid certifications, demonstrating their commitment to student well-being.  

And in a fun bit of trivia, Bowen once had the chance to meet Steve Burns from “Blue’s Clues,” a moment they enjoy sharing with students and colleagues alike. 

Even amid a lot of change that would catch most people off guard, through a title change, a department change and three different offices, they handled it gracefully and now support students more than ever.  

“I like to think I have dealt with them with grace and adaptability. I have received a lot of support from admin and cabinet in making sure that I feel supported in my position and in my role, and that my role is seen as valuable here at the college. So I definitely appreciate that from them. You know, I guess really the thing that I would say is I hope that the students that I serve still feel the same amount, if not more, support from me than they did before the change,” Bowen said.