Leshay Mathis may be a name that students have heard around various parts of campus -- from Greek Life to the Department of Theater and Dance and now to the Office of Admissions, Mathis has been making her mark on Southeast Missouri State University's campus since her time as an undergraduate student.

Now in her current role as an admissions counselor, she is helping to recruit the next generation of Redhawks who may leave a lasting impression on campus, just as she did.

Mathis graduated from Southeast last May when she received degrees in both dance and corporate communications. Mathis described her time as a student as one with exciting memories and opportunities.

"I think I would describe my undergraduate experience as very exciting, never a dull moment. Whether it was being in one of my organizations and working with that or just being able to hang out with my friends doing all of the different events we got to do on campus," Mathis said. "Overall it was just a really awesome undergraduate experience."

Mathis's undergraduate time included involvement in various organizations and many accomplishments. She was named Southeast's Homecoming Woman of the Year in 2012, she was involved in student organizations including Emerging Leaders, Omicron Delta Kappa, Student Government Association, Alpha Chi Omega, First Year Leadership Program and was a part of bringing the organization University Dancers United to campus. She also graduated with a 3.97 grade point average.

Mathis's dream was to pursue a professional career in dance after graduation, however, an injury altered her plans and caused her to look to Southeast for a different opportunity.

"I was planning on moving to Los Angeles after I graduated, but I ended up getting a knee injury and I wasn't supposed to be dancing for seven months," Mathis said. "So I put that on hold, and I was asked to coach the Saxony Lutheran High School dance team, but I knew I would need something else to do because that won't pay the bills. In the interview I felt the office [of admissions] was really an environment I could thrive in."

Mathis began her role as an admissions counselor in the fall and said that she has found a passion for the position by sharing her own Southeast experience, her love for helping future students and the interesting interactions she has on the job.

"I love being an admissions counselor because I get to talk to students about my Southeast experience and relate to them," Mathis said. "I love being able to help them find a major, figure out what dorm they can live in or find the best places to eat on campus. Being able to have that connection is really great, and also high school students are just really funny and kind of goofy. I got asked to prom a couple weeks ago, so they're always definitely keeping me on my toes."

In addition to her full-time job at Southeast, Mathis has taken on various other roles in the community and on campus. She accepted the job to coach the Saxony Lutheran dance team, she is the faculty adviser for Alpha Chi Omega, she is coordinating a five-day dance convention called The American College Dance Association and she is actively involved in helping with choreography and musical productions at Southeast's River Campus.

"I was weirdly obsessed with everything I did. I absolutely love the dance department and the family you get engulfed into because of the classes you take and the shows that you do and the same with Alpha Chi," Mathis said. "What keeps me inspired and keeps me going is remembering that even though there are going to be hard times, I can always help them see the next good thing that is coming, and I also get to be involved with them."

While Mathis's role has changed since her time as a student, she said that she welcomes the change and it has helped her to love Southeast even more.

"Obviously having a job and not being able to take a nap during the day is definitely different," Mathis said with a laugh. "But I think it's a good change, and it's a nice transition from going to college and now being at a place I already loved so much as a student and now being able to love it just as much as a grown up."