Community Consultants
Miranda Brinsa
Hey everybody, my name’s Miranda Brinsa and I’m delighted you are all here. I’m currently a sophomore here at Columbia College majoring in Painting and Drawing with a minor in Art Education. I was born in Kansas City, but I mostly grew up in Green City, MO. Yes, it does exist it just probably isn’t on a map. I graduated high school with 34 students and participated in all the extra-curriculars from basketball and track to Science Olympiad (even though I hate science!) I am a Student Ambassador here and on the Cougarette dance team. I love watching Disney movies and just hanging with my friends here at CC listening to music. I hope you all enjoy Columbia College as much as I have.
My advice to you:
Don’t be afraid to make new friends; you never know who will be there when you need them.
E-mail me at: mlbrinsa1@cougars.ccis.edu
Holly Cass
Hey! My name is Holly Cass and I’m a sophomore here at Columbia College. I’m 20 years old and I’m majoring in forensic science. I grew up in Brookfield Missouri, graduating from Brookfield R-III High in a class of 78 students. I was used to being in small classes and coming to Columbia College kept them small, and it’s been great! I have three brothers and was raised knowing the country life. I like to fish, go swimming in my dads’ pond and BBQ with my dad and brothers. My family is very important to me and they keep me going. When I’m not doing my homework or working I like to read, watch any show that has to do with forensic science, and hang out with friends. I love to watch movies and will listen to any type of music except country, ironically. Can’t wait to see all of you here and hope you really enjoy being here at Columbia College!
My advice to you:
When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!
E-mail me at: hacass1@cougars.ccis.edu
Caitlynn Cunningham
Hi! My name is Caitlynn Cunningham. I’m a junior here at Columbia College. I’m majoring in Biology with minors in Environmental Science and Education. I’m from Montgomery City, Missouri. Some of my favorite activities include being active, playing every sport imaginable, hanging out with friends, watching scary movies, driving around, finding new adventures, trivia and board games, being outdoors, reading and so much more! My family is pretty cool so I like to spend time with them every once in a while. When I was picking out a college to attend, I was a little unsure about going to school at Columbia College, but since then I’ve decided that coming here was one of the best moves I’ve ever made. Everyone here is so nice and you can’t help but make all kinds of new friends. I always have a great time here at Columbia College and I am sure you will too. I can’t wait for you to get here so I can meet you all!
My advice to you:
Make what you can out of everything. You never know if you’ll get another shot at it.
E-mail me at: cgcunningham1@cougars.ccis.edu
Danielle Hart
Hello! My name is Danielle Hart. I am currently a sophomore at Columbia College. I am from a small town called Harrisburg, MO. I graduated with a class of 47 and my town population is 183. I’m not really sure what my major is going to be, it has changed about four times. I really enjoy Columbia College and I like how easy it is to get involved. I am a very active person and enjoy any type of sport. I love the Kansas Jay Hawks, no matter what anyone says. When I’m not watching KU dominate it’s competition, I like hanging out with friends or going for a run. I hope that I can help you adjust to college life and help you with any questions.
My advice to you:
Learn to balance work and play time.
E-mail me at: dnhart1@cougars.ccis.edu
Chris Hawkins
My name is Chris Hawkins and I am 20 years old. I am from Mexico, MO a little bit outside of Columbia. I am currently a junior, my major is Mathematics and my minor is in Secondary Education. When I am not doing homework I like to play soccer or run when it is warm. During the cooler months I normally play video games and hang out with friends. I also love to listen to music and find new artist. I hope your first year at CC will be great and have fun. I look forward to meeting you.
My advice to you:
Do not stress, everything will work out for the best.
E-mail me at: crhawkins1@cougars.ccis.edu
Nathan Hyde-Burton
Hey! My name is Nathan Hyde-Burton, but you can call me Nate if want. I was born here in Columbia, MO. but lived most of my life in Fulton, about a half hour away with parents and three younger siblings. I’m currently a sophomore here at Columbia College, majoring in Psychology. I plan to go on to Graduate school and eventually earn my Ph. D. When I’m here on campus, I like to hang out with my friends, listen to music, play soccer and have a great time.
My advice to you:
Get out and meet people. It’s hard to feel like a part of the college and its community if you don’t know anyone. Be yourself and have a blast!
E-mail me at:nrhydeburton1@cougars.ccis.ed
Kristina King
My name is Kristina King, and I am currently a senior here at Columbia College. I am 21 years old and I am originally from Waynesville, MO. I am currently marketing major with music minor. Once I graduate I would like to go into a Student Development professionally and continue with the kind of work that I do as a Community Consultant. In my free time, when I get some, I like to hang out with friends and family and just have a good time! I am in the Community Consultant role for the third year and absolutely love it! I cannot wait to meet all of you and see all the new faces around campus! Don’t forget that this is the time of your life, take advantage of it and enjoy your college experience to its fullest! Columbia College is a wonderful school and you couldn’t have made a better choice!
My advice to you:
“Be strong, go with your heart, and believe in miracles because anything…anything can happen.” – Marlo Javidando
E-mail me at: keking2@cougars.ccis.edu
Courtney Lauer-Myers
Hello everyone! My name is Courtney Lauer-Myers and I am currently a sophomore here at Columbia College. My majors (currently) are Communications and Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies. I grew up in different suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri and absolutely loved the move to Columbia! My plans are to attend law school after graduating from Columbia College; however I don’t want to rush the time I am here! Columbia College is such a great school that offers many different opportunities only small schools can. While being here, in only one year, I was involved in the NAIA women’s volleyball team, co-captained a mock trial team, and was elected into student government. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you and hope you have just as a wonderful first year as I did! See you soon!
My advice to you:
“Believing in yourself never goes out of style.” – Elle Woods (Legally Blonde)
E-mail me at: cnlauer1@cougars.ccis.edu
Austin Miller
Hello incoming students! My name is Austin Miller and I am, technically, a junior here at Columbia College. I am from a teeny tiny town in Missouri called Curryville. I graduated from Bowling Green High School in May 2008 and I am still working my way around the Columbia College campus. I enjoy living on campus because I get to meet so many people and everyone is unique and fun to get to know. Columbia College is a great school and I’m glad you have chosen to come here. I’ve gotten to know many great people and I’ve become great friends with my professors and other faculty members as well. I’m here to ease you into the college life through my experiences and direct you in the right places. I am a math education major (with a contemplation of a minor in psychology) but I thoroughly enjoy reading and hanging out with my friends, playing volleyball, dancing in the rain, singing, and saying weird things.
My advice to you:
Just be yourself, don’t judge, and get to know yourself and others because it will make everything easier. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
E-mail me at:almiller6@cougars.ccis.edu
Ben Miller
How’s it going? I’m Benjamin Robert Loch Miller. The beautiful campus and the great teachers here at Columbia College pulled me in a while back and I still love it here. I’m a native to Columbia, MO, though I moved around a quite a bit when I was younger. A bit of a computer geek (and majoring in Computer Science to prove it), I love to sit around and joke with friends. As for jokes, I know a million and always love hearing more. Other than that, I’m usually at the movies (my favorite is Ironman), watching comedians (especially Lewis Black), or listening to music (I listen to everything – Mozart to Cake to Flogging Molly.) I love the show Numb3rs and can usually relate math to anything, the more obscure the better. Anyway, I hope your summer is going great and can’t wait to meet you next Fall.
My advice to you:
College is what you make of it. Have fun, meet different people, try something new. Find yourself and grow.
E-mail me at: brmiller1@cougars.ccis.edu
Trang Nguyen
Hi everyone! Welcome to Columbia College! My name is Trang. I am a sophomore majoring in Accounting, Finance and Marketing. I am 18 years old and I’m from Hanoi, Vietnam. I love playing piano and hanging out with friends. When I have free time, I like to cook Vietnamese food and share with others. I had an awesome freshman year at Columbia College and I hope you will have the same experience once you come here. The other community consultants and I will always be willing to help you!
My advice to you:
Dare to dream and dare to try new things.
E-mail me at: ttnguyen3@cougars.ccis.edu
Ashley Roland
Hi everyone! My name is Ashley Roland. I’m a sophomore working toward a major in Forensic Science. I am 19 years old, and I was born and raised in Hillsboro, MO. I love any, and all, things pink. My favorite place on earth is Disney World (namely the huge castle in the middle of The Magic Kingdom). In my free time I love to dance, read murder mysteries, exercise with my Wii Fit, and take naps. Someday I expect to have a career in the wonderful field of Forensic Science and hopefully have the opportunity to interview serial killers as a criminal profiler. In my opinion, Columbia College is the best of both worlds because it has a small campus and class size but it is located in the large town of Columbia which offers endless possibilities. I can’t wait to meet you and help you make the most of your first year at CC!
My advice to you:
College is an active experience. Jump in with both feet; don’t let the opportunity pass you by.
E-mail me at: amroland1@cougars.ccis.edu