Carolyn Micklas has retired from Union, but it was retirement in the narrowest sense of the word.
As Admissions and Recruiting Coordinator for the Graduate Management Institute, she loved her job. And she loved doing things that were not a formal part of her job — going to the airport to greet arriving international students, conducting orientation, helping students find housing, giving them the grand tour, and generally trying to make them feel welcome. “For many of them, coming here can be a real culture shock,” she explains.
A lifelong resident of Schenectady, Micklas has served on the city school board and been involved in local politics. She retired so she could get even more involved in community service. “It's fun to be able to pick and choose.”
Fortunately for Union, her choices have included continuing to do many of the things she did here. “When you work at Union, a certain amount of loyalty and connection remains. I'm very delighted to be able to continue to be a part of that.”
She still greets students at the airport, does orientation, and helps them feel at home. She still puts together the GMI Report newsletter. And she hasn't stopped recruiting: “Everybody I meet is a potential MBA candidate!”
Her community service extends to Schenectady Family Health Services, which serves thousands of low-income area families; Micklas is involved in a capital campaign — development, public relations, and “whatever needs doing.” She's also a United Way leader, president of her church community, and board member for a couple of other organizations. And she mentors a student at Schenectady High School.
“I think retirement is whatever you make of it. I'm a big-time volunteer! Ever since I was four years old, I've wanted to save the world. Now I know there's only so much one person can do, but I can chip away at it a bit at a time.”