Meet Your Admissions Counselor
Connect with your dedicated admissions counselor for one‑on‑one support throughout your college search, application, and enrollment journey.
Each counselor brings their own expertise, passion, and personal commitment to helping you find your place in our community. Whether you’re a first‑year student, transfer applicant, or returning to school, you’ll have a dedicated partner ready to support your journey. Get to know the counselor who will be with you from your first question to your first day on campus. We can’t wait to meet you and help you begin your next chapter!
Gerica Walton ’18
Admissions Area: Nursing & International
Gerica is the Director of Admissions and a proud Stephens alum. She took full advantage of everything Stephens and Columbia had to offer 11 years ago and hasn’t looked back since. As a student, she was a dual-sport athlete (playing both soccer and softball) and even shared her dorm room with her dog, Kip. Now, she loves being at Stephens on the other side of the Admissions process, where she helps make the experience supportive, accessible, and even a little fun.
Contact: gcurry@stephens.edu | 573-876-7214 (Call or Text)
Hometown: Crocker, MO
Education: B.S. in Human Development, Stephens College & M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Stephens College (Expected Graduation May 2027)
Why Stephens? Stephens is truly a place that empowers women to be their truest self and sets you up for success. Our small class sizes ensure that you are never just a number here, and you have the perk of being connected with passionate and successful alumna from day one. Plus, you can’t beat being downtown in one of the top college towns in the US!
Favorite Stephens Tradition: Crossing the Bridge Ceremony
Gerica’s advice for students in the college search process: Visit campus! You need to truly be able to picture yourself at any college you are considering. You’ll be there for 4 years, so you need to make sure it is a good fit!
Olivia Paz
Admissions Area: Athletics & Transfers
Originally from San Diego, California, Olivia’s career has always centered around mentorship and leadership. With a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and experience in youth care and foster services, she brings a student-first, advocacy-driven approach to her work at Stephens College. In addition to serving as Associate Director of Admissions and pursuing her M.Ed. in Counseling (at Stephens!), Olivia is also a coach for Iowa Premier Fastpitch, where her passion for developing confident, resilient young women aligns naturally with her work at Stephens, equipping them to step confidently into who they are meant to become.
Contact: opaz@stephens.edu | 573-876-7104 (Call or Text)
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Education: B.S. In Criminal Justice, Missouri Valley College & M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Stephens College (In Progress)
Why Stephens? Stephens is intentional. From block schedule to the close mentorship with faculty, everything here is designed to help students grow – not just academically but personally and professionally. It’s a place where students are truly known and supported.
Favorite Stephens Tradition: Crossing of the Bridge. It’s a beautiful reminder that college is more than classes. Seeing students honor how far they’ve come and step boldly into what’s next never gets old.
Olivia’s advice for students in the college search process: Trust your gut – but make sure your gut is informed. Ask questions, visit campuses, picture your daily life there, and choose the place where you feel supported and challenged at the same time.
Gracie Cameron ’24
Admissions Area: School of Health Sciences & Visit Coordinator
- Animal Behavior, Biology, Equestrian Studies, Health Science, Human Development, Psychology
Gracie grew up in Ashland, MO, and went to Stephens for her Bachelor’s degree in 2020. After graduation, she has worked in the admissions office, helping students through the same process she went through. She is passionate about sharing her love for Stephens with future students who are in the same place she was. In her free time, Gracie enjoys reading horror novels, crocheting, and spending time with her fiancé Nick and their pets, Panda and Cece.
Contact: rcameron@stephens.edu | 573-876-2336 (Call or Text)
Hometown: Ashland, MO
Education: B.S. in Psychology, Stephens College
Why Stephens? I grew up in the area and knew about Stephens from a very young age. I loved how it was a small, all-women’s school and how you could bring your pet! After starting here in 2020, I fell in love with the campus and the atmosphere. Now I am grateful to still be at Stephens and keep sharing why I love it here with prospective students.
Favorite Stephens Tradition: I love crossing the bridge. I never got to do it when I was a freshman because we still had COVID-19 restrictions, but it makes me happy to see all the people coming in now be a part of that long-standing tradition.
Gracie’s advice for students in the college search process: It’s ok to not know what you want to do with the rest of your life yet! I changed my major when I was at Stephens, and it’s more common than people may think. You have your whole life to nail down what you want to do; you still have plenty of time to figure it out!
Char Johnson
Admissions Area: Integrative Studies & Undeclared Students
- Business, Communication Design, Content Creation, Education, English, Creative Writing, Fashion Apparel Studies, Fashion Design & Product Development
Char grew up in COMO, but moved to KCMO to attend art school, and then lived abroad in Japan for 7+ years as an English teacher and advisor! She is committed to being the best resource possible for incoming students, and hopes to be a helpful and welcoming presence throughout the admissions process and beyond!
Contact: brjohnson@stephens.edu | 573-876-7286 (Call or Text)
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Education: B.F.A. in Animation, Kansas City Art Institute
Why Stephens? Having grown up in COMO, Char has always been familiar with Stephens. She loves how it maintains its small-college energy in a big college town like COMO. She also values its commitment to women empowerment and support, not only faculty to student, but student to student as well.
Favorite Stephens Tradition: The Collections Annual Student Fashion Show in the Spring!
Char’s advice for students in the college search process: Keep in regular contact with your admissions counselor! We are here to help you every step of your college prep journey! Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions! Applying for college can be daunting, we’re here to make sure you feel confident enough when you step on campus for the first time!
Kristy Simpson
Admissions Area: Conservatory for the Performing Arts Programs
- Acting, Filmmaking, Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies, Musical Theatre, Technical Theatre & Stage Management, Theatrical Costume Design, MFA in TV + Screenwriting
Kristy Simpson is the Director of Recruitment and Retention for the Conservatory at Stephens College. In this role, she leads strategic efforts to attract, support, and retain students within the Conservatory’s performing arts programs. Kristy is committed to a student-centered approach, guiding prospective students through every stage of their journey—from application to arrival on campus—ensuring they feel informed, supported, and confident as they begin their collegiate experience.
Contact: conservatory@stephens.edu | 573-876-7194 (Call)
Hometown: Macon, MO
Education: BES in Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri
Why Stephens? There is something special about a campus where students are not just numbers—they are artists, leaders, and individuals with unique stories. I am inspired daily by the opportunity to help students find a place where they feel seen, supported, and excited about their future. The close-knit, creative community here makes that work meaningful.
Favorite Stephens Tradition: Final Bows
Kristy’s advice for students in the college search process: Approach the college search with discernment—prioritize the institutions where you feel inspired and supported.
Dr. Dan Kissinger
Admissions Area: Master of Education in Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling & School Counseling Track
Dr. Kissinger serves as professor and director of counseling for the Stephens College Counseling program. Prior to Stephens College, he held academic appointments in counselor education at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he served as department chair. A licensed professional counselor and supervisor in Missouri, his clinical experience includes working with adult and adolescent populations in community mental health, college/university, and private practice settings. His research interests include wellness, clinical supervision, and student-athlete wellbeing.
Contact: dkissinger@stephens.edu | 573-876-2307 (Call)
Education: B.A., Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, M.S., Kinesiology, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, M.Ed., Counseling & Guidance, Clemson University, Ph.D., Counselor Education, University of South Carolina