Forging Futures

“What are your plans after high school?” Ruthie Paulus, SEHS ’16 and ’19, vividly remembers how that question lingered everywhere, echoing in the halls of her high school and consistently creeping into conversations. The question’s frequency mirrored her towering uncertainty that accompanied it: Although Paulus knew she wanted to help people, the details of her future seemed fuzzy.

During the OU journey that followed and years later, Paulus has molded that feeling of uncertainty into a clear vision, a driving force in her career as a senior recruitment adviser in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Oakland University. “Having students and families arrive so anxious, and then being able to talk them through the process, assure them we have a good plan and watching their shoulders relax, and have them leave feeling good about their next steps … that is my favorite part,” Paulus says of her role as an adviser. “I felt that so much throughout my own OU journey: that the people were genuine, they had my best interest in mind. And I want to do that for others.”

Out of high school, Paulus chose OU for practical reasons like generous scholarships, close proximity to home and seeing her sisters graduate from OU with jobs in hand. Then, her student experience, adviser and faculty support, and involvement on campus initiated a change of heart. “OU initially was a really logical, practical choice,” Paulus says. “But as I became a student there, I just absolutely loved my experience and I was so grateful that I decided to go there.” 

Uncertain about her own path at first, Paulus enrolled as a biology major, and though she enjoyed the subject, she soon realized that her future was not going to be in the medical field. During the summer of her second year, Paulus says she had a “come-to-Jesus moment” when an organic chemistry class put her at the crossroads of where her journey should lead. Encouraged by her mom and empowered by OU faculty and advisers, she aligned her degree with her interest of fostering the potential in people, and Paulus switched her major to Human Resource Development (HRD). 

“I had a lot of key professors and advisers help me look into the HRD program,” Paulus says. “My Introduction to Human Resource Development Class was taught by Dr. [David] Strubler, who is incredible. He is one of the most positive, kind and compassionate people I know.”

Paulus’ campus involvement included The Honors College (now the Donna and Walt Young Honors College) and leadership roles in the student organization InterVarsity campus ministry, but especially her work as a student admissions ambassador further solidified her decision to go into human resources. In her role, Paulus connected with future students by giving campus tours, making phone calls to admitted students and providing an idea of what student life looks like. 

“I loved the job because it aligns with my skills,” Paulus says. “I love public speaking. I love that training aspect of educating people about different topics.”

Paulus graduated with a Bachelor of Human Resource Development in 2016 and a Master of Training and Development in 2019. After graduation, a summer externship in a corporate setting yet again unveiled her true mission: Her future was not in corporate — her heart had been in higher education all along. 

When her sister told her that OU was hiring admissions advisers, Paulus decided to take a leap of faith and applied. “Basically, I graduated in April, did the externship over the summer and was back on campus, unexpectedly, by September,” Paulus says. “I was so excited when I got the call, and it was so clear to me that it was the right choice.” 

Feeling connected to the mission and vision of her work in higher education, Paulus now helps a new generation of prospective students figure out their next steps and explore Oakland — just as advisers had done for her during her time as a student. She visits local high schools and community colleges, attends college fairs, processes applications, and talks to prospective students and their families.

“It is just giving students and families a sense of peace or, if I had to think of a better way to phrase that, relief,” Paulus says. “I just have a lot of compassion for what it’s like to be an 18-year-old in high school, and everybody is constantly asking you, ‘What are you going to do with your future?’”