Aug. 31, 2021

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Lara Thiem, an admission counselor at Augustana University.

Name: Lara Thiem

Age: 22

Hometown: Omaha

What brought you to Sioux Falls? 

I moved to Sioux Falls to attend college at Augustana University.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls? 

I never imagined a different city other than Omaha would feel like home to me, but while I was in college, that’s exactly how I started to feel about Sioux Falls. When it came time to apply for jobs after I graduated, looking in Sioux Falls just felt natural. Sioux Falls has also been a wonderful city for starting my career, so I’m excited to develop it here as well. 

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

Definitely the students! In my role, I cherish meeting with a prospective student and realizing how lucky Augustana would be to have them and then a couple months later receiving the news that they’ve chosen AU as their college home. Having completed my first year as a counselor, I’m thrilled to see the students that I supported this last year come to campus and start their educational journey. 

How did you get connected to your industry?

I very briefly — thanks to COVID-19 — was a student ambassador for the admission office, which helped me understand the current students’ role in recruiting, but what connected me the most to the AU admission office was my own college search. While I was choosing a college, I had admission counselors that ranged from incredibly helpful and supportive to completely unresponsive no matter how many times I reached out. I became increasingly thankful for my college search experience as I completed my undergraduate degree, and when this role became available, I was instantly excited about the opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives.

Describe Augustana University in three words.

Impactful, caring community.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

Everyone is constantly surprised to learn that I was homeschooled from kindergarten through eighth grade. Homeschoolers typically have the stereotype of being quiet and/or socially awkward, so it’s surprising to others when I don’t fit into that mold.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

While I was a student at Augustana, I joined a volunteer club called SALT, Serving And Learning Together. The club introduced me to many local nonprofit organizations, which I’ve enjoyed continuing to volunteer for, and I’m looking forward to choosing one or two organizations to regularly support.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

I love to read, so I think Sioux Falls needs more locally owned bookstores that also provide a fun hangout spot for folks! 

Where do you see yourself in five years?

This is a great question that I don’t entirely know the answer to. Since I was in high school, I’ve never had a set dream job but rather I’ve loved exploring different careers and paths. For now, I’m eager to improve in my current role and excited to continuously take on more responsibilities in the enrollment office. Additionally, I have a lot of personal goals that I’d like to accomplish within the next five years such as running a half-marathon, joining a Spanish conversation group and starting to roast my own coffee beans!