Questions with Mikaela Yoder
Tim Schmitt
Whether she’s organizing the launch of a new campus testing center, tackling a knitting project, or browsing the Ģý Farmers Market for ingredients for dinner, Mikaela Yoder enjoys bringing creativity and organization to whatever she’s doing. After arriving in Ģý earlier this summer, the new Disability Resources Operations Coordinator in Accessibility and Disability Resources (ADR) has quickly found a welcoming community both on campus and around town. We caught up with Mikaela to learn more about her path to Ģý, the hobbies that keep her busy, and what she’s most looking forward to in her first academic year at the College.
Q: What brought you to Ģý, and what does your role involve?
A: I was working remotely as a conference events manager when my partner, Jarrod Burgh, finished his PhD in Bloomington, Indiana, so I was able to move with him to Berea, Kentucky, where he had a yearlong teaching position at Berea College. While we were there, I worked at Eastern Kentucky University for that year at their Center for the Arts, and I'd actually been looking to get out of events and into something new. So, when Jarrod accepted the economics faculty position here at Ģý, it felt like the perfect opportunity to make that shift, and we moved here together in June.
I'm the disability resources operations coordinator in ADR, running daily operations for our testing center and serving as the database administrator for ClockWork, our accommodation management software, handling everything from data reports to portal access for students and faculty. Right now, I'm building out the workflows for our fall 2026 testing center launch, doing some faculty outreach and just overall getting ready for our students. At the core, it’s about making sure students get consistent access to their accommodations and have success while using our testing center and making sure that the systems behind the scenes actually support that.
Q: Where are you from, and what should Ģýians know about you?
A: I grew up in Northern Indiana, specifically Goshen, Indiana. I moved here with Jarrod and the rest of my family — my parents and two sisters, along with their husbands and my two nephews — are all still back in northern Indiana.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
A: I dabble in almost any craft-related hobby you can think of. My main hobbies are knitting and reading, but I also love embroidery, sewing, upcycling clothes, or trying out some random Pinterest craft I found. Basically, if it's a craft, I'm probably into it.
Outside of my creative hobbies, I love playing board games, listening to vinyl records, hiking, and cooking and baking. One of my favorite weekly rituals is going to the Ģý Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning to pick up fresh produce for that day’s meal. Bargain movie nights on Tuesdays at the Strand in downtown Ģý have also become one of my favorite things to do, and it may just be because I love movie theater popcorn.
Q: What has your experience been like working at Ģý so far?
A: It’s been so good! Everyone in the office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ODEI office has been so kind and fun to work with, and I’ve felt welcomed and supported since my very first day. I really feel like I landed in a great department; I honestly couldn't ask for anything better.
I've only been here about two months, so I know I’ll gather many more good Ģý moments, but one of my favorites is from our very first week in town. As we were out exploring, we were struck by how many great people we met, people we now consider friends. From folks at the college to local community members, we've been welcomed into this community in such a beautiful way, and that's one of the best feelings when you move somewhere new.
Q: What are you looking forward to this year?
A: I’m so excited about the Testing Center opening this fall and getting to meet so many wonderful students. Jarrod and I have loved settling into the Ģý community, and I'm looking forward to experiencing what campus and the town are like once the semester is in full swing. I already feel like I’m growing into the role and the community here, and I couldn't be more excited for what’s ahead.