I love my job!
I have worked at the Alumni Association for almost 10 years and have always loved what I do and the people with whom I work. I have worked with students since I began in 2003 and added travel to my responsibilities in 2010. I get to work with the students who are excited about their new beginnings at Iowa State and my travelers who have so much to share. I really do get the best of both worlds.
One of the most common questions I get when I am on the phone with my travelers is if there will be an ISU Alumni Association host on the trip. I wish the answer was always yes, but unfortunately we only send a host when we meet a certain number. Each tour company is different with their qualifications, but it ranges from 15-30 passengers.
In 2012 we will end up with seven trips covered by an ISUAA host. It has been many years since we have seen that number. I hope 2013 is even bigger.
One of the greatest things about my job is that, when a trip sells out and qualifies for a host, I have the awesome task of offering that trip to a staff person. I am kind of like the FTD man, only I am a woman and I don’t wear all gold or leap through the air. But you get the picture. You know that feeling you get when you see the flower delivery person come to your house? That’s what I do. I bring happiness. I like to think my professional staff is always excited to see me come into their office, but I know it’s when I show them the travel brochure that their eyes light up.
We all love to travel, and giving the alumni staff the chance to interact and connect with all of you is something I am happy to do. It warms my heart when I hear that passengers are reuniting back in Ames or that they keep in touch throughout the year or they met on one of our trips and now travel together.
Making connections is what we are all about, and I am happy to do my part!
Now, if only the FTD man would show up at my office.
Safe travels,
Shellie Andersen ’88, Director of Alumni Travel
Iowa State University Alumni Association
isualumblog.wordpress.com 
Please include us on Bowl information–travel with Cyclones for sure. “Al and Ann Jennings” ajenni@outlook.com