Kristin McDaniel

What brought you to TXST? What led you to become a Bobcat employee?  

I grew up nearby in Wimberley and came to SWT/TXST numerous times for sporting events, graduations, and camps. I even graduated from high school in Strahan Arena in May 2000! In Fall 2005, I graduated from Texas State with a BFA in Communication Design. I was a student employee in The Graduate College, assisting with the preparation of degree audits for doctoral and master’s students. Upon graduation, I was offered a full-time job as a degree audit coordinator and was thrilled to be able to stay at my alma mater and continue my work in higher education. As of this month, I have worked in higher ed for 25 years (20 years full time) and graduated 20 years ago.

How many commencement ceremonies have you been involved with to date?

I calculated the number recently! As of Fall 2025, I have attended 268 commencement ceremonies at Texas State (including my own)! I have been fortunate to watch numerous cousins, friends, student employees, and colleagues cross the stage! I was so nervous during my own commencement, that I don’t really remember crossing the stage. This experience helps me guide new graduates as they navigate commencement day and all the emotions that come with it!

Can you describe your current role?  

My current role as commencement coordinator is to engage the campus community in the planning and implementation of our 17 annual commencement ceremonies, which occur in December, May, and August. I chair the Commencement Team and Commencement Transportation and Safety Subgroup, and serve on the Executive Commencement Team. Commencement is an “all hands on deck” event that requires participation from all university divisions in order to provide safe and successful events. This includes collaboration with city representatives and external vendors. I spend each day of the year making sure the pieces of the puzzle are coming together and that new ideas are explored.

On a daily basis, I am communicating with graduates and faculty, reviewing transportation and safety plans, maintaining aspects of communication such as the commencement website, commencement social media, emails, and presidential/provost communication, implementing contracts and purchase orders, maintaining policy and protocol, preparing for special presentations, evaluating survey results from the campus community, maintaining inventory of all supplies and resources, preparing training materials and guidelines for all student employees and staff, maintaining graduate data related to commencement for software such as name display and ticketing, preparing commencement publications such as the commencement program, etc.

I am pleased to be serving as the US South Central Regional Director for Membership for the North American Association of Commencement Officers (NAACO). I will be presenting at the annual conference in February 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts, on Pomp, Circumstance, and Posthumous Degrees — how Texas State guides the family/friends of our graduates “gone too soon” through commencement in a meaningful way for all in attendance.

What is the most fulfilling aspect of your job and why?  

My job is fulfilling because I get to be part of one of the most momentous days in the lives of graduates and their families! This job allows me to use my organizational and creative skills in such a unique way, and I am grateful to hold this exciting position on campus.