Marilyn R. Kralik

Q. What is the best and worst decision you’ve ever made?
A. My best decision was to become a college professor. This has given me decades of happiness; let me into the lives of extraordinary students; allowed me to travel; given me a reason to keep educating myself while always looking toward new horizons. (It also became an excuse to buy far too many books, but that’s a different story…)

My worst decision was—and still is—refusing to ask for help until I am deeply mired in trouble. In part because my beloved Dad died when I was quite young, I am sometimes overly responsible. Having said that, I truly don’t regret any of the independent actions that I have taken.

Q. What advice would you give to our current OCC students?
A. Don’t close your mind to big possibilities. The world has many opportunities, but you’ll never find them if you’re afraid to color outside of the lines.

Also—always, always be kind.

Q. If we were to say to a bunch of people who know you, ‘Give me three adjectives that best describe you,’ what would we hear?
They would say that I was creative, kind, and stronger than I know. I hope they’d think I was funny, too.

Q. What mantra or mission statement has helped you?
A. Just take one small step in the right direction.  Then, if you can, take another… and another… and another…