Her Story
About Krista
Krista Diephouse serves as a Full-time Psychology Professor at Cornerstone University, a private Christian university in Michigan. She has five years of teaching experience, including two years in her current full-time role and prior adjunct positions teaching courses such as Psychology 100, English Composition, and Achieving Career and Educational Success. Before entering academia, Diephouse earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and journalism with a concentration in advertising from Central Michigan University in 2004 and worked in graphic design until staying home with her twin boys. She later pursued a master's degree in Human Services from Purdue University, graduating in 2021, and is currently completing her PhD in educational psychology at Capella University, with her dissertation focusing on mentorship with college students. Diephouse attributes her success to persistence and networking, having transitioned from academic coaching to teaching through persistent outreach after being encouraged by her late father to pursue teaching. She is a member of numerous honor societies, including Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society, Alpha Alpha Alpha, the National Society of Leadership and Success, PsyChi Psychology Honor Society, Tau Epsilon Alpha, and Golden Key International Honor Society, and she completed a LEAD leadership program. Outside of her professional role, she mentors an elementary school girl through Kids Hope Network for four years, volunteers with TRIO Upward Bound to help first-generation high school students prepare for college, and leads Vacation Bible School at her church. Diephouse values authenticity and being present for others, and she draws strength from her Christian faith, often citing the quote I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Krista
01What do you attribute your success to?
My dad was really supportive of me reading, going to school, and working hard and always said I should be a teacher. After he passed I thought about those lessons more. What really got me here was being very persistent and knowing what I wanted once I got the academic coaching job. It was then I really knew that what I wanted was to teach and mentor through teaching and just kept networking and putting myself out there until I got the opportunity.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am a Christian and work in a Christian school so that is my quote because I always look back on whenever I get overwhelmed to remind myself I can do it all with God's help.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Just be persistent like I was. It is really important to make contacts throughout the whole way. You might have to start out doing something in a college that maybe isn't teaching but gets you so you have a place to start networking to meet people. This gives the opportunity to branch out to talk to different people. Be persistent, let people know what you want.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is all the changes that are going with higher ed right now. Schools are trying to stay competitive. There is always competition between schools and constant changes so you never feel entirely in the know even after years of working with the same institution. The biggest opportunity in education is to help students find their own passion, what they love, and what they are good at so they go out and are happy with what they do and it shows with how amazing they are in their field.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
To be authentic so that people know that when you say you care that you really do care. Always be there for other people. Remember that if somebody or something is important to you then you will make the time and people can tell.
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