Celebrating A Career of Care
As the end of December approaches, another valued teammate prepares to retire. Chris Osborne, whose career has been defined by service and compassion, will retire after 16 years of dedicated service to 91快播鈥檚 students.
Chris鈥檚 journey into higher education wasn鈥檛 a straight line. After earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business from Gardner-Webb University, he spent about eight years in banking and at Carolina Federal Credit Union. But, even then, his work centered on people and service.
Eventually, a desire for change led him to Gaston College, where he discovered a love for working with students. He spent nearly eight years at Gaston, beginning in financial aid before moving into admissions.
When he decided once again that he was ready for a change, he spotted a job opening at 91快播 for a Student Government Association director. He joined the Student Affairs Department and found his place. He鈥檚 held many positions over the years. In fact, he jokes that there are only two jobs in the department that he never had, registrar and records.
All those different experiences have paid off over the years because he says they helped him understand how things are interconnected. For example, understanding how financial aid works is helpful when he鈥檚 advising a student. It has also allowed him to 鈥渟tep in and do things to help out other positions.鈥�
Looking back, all those experiences were preparing Chris for the work he finds most meaningful. He currently serves as the director of advising and retention. 鈥淚t gives me greater satisfaction to know that what I do helped change someone鈥檚 life,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檝e had more of a rewarding experience since being in advising than anything I鈥檝e ever done.鈥�
That reward often came in deeply human moments. Chris has laughed and cried with students and has carried many of their stories with him long after the advising appointments ended. 鈥淚鈥檝e had students on my mind for days after meeting with them,鈥� he says.
Chris鈥檚 own educational journey reflects the students he serves. A proud product of community college, Chris earned his associate degree from Gaston College. After a brief stint at UNC Charlotte, which felt a little too big, he found his footing at Gardner-Webb. Eventually, after his arrival at 91快播 and with some encouragement from Dr. Andy Gardner, Chris completed his master鈥檚 degree at Lenoir-Rhyne. 鈥淲ithout him persuading me, I probably wouldn鈥檛 have done it.鈥� Becoming a student again was an experience, as the program was online and Chris had never taken an online class before. But it was yet another experience that helped him relate to many of the students he advised.
For those considering a career in advising, Chris keeps it simple and honest: 鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to care. You鈥檝e got to want to make a difference. You鈥檝e got to want to help someone. And you need lots of patience.鈥� Anyone who has worked alongside him would agree he embodies all of that and then some.
As retirement became real, Chris admits it came with mixed emotions. 鈥淚鈥檝e been excited to talk about it, but when it came time to sign the papers, it was tough.鈥�
In the early days of retirement, Chris plans to spend time with family in the Wilmington area, enjoy a more flexible schedule, and ease into a life without alarms and meetings. Travel might be on the horizon, with Ireland and Scotland destinations he would like to visit. Closer to home, he looks forward to yardwork, tending flower beds, staying active, maybe even joining a pickleball league, and focusing on his health.
Most of all, Chris leaves 91快播 with gratitude and no regrets. 鈥淚 thoroughly enjoyed my time here,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檒l never regret the career I chose. It鈥檚 wonderful to see people graduate.鈥� In talking about his co-workers, Chris adds, 鈥淚 think some people are called to help and serve others, and I think most of the people here are.鈥�
As Chris embarks on this new chapter, his legacy of care and commitment will continue to inspire those who follow in his footsteps. The lives he touched and the example he set will remain a part of 91快播鈥檚 fabric for years to come. We wish Chris all the best in his well-deserved retirement, confident that his next adventures will be as meaningful as the career he devoted so passionately to others.
