Get to Know: Tori Carpenter
As coordinator of student services, Tori Carpenter says she does “a little bit of everything.” That includes planning events like the Charity Ball and providing training for new student organizations, among other things. She joined NEOMED in Fall 2022. She holds a bachelor of integrated studies degree from Kent State University.
Carpenter recently shared more about herself with The Pulse.
What did you do before joining NEOMED?
I was a nanny for 4 years for a family who is still near and dear to my heart. I took care of their twins from the time they were 1 to now. They just turned 5!
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in an 1876 farmhouse on 140 acres outside Newton Falls, Ohio.
Where do you live now?
I still live in the same farmhouse with my family.
What led you to NEOMED?
I have been coming to Sequoia for 5+ years. When it was time to start job searching, I loved that NEOMED was close to home and that the gym was right there!
What do you hope to accomplish in your new role?
I hope to successfully plan and execute multiple events this year. I hope to make meaningful connections with students to help make their student experience an exceptional one. I also want to complete my Yellow Belt in the Lean Six Sigma program.
Favorite book or book you’ve been recommending lately? Why?
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. It has something for everyone. It’s historical, romantic, gory, science fictional. It is book one of nine (soon to be 10) and the STARZ Original Series is just as good.
What movie have you seen more than three times? What keeps you going back?
This question is so hard because I have a ton of favorites. Today, we will go with Father of the Bride with Steve Martin and Martin Short. I love the humor that those two bring to the screen. No matter how many times I see it, I laugh out loud every time. I also love it because it’s the story of how much a father loves his daughter and it makes me think of how much I love my Dad.
You’ve been invited a potluck. What’s your go-to dish? Why?
Buffalo Chicken Dip, because I like things a little spicy.
What do you do better than anyone you know?
I fixate on things that interest me. As soon as I like someone, something, some activity, etc., I have to know everything about it. Right now, it’s Mariska Hargitay and Law & Order SVU. Before that it was Outlander and Scotland. I’ve accumulated a wealth of knowledge and random facts that are very interesting to me, but often not to others. Nonetheless, I love pulling random facts out of my back pocket to include in conversations with people.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? (If you didn’t do that, what made you change your mind?)
I wanted to be a Broadway actress. I used to dance on my grandma’s coffee table singing to My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music. I haven’t changed my mind on that. I still want to. Maybe one day.
You’ve been handed a plane ticket to anywhere in the world. Where are you going? Why?
Scotland. I want to go see all the filming locations from Outlander and tour all the old castles. And take pictures. What a great photography opportunity it would be.
What’s the latest thing you crossed off your ‘bucket list’?
My sister and I went to see Hamilton. We’ve been wanting to see it since its debut in 2015. It was phenomenal and I’d 1000% go see it again.
What’s the latest hobby you’ve engaged in? Why?
Right now, it’s sewing. I’ve been sewing for 10+ years. This year I made a goal for myself to make everyone I love in my life a quilt for their birthday. I’ve done four already! The fifth and sixth are in progress. There are 18 total on the list.
Anything else the campus community should know about you or your role?
I love my dog more than most humans. He is a three-year-old Goldendoodle. His name is Harrison and we have the same birthday! Kindred spirits from the very start.