From Bryan University Student to Success Coach: Get to Know Carmen Hampleman 

Carmen Hampleman has been a part of the Bryan University family since 2021, when she started working as an academic consultant while she pursued her Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies and Litigation Technologies. After graduating she joined the team as a success coach, and she loves getting to make a difference in the lives of other BU students. 

“I can really relate to a lot of our students because I’ve been through the process that they’re going through.” 

As part of her role in helping set students up for success, she answers questions, directs them to different resources, helps at-risk students stay on track, and helps students balance their education with big life changes. 

“I do feel like I can relate to them, not just because I’ve been through the program, but different life experiences that I’ve had going into it. I had my daughters when I was younger, and we have a lot of moms that are experiencing that,” she said. “I feel like I can relate and build that rapport, and they know that they can come to me with anything, and I may not have the answer, but I can direct them where to get it.” 

Before working at BU, she worked in the corporate world, and she wanted a change from the long hours. Throughout her career, she’s dabbled in a little bit of every industry, including the legal side, which is what led to her interest in the paralegal program. 

“I really enjoyed the paralegal program, and I could see myself at some point going into the legal field. But this opened up, and I wanted to try it. It was something new, and I’ve loved it so far.” 

She loves that at BU, she gets to work remotely, which is something new for her, and she’s gotten time back with her family. 

“I have heard or felt in the past that remote work would be isolating. But it’s the exact opposite of that; I feel like it’s almost like a big family environment. And that is how we treat each other.” 

Her favorite part of her job is getting to build those connections with students and making a difference for them. 

“I love being able to build that rapport and make that connection with them, and they know that I’m here along the journey. It’s really rewarding when they get through the program, and they reach out, and they say I couldn’t have done it without you. Those kinds of messages just warm my heart.” 

Carmen said she loves the overall environment at BU and especially her team, which operates like a family and works so well together that someone could be brand new to the team and you wouldn’t even realize it. 

“I have never worked with a group that looks out for each other, is willing to jump in, and is happy to answer questions. There’s never any animosity or anything like that. We just work really well together, and we’re all here for that same purpose, which is supporting our students and getting them from start to graduation.” 

In addition to her job, she’s also part of the graduation team at Bryan University. “We’re there for a lot of the hard points in students’ lives. We’re helping them overcome challenges. Personally, professionally, school-related, whatever those may be. For me, the graduation team is the exact opposite of that; it’s all joy. Everyone is so excited to have made it, and I love to be able to be a small part in that as well and get to see that happiness and that lightheartedness.” 

Carmen is a self-motivator who has always been driven to go after what she wants, and she loves that every day at BU is a new challenge. “I’m not satisfied until the job is done,” she said. “In this environment, it’s never completely done, and I think that is motivating for me. Trying different approaches to connect with students, trying to help our students get back on track. All of that is just motivating for me.” 

Outside of work, Carmen is proud of her two daughters and that they’re settled in their careers and are happy and healthy — and, she’s also a soon-to-be grandmother!

In her free time, she likes to read, she’s even a member of the BU book club and a book club local to her. She’s a vegetarian, and she prioritizes staying healthy, even when she doesn’t always love working out. She loves to travel, and she especially enjoys her frequent visits to Costa Rica.

She’s also a huge animal lover, describing her two Shar-Peis as her babies, and she’s passionate about supporting local animal shelters. She would love to learn more languages, especially Italian and French, and to become fluent in Spanish. 

Her advice for anyone just starting their career is: “Treat everyone with respect, regardless of their position. Always go above and beyond because you will find that more doors open that way for you.” 

She also relates to the BU core value, Deliver Delight Every Time, and she believes it’s something that can be used in every area of life. She said there are some things she was told early in her career that still stick with her, like never saying “that’s not my job,” always standing up when you shake someone’s hand, never depending on another person, and remembering that your day is what you make it. 

For anyone considering a career at BU, she said, “Do it. I would say that it is a really rewarding place to work, and there is such a sense of community here. I would encourage everyone to work here. It’s just a rewarding place to work. It’s rewarding to be able to work with students or even anything that affects students and to see their success, so I would encourage anyone to do it. I’m excited to be here. I’m excited to be a part of this team.” 

The Bryan University Employee Spotlight is an initiative that recognizes employees monthly. All employees of Bryan University are eligible. Learn more about Careers at Bryan University.