Superpowers: Connecting with students and seeing the big picture
Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, Fairmont State University
Alicia Kalka has spent nearly 23 years working in higher education, but her passion for student success can be traced back to a role she took on as a college sophomore.
At 19, Kalka became a resident assistant at West Virginia University, helping students navigate the challenges of college life. The experience showed her that success isn’t just about academics—it’s about support, connection, and having someone who believes in you. “Sometimes a single conversation or supportive relationship can change the trajectory of a person’s life,” she says.
Today, in her role at Fairmont State University, she oversees efforts that support students from recruitment through graduation. Her work focuses on removing anything that might stand between a student and a college degree, particularly for those who are balancing financial pressures, family responsibilities, and work.
A proud West Virginian, Kalka has dedicated her career to helping students create opportunities for themselves through education. She feels a particular connection to first-generation students and others who may be unsure where they fit in the world. One of her proudest accomplishments was earning her doctor of education degree while balancing family, work, and leadership responsibilities. After stepping away from a doctoral program earlier in life, she returned in her 40s determined to finish what she started.
Looking ahead, Kalka hopes to continue growing as a higher education leader while helping strengthen student success across West Virginia and Appalachia. Her mission remains the same as it was when she first became an RA: helping students discover what they’re capable of and supporting them as they pursue their goals.
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