As Westminster’s Coordinator of Employer Connections, Heather Stewart is known for helping students find answers outside of her department or job description.
Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Stewart earned her degree in marketing and sales with a minor in administration from William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She has been married for 30 years to Dave. They have two daughters, Lauren and Megan, and an infant grandson, Jayce.
Stewart has lived in Columbia for 31 years and worked in a variety of industries, including accounting, healthcare, disability, advocacy and marketing. Her career path has taken several detours, and after six years working in development, Stewart decided she wanted to share her experiences and help individuals be the best versions of themselves.
This decision led her to Westminster, which is similar in size to her alma mater. Stewart started working at the College in February 2025 and says it is a perfect fit.
“I look for opportunities that would be fulfilling. The role has done just that,” Stewart reflects. “This is one of the most fulfilling positions I have ever held. Working with students at various stages of their journey and providing them with some guidance and honesty is so rewarding.”
Stewart loves helping empower students to take charge of their lives and build their resumes. She says students bring her joy, particularly when she can help them seek internships and work on career goals before graduation.
One way Stewart helps students is by having an open-door policy, so they feel welcome to go in and ask for assistance. Her office is a space where students feel comfortable chatting, sharing concerns or receiving help with next steps.
Ultimately, Stewart lives by the philosophy that there are many ways to do things, and students should find what works best them. “The best advice I give is that being an adult is like folding a fitted sheet: no one really knows how,” she explains, adding that learning at Westminster can take place through experiences and interactions with faculty and staff.
Stewart’s experience across several different industries shapes how she interacts with students, who she reminds that flexibility and an open mind will benefit them in the long run.
Her advice to them is simple: “You should hope for the best, expect the worst and be prepared for today.”
For more information on Westminster’s Office of Employer Connections, including potential internships and career coaching/planning, please contact Heather.Stewart@wcmo.edu.
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