Get to Know HFC: Keli Renda uses technology and personal skills to serve students and teammates

Keli Renda, smiling, wearing a blue blazer and yellow blouse.

Keli Renda, HFC Business Analyst for Enrollment Services, found her way to her current role through multiple interests.

“I grew up with a love of learning technology,” said Renda, who was born and raised in Wisconsin. “I also grew up with a love of graphic design.”

She started studying graphic design at a university after graduating from McFarland High School in McFarland, WI, but she dropped out during the first semester.

“A university was just not for me at that time,” said Renda. “So I started a job at a computer recycling place doing warehouse labor – taking apart old electronics for recycling – and worked my way up to an office role.”

Renda regrouped academically and enrolled at what is now Madison College in Madison, WI. She earned her associate degree in marketing.

“When a marketing position opened up, I applied and got the job. That was almost 20 years ago. I'd always been interested in the operations portion of business and how workflows and organizations operate. Marketing was a stepping stone into business processes,” explained Renda. “I became more interested in how marketing functions than doing marketing work such as copy or design. I wanted to be able to see data and manage the flow of communication. I wanted to know how we can best set up marketing tools such as Customer Relationship Management systems (CRMs) to deliver the best results. This translated into how I can set up technology tools to deliver the best results.”

HFC was an “awesome fit for me”

Realizing she needed to advance her education to reach her goals, Renda earned a second associate degree in information systems from Baker College. Transferring to Eastern Michigan University, she earned her bachelor’s degree in technology management. She completed additional coursework at HFC.

Renda, who moved to Michigan in 2009, lives in Dearborn with Vinny, her husband of 10 years, and their three children.

For two years, Renda worked for Reichle Klein Group, a commercial real estate company in Toledo, OH. She subsequently worked for herself, doing marketing work and designing websites for a year before joining HFC in 2016.

“I wanted to get out of marketing and go into something more technical and operations-focused,” said Renda. “I was just getting back into the workforce and wanted something small to start out. The admissions technology position a HFC sounded like an awesome fit for me.”

A great asset to the Student Affairs team

Renda was an Admission Technology Support Specialist from 2016-17. She has been in her current position since 2017. She reports to Vice President of Student Affairs Holly Diamond.

"Keli is a great asset to the Student Affairs team, as well as to the College,” said Diamond. “She is the ultimate professional. She approaches projects and responsibilities with integrity, accountability, and excellence. She communicates effectively and has a way of working to make difficult situations more manageable and solution-oriented. Keli can accomplish the seemingly impossible and come through with positive results. She single-handedly was responsible for bringing the auto awarding of certificates for our students to fruition before the pandemic. Without her dedication, that project would not have been completed. She is the consummate professional, and I'm proud to have her on my team!"

Renda’s duties include:

Managing degree audit
Managing automatic award efforts
Overseeing Elevate
Creating and improving business processes pertaining to Enrollment Services
Assisting the CRM manager with technical processes in Recruit

“I enjoy improving experiences at the College for our audiences, whether it’s the students or an employee or division,” said Renda.

HFC is like a family

Assistant Registrar Beth Gierada has worked closely with Renda for the past several years.

“Keli is such a hard worker. She supports so many student services processes. She always drops everything to lend a hand. Keli is kind and fun to work with. I really am grateful for her,” said Gierada.

For Renda, HFC has been more than just an employer.

“HFC has given me a family I didn't know I needed. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this organization and to have gained the skills and experience I've learned here,” she said. “I love the family I've gained by being an HFC employee, and I love feeling good about what I do. I believe in HFC’s mission and feel like we are truly here to serve.”