Community Spirit Award presented to Krista Hixson-Titlow

 
To Krista Hixson-Titlow, associate director of capital projects for University Residences, service is not simply the act of volunteering. It is a value that has been instilled in her since childhood and one she continues to uphold today. Through her work in Greater Lafayette and her commitment to engaging those around her to serve, Hixson-Titlow lives out her personal mission of “if you can do, you do.”

“Growing up, my parents taught me that if someone is in need, you do what you can do to help. I began volunteering at my local Big Brothers Big Sisters program in 1994 and have continued my endeavors to serve ever since,” Hixson-Titlow says.

Krista Hixson-Titlow

Hixson-Titlow recently received the 2021 Community Spirit Award from the Management and Professional Staff Advisory Committee (MaPSAC) and the Campus Support Staff Advisory Committee (CSSAC). This annual award recognizes a Purdue staff employee who sets a high standard for service, encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation and inspires others to make service a central part of their lives.

Initiated in 2011 and being given for the 10th time, this award is a joint effort by CSSAC and MaPSAC. The presentation was made by Bill Bell, vice president for human resources, during a joint meeting of the two committees on Oct. 12.

Hixson-Titlow was nominated in recognition of her philanthropic nature and instinct to be a servant leader within Greater Lafayette. She strives to inspire others to also give back, dedicate themselves to causes they are passionate about, and add value to the community and throughout, her nominator said.

For the past 10 years, Hixson-Titlow has worked with the Almost Home Humane Society (AHHS), a nonprofit animal shelter in Lafayette, and currently sits as president of the board. As an animal lover and three-time rescue owner herself, Hixson-Titlow has a personal connection to her volunteer efforts at AHHS. She, alongside the other AHHS staff and board members, works tirelessly to find ‘FurEver’ homes for the many abandoned and abused animals in the community. Additionally, Hixson-Titlow works to support the shelter on the business side. She dedicated herself to integrating the missions of other businesses, communities and nonprofits with that of AHHS, most recently connecting with other local animal shelters and television stations to promote pet adoption during AHHS’s Adopt-A-Thon event.

Hixson-Titlow attributes her inspiration to integrate nonprofits within the community to her involvement with Leadership Lafayette, a program that helps professionals develop their capacity to lead the community both on the job and through volunteer service. Having recently completed the program, Hixson-Titlow has established connections and become attuned to the variety of opportunities with others that are also working to make a difference in the community.

Hixson-Titlow also gives back to her very own Boilermaker community as she works with a fraternity, Theta Xi, to reestablish its organization on campus.  

“No matter the task or the organization,” she says, “it’s important to give back. I feel as though I have had many blessings in my life and therefore, I want to turn my hand around and share it with my community. It is for this reason I want to share the message and encourage anyone interested in volunteering or joining a nonprofit to look at the opportunities out there. Whether it is with Leadership Lafayette, AHHS or something else, just go out and see what is of interest to you.”