May 15, 2003

Staff profile: Kim Johnson

Title and length of service: Compliance assistant, Department of Athletics, 10 years.

photo by Jasper Chen

What do you do? I assist with the education of current student athletes, coaches and athletics staff members on NCAA rules of compliance. You can’t follow the rules if you don’t know them. We try to ensure that students, coaches and staff are aware of the rules that apply to each group. NCAA rules are not the easiest to understand, so the compliance office serves as an interpreter. If a coach or student-athlete doesn’t understand a rule, he or she call or visit our office. I also facilitate prospective student-athletes’ visits to campus. I arrange and monitor housing, meals, academic appointments and entertainment for the prospect during his or her visit.

How did you get to this post? I began my career at Northwestern in the Kellogg School of Management admissions office in 1993. I joined athletics in 1996 as a secretary. I worked full-time and pursued an undergraduate degree from the School of Continuing Studies. I graduated in 2001 with a degree in communications. I was promoted to the compliance assistant role immediately upon my graduation.

Are you still going to school? Yes. I am currently enrolled in a master’s program in the School of Education and Social Policy. My focus is administration and planning for higher education. I take one or two courses each quarter, so I should get my degree in about two years. It’s not easy to work and go to school at the same time, but it’s a good challenge.

What do you do outside of work? I started taking tennis lessons this spring at the Combe Tennis Center during my lunch hour. It’s a good diversion and great exercise. Tennis is much harder than it looks! I look forward to playing this summer.

Do you like to travel? Yes. I have visited South America, Mexico and practically every island in the Caribbean. I won an all-expenses-paid vacation to Rio de Janeiro a few years ago. My name was drawn from a local radio station’s contest, and I called within the allotted time to claim the prize. I hope to get to Europe sometime next year.

Where are you from? Alabama. Most people ask why I don’t have a Southern drawl. I do have a Southern accent but it isn’t very pronounced. I have a brother and sister who still live there. I go home to see them every chance I get. I live on the north side of Chicago.

— Marilyn Idelman Soglin