Even before she graduated from Pepperdine University, Heidi Bernard was working part-time for the universityâs Crest Associates. The English major was a student worker her senior year. When an employee asked Bernard what her plans were after graduation, she said, âI donât know.â That employee encouraged the then-21-year-old to apply for a permanent position and now Heidi Bernard is celebrating 35 years with the Crest Associates at Pepperdine.
Less than a week after graduation, Bernard was hired as an administrative assistant for the senior vice chancellor who was the director of the Crest Associates. Now, itâs Bernard as the executive director (sheâs held the position since 2010). The program is part of the universityâs development program.