Alumni Spotlight: Alex Chrum

Alex Chrum, left, with her wife Whitney Hess

Over the past 110 years, more than 200,000 individuals have graduated from Webster University around the world.

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Meet Alex Chrum, who earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Webster in 2011 and currently works independently as a content strategist and copywriter, partnering with both business-to-business and consumer brands to support their marketing and sales efforts.

What enticed you to choose Webster for your degree?

I knew going into the process that I wanted to major in English. Webster’s program stood out to me academically, and it also made sense logistically since it was close to home and offered a great scholarship. What really solidified my decision, however, was my official campus visit. As someone who was never really drawn to larger, more impersonal universities, I could immediately tell that Webster was the type of place where I’d be more than just a number. Classes were intimate and interactive, with more emphasis on active discussions than passive lectures. Faculty and staff knew students by name and seemed to genuinely care about their education and well-being. The campus itself was manageable and easy to navigate, which made it feel approachable and comfortable from the start. Overall, it seemed like somewhere I would be supported, challenged and could really grow – not just academically, but as a person.

What stood out about your studies at Webster?

The relationships I built with the faculty in the English department are something I still deeply value today.

My freshman year, I had a professor, Murray Farish, who gave me my first ever C on an English paper (or any paper, for that matter). I remember feeling intimidated by him initially, but I worked up the courage to approach him so I could better understand his feedback. He took the time to walk me through it, and over the course of that class, he really challenged me and helped me become a more confident and thoughtful writer. A couple of years later, Murray became my advisor for my honors thesis, and working with him on that project was one of the most rewarding academic experiences I had. It pushed me to think more critically and approach my work with an even deeper level of analysis.

I still keep in touch with Murray, Karla Armbruster, Sheila Hwang and some of the other faculty from the English department at Webster, and I’m thankful for the opportunities they’ve provided me to return and speak to their classes over the years.

How did your Webster degree help advance you in your career?

One of the most impactful parts of my experience at Webster was the small, discussion-based classroom environment. It pushed me to actively participate, share my ideas and engage in thoughtful debate with both peers and professors. That experience fundamentally changed how I showed up in professional settings, giving me the confidence to speak up, contribute meaningfully and collaborate closely with leadership and cross-functional teams.

More broadly, my English degree gave me a strong foundation in core skills such as writing, communication and critical thinking. Because of that foundation, I was able to step into a role closely aligned with my degree right out of college. The versatility of those core skills allowed me to learn and grow quickly, taking on a variety of roles during my almost 14-year tenure with the company.

What is your favorite part about your job?

I really thrive at the intersection of strategy and execution, and I enjoy that my work allows me to act as both a thinker and a writer. I like developing creative ideas tied to measurable goals, bringing those ideas to life in a tangible way and seeing them drive real results for my clients. I also appreciate the variety that comes with working independently and the opportunity to take real ownership over the work.

What is something valuable you have learned during your career?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that sustainability matters more than hustle. For most of my career, I thought that working longer hours and always going above and beyond was the key to my success. Over time, I realized that approach isn’t something you can maintain long term, and that doing your best work requires boundaries, creative outlets and an identity outside of your career.

What advice would you give to others who are considering Webster for their degree?

I’d definitely recommend doing an official campus visit, even if you grew up nearby like I did. It’s one thing to know a school is close to home, but being on campus gives you a much better sense of the community and what your day-to-day experience will actually feel like. If you can, take the time to connect with faculty and students in your areas of interest while you’re there. Those conversations will give you a much clearer picture of what to expect and help you determine if it’s the right fit.

I’d also suggest proactively exploring the range of classes available, even if you haven’t decided what you want to study yet. You’ll probably find options you never even knew existed. For example, during my freshman year, I took a class on the English rock bands New Order and Joy Division – definitely not something I had on my radar, but it ended up being one of the most memorable classes of my college experience.

What is your favorite spot on campus?

Pearson House on the Webster Groves campus will always hold a special place in my heart. As an English major, I obviously spent a lot of time there, and I just love its cozy, historic charm. It’s such a warm, welcoming place to learn, with a really unique atmosphere (shout out to Karen Miller!).

It wasn’t around when I was in college, but the Novel Neighbor in Webster Groves is my favorite local bookstore. It’s a great place to wander around and soak in the atmosphere, and they host a variety of book clubs and author events.

What has your life journey looked like?

Geographically speaking, my journey has largely kept me close to home. I was born and raised in St. Louis and attended Cor Jesu Academy for high school (a detail you were probably already curious about if you’re from the area). After graduating from Webster, I began working for a company based across the river in Swansea, Illinois.

Today, my wife and I live just a few streets away from my childhood home, where I’m lucky to enjoy the slower pace of working independently, usually in the company of our two dogs.

What was your first job, and what do you remember most about it?

When I was 16, I got a job as a sales associate at a shoe store in our local mall. I’ll never forget how nervous I was on my first day, especially when it came to approaching and talking to customers. That was something I had to get comfortable with quickly, and it ended up being one of the most valuable skills I took away from that job. Learning how to start conversations, read people and make genuine connections has helped me in ways I didn’t fully appreciate at the time, both professionally and personally.

How do you spend your free time?

My wife, Whitney, is my favorite person to spend time with, and you’ll usually find us at home with our two dogs: a 2-year-old shih tzu named Olive and an 11-year-old lab mix named Potter. We love thrifting and antiquing home decor, playing bar bingo and trivia and going to pop punk and emo concerts.

Since my career transition, I’ve really enjoyed getting back into reading, caring for my growing collection of houseplants and doing crossword and logic puzzles (I’m currently addicted to Murdle). I’ve also been having fun experimenting with a variety of new creative mediums, most recently ceramics, though I’m very much still a beginner.