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Campus & Community

From Wedding Day Pics on Campus to Working at ‘Otto’s House’: Brianna and Kevin Shults Share Their Orange Love Story

Friday, July 11, 2025, By Jen Plummer
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College of LawMaxwell School of Citizenship and Public AffairsSchool of EducationSchool of Information StudiesstaffStaff SpotlightTaishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education

It started with trivia nights at the Inn Complete and a mutual fandom of Orange sports and grew into a life filled with Orange pride, campus milestones and a little one who thinks Otto the Orange runs the world.

For Brianna G’20 and Kevin Shults G’20, Syracuse University isn’t just where they work—it’s where their love story unfolded, one game day, one degree and one Dome photo at a time.

Brianna is the director of InclusiveU in the Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, housed in the School of Education. She earned an executive master of public administration degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Kevin is associate director of Career Services in the College of Law and holds an M.S. in information management from the School of Information Studies.

As part of a summertime series on Orange Love, the Shultses share their story.

How did you meet, and what role did Syracuse play in your love story?

A person sits on a couch wearing an orange shirt featuring a large cartoon face resembling Otto the Orange, the Syracuse University mascot. They hold two Otto the Orange plush toys, one in each hand, and wear a blue cap with an orange block S. Behind them is a lit fireplace and various home decor items.

Kevin shows off his homemade Otto costume.

Brianna: We were introduced by a mutual friend and quickly bonded over our shared love of adventure, sports, travel and music. At the time, Kevin was already working at SU and we spent many Thursday nights at the Inn Complete playing trivia and getting to know each other. During our dating years, we watched basketball and football games, competed in March Madness brackets and even crafted Kevin’s iconic Otto costume—which he still proudly wears!

Though neither of us were alumni yet, Syracuse already held a special place in our hearts. Kevin is rarely seen without his Syracuse gear, and we’ve met fellow Orange fans everywhere—even on remote Caribbean islands—because of it. When we got engaged, Kevin was wearing his No. 3 Gerry McNamara basketball jersey.

When planning our wedding, we chose a venue close to campus and took our photos at iconic spots like the Quad. It just felt right.

What’s it like working at the same place as your spouse?

Two people stand on a beach near the water's edge. One wears black sunglasses and an orange sleeveless jersey with "SYRACUSE" printed on it and holds a box with an engagement ring. The other wears a black tank top, a straw hat and has a camera hanging from their neck. The beach is covered in sand and pebbles.

They brought receipts: Kevin wears his G-Mac jersey while proposing to Brianna on the island of St. John.

Kevin: The first question people always ask is, “Do you drive to work together?”—and it always makes us laugh, because the answer is no!

We work in different schools, which gives us unique perspectives and experiences. Even though we’ve both been here for over a decade, our professional paths only occasionally cross. But there are definite perks: attending campus events together, visiting each other’s offices and showing our son, Everett, why this place is so special to us.

Brianna: One of the biggest advantages is our shared understanding of the academic calendar. We know what each other’s busy seasons look like and can support each other in ways that don’t always need words. We both understand the importance of showing up for the students we serve in our respective roles.

You both earned graduate degrees from Syracuse in 2020. What was that experience like?

Brianna: It was definitely a juggling act! We both felt strongly about pursuing advanced degrees and supported each other throughout the process, even though our paths looked different. Kevin completed his degree online, while I attended classes on campus.

We coordinated class schedules, worked on papers and projects, decided to start a family and navigated a global pandemic—all while finishing our capstones. It was a busy season, but so worth it!

Kevin: Our graduations looked very different. Mine was delayed by a year, and Brianna’s was entirely virtual, but both were incredibly meaningful. We’re proud to have earned degrees from top-ranked programs and to use what we’ve learned to better serve our students.

A statue of a seated Abraham Lincoln is positioned in front of a large brick building with many windows. Two people in graduation gowns and caps stand on the base of the statue. A child is seen playing on the grass to the right of the statue.

Kevin and Brianna pose together in front of the Lincoln statue outside of Eggers Hall once they were both able to (finally!) celebrate their Commencements together on campus. Their son, Everett, plays nearby.

Do you have any favorite campus memories together?

Brianna: So many! Our graduations, introducing Everett to Otto, taking him to his first football game and watching the solar eclipse on the Quad are just a few. But our wedding photos taken across campus—especially on the Quad—are some of our most cherished memories.

What makes Syracuse University special to you as a couple and as individuals?

Kevin: Syracuse is woven into the fabric of our relationship. Our shared fandom brought us together, and the University has been a constant in our lives ever since.

Brianna: Everett’s favorite color is orange, and he (now age 6) genuinely believes we work at “Otto’s House.” We’ve both been part of this community for many years, and some of our favorite conversations are about the students we’ve supported. Watching them grow and succeed is incredibly rewarding. We truly couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

A black and white photograph of a couple seated on a stone bench in front of a historic building with arched windows and a large door. The person on the left wears a formal suit, and the person on the right wears a wedding dress and holds a bouquet. The setting includes a grassy area and the textured stone facade of the building.

Kevin and Brianna sit on the legendary Kissing Bench on their wedding day.

If your relationship were a campus building, which one would it be—and why?

Both: The [JMA Wireless] Dome, without a doubt. It’s where we’ve taken countless photos, cheered through unforgettable games and celebrated major milestones. The Dome is full of energy, tradition and community spirit—just like our relationship. And like us, it keeps evolving and getting better with time.

Do you have an Orange Love story that hasn’t been told? Email internalcomms@syr.edu and we may feature you in an upcoming article!

  • Author

Jen Plummer

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