April 10, 2007 issue
I like working for Eastern because it's a nice, small community. I believe
our staff and faculty try to really support our students. We have a nice,
compact campus area where, if you have a class in every building, you're
able to walk to each class in time.
I transferred here as a sophomore in fall 1976. In 1980, I began a full-time
job with Eastern in general accounting within the Division
of Business and Finance. I was majoring in accounting part-time,
so I thought it was a nice fit. I received my bachelor's degree in business
here in 1986. Since I've been here, I've worked as an account
clerk for McKenny Food Services; an admissions clerk for the Graduate
School; an accountant for Continuing Education; an adviser for financial
aid; and, in 1996, applied for an academic advising position because I
had received my master's in college student personnel. I've been here
ever since and love it.
I think EMU offers students some interesting majors and minors. With
baby boomers aging and people living longer, our gerontology
minor provides our students with career opportunities in
a fast growing industry. The same can be said about African
American Studies and Women and Gender Studies. There are
several things students can do with those areas that they
may not even realize. For an undecided student, the index
in the back of the Undergraduate Catalog is a great place
to start to see what majors and minors at EMU interest
him or her. Then, working with the Career Services Center,
a student can find out which area of study would be best
for him or her.
I provide students with resources and information they need to help them
make decisions. One suggestion is, if you like what somebody's
doing in a particular career, talk with him or her and
maybe job-shadow. If you like the job, find out what type of
degree is needed.
I advise all incoming, new undergraduate students as well as the undeclared
students. My special population is the incoming undergraduate international
students. I also am the Web master for Academic Advising Center's Web
site. Currently, I 'm working closely with Chris Foreman, the General
Education program director, to help with the materials and the transition
between the old and the new general education program.
I believe the new general education program for fall 2007 is going to
provide our students with the diverse skills they will need for their
careers. I'm very excited and pleased with the new general education program.
