What is your official title at Drexel?
I am an Academic Administrator II in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies at the College of Medicine.
Explain what you do in under 50 words.
I provide academic support services to current students and faculty in the Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies programs. I provide administrative support to graduate program directors. I also have some responsibilities related to the recruitment process of prospective MS and PhD students.
Who do you interact with most on a daily basis?
Daily, I interact with prospective students, current students, faculty and my colleagues. My interactions with students mainly relate to course scheduling concerns, student billing questions and academic issues. Faculty interactions usually involve developing student communications, completing reports and student class registration information. In addition, I work with my peers to provide adequate support to help resolve any issues and questions faculty and students may have.
What is your typical day like?
At least a third of my day is spent responding to admissions and enrollment questions via email. Usually, the fall and winter season is heavily devoted to recruitment, consisting of many communication points with prospective students and a significant amount of time planning and executing PhD program interview logistics. I also spend a good deal of time organizing our monthly committee meetings, documenting meeting minutes, editing our annual dean’s report and compiling information from our students’ progress reports.
How do you see your work fitting into the big picture of the missions of the College?
My work fits the big picture of the College’s mission because students need a support system. Students often feel uncertain or overwhelmed by unfamiliar circumstances. We provide the support they need by helping them access the resources available. Any time a student has a question or is lost about a process or procedure, we are there to support them. We do everything we can to assist them or connect them to the person who is able to. Additionally, they need to have someone they know they can count on, someone who will do their best to resolve their academic problems or refer them to the correct person to do so.
What are your favorite and least favorite tasks?
My favorite part of my job is helping students resolve issues with class registration or their billing statement. I enjoy complicated tasks and problem solving, figuring out solutions to application issues and uncovering the root of the problem. My least favorite task is completing meeting minutes because it requires attending the meetings and then listening to recordings multiple times to ensure the minutes are comprehensive.
What is your educational and previous work background? How did those prepare you for what you do now?
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management from Penn State University in University Park. During my undergraduate studies, I always held work-study jobs. These ranged from working with preschool children to working at the University Bursar’s Office. I also worked at the student activities center and the student cultural center. In addition, I served as a resident assistant. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I worked at the University of Pennsylvania for seven years providing administrative support to students, and at the Perelman School of Medicine as a diversity and inclusion recruitment coordinator.
Throughout my career, I have always provided student (customer) support services and have been tasked with problem-solving, which has been a blessing for the field of education. These skills have equipped me with the tools needed to succeed as a resource for students.
Currently, I am enrolled as a non-matriculant student at the Drexel School of Education. I intend to apply to the MS program in Human Resource Development with a concentration in Higher Education Leadership.
When you were working on site, did you bring your lunch or eat out?
Before the pandemic, I used to work several days in Center City, where I usually bought lunch. My colleague and I were obsessed with Sweet Green, so we usually would treat ourselves to that. However, I spend most of my time at Queen Lane, and with the limited food options, it is better to bring lunch.
What’s one unusual or unexpected item in your home workspace or your office?
Outside of family photos and artwork from my kids, Claudia and August, I keep earrings in my office. I feel weird without them so in case I forget them at home I am always prepared.