One year at Oregon State University

I celebrated my year anniversary at Oregon State University today.  Although I only worked 8 of the last 12 months, I have learned a great deal and know it was a great move for me career-wise.  I am gaining loads of experience and meeting some great people that will further progress my career. 

Chere, Pre-Med and Pre-Dentistry Advisor, brings in BEAUTIFUL flowers from her garden to brighten up the office.  

My ultimate goal is to get my PhD in higher education administration.  Working with an iconic Head Advisor on campus will open many doors.  I have already met some key players on campus just by being open to working on many projects.  I am glad to have had the opportunity to work with START, a new student orientation program.  Here I have learned about advising and new student programming.  

Working with the OSU Foundation is a unique opportunity that I don’t think many people with my career goals will have.  I have learned about working with donors to garner support for research and scholarships.  Having experience with collaborating with a foundation is very valuable.  Mary Ann is the Head Advisor who is also Chair of the Scholarship Committee for the College of Science.  I work closely with her in the administration of scholarships.  I then work closely with Anne Murphy at the foundation to steward t he gifts.  I am so thankful to be able to be a part of this process. 

I also get to use my background in Journalism to assist with marketing the college externally and internally.  I work with University advancement on stories about the College of Science.  I have interviewed students and faculty about their research and experiences on campus. I pitch story ideas to the University Marketing staff and to the campus publication, terra, about research.  The stories produced by these departments are then used when meeting with potential donors to show the amazing things happening in the college. 

My desk.  I'm working on information about Social Media and how to use it to market the CoS,

I’m looking forward to the College of Science Faculty/Staff Awards Day.  We will celebrate the accomplishments of our amazing faculty and even award them with funds to help support their work.  It’s amazing to see all of the hard work of the college and foundation come full circle.

I’m also looking forward to the launch of the Linus Pauling Science Center.  The first thing I did when I set foot on campus was go on a tour of the LPSC.  It was a slab of cement and some beams when I first toured.  Now it is almost fully done and ready to house students and researchers.  It has been a great year to see that building grow. 

This next year will be bigger and better for the College and University and I am glad to be a part of it.