Helping students make the grade

NEA Today, Mar 1999 by Harwood, Tudi

This secretary helps college students succeed by nudging them toward independence.

Name: Julie Stevenson

Job Title:

Secretary to the associate dean for liberal arts, Jefferson Community College, Watertown, New York

Experience: 30 years

NEA local affiliate:

Educational Support Staff at Jefferson Community College

What people don't understand about my job:

My job's different every day because I'm responsible for so many areas. More than simply acting as a liaison to the dean and to the teachers, I have to be completely informed about the college curriculum and student assistance services.

I keep up with the latest information and changes, then tap on my 30 years of experience to troubleshoot problems and help students make the best possible decisions.

What I do:

I assist the dean with confidential and routine work, but I also prepare personnel and academic paperwork for three departments within the liberal arts division.

As the division's "gatekeeper," I'm in the center of activity. In addition, I proctor exams as needed for teachers -serious business at the college level. I also supervise the Student Aid Program, which places student workers in jobs throughout the division.

A large percentage of our 3,378 students come from nearby Fort Drum. So I've learned to adjust quickly when troops are deployed suddenly to Bosnia or elsewhere in the world and do my part to help with the stress of term interruptions.

In addition to military personnel, our students vary widely in ages from high schoolers to senior citizens. The stress is the same no matter what the age. I do my best to keep my eyes and ears open to help.

My goal is to do everything possible to help students avoid a failing class grade, including suggesting alternatives and pointing them in the direction of other campus resources.

My credentials:

I attended the Washington, D.C., School for Secretaries and have completed coursework toward a human services degree at JCC. I was presider of my NEA local affiliate until just recently and have been adviser to a service-oriented sorority and a domes tic violence/rape advocate at the local women's center.

Continuing education:

I've attended NEA/NY summer leadership institutes, national conferences for college women student leaders, a leadership development conference for trade union women, and various personal and skills development workshops. I also co-chaired the North Country "Women's Issues in the 90s" Conference a few years back.

How I help students achieve:

My goal is to help students become successfully independent-without doing the work for them. I point them in the right direction by knowing when and how to recommend a tutor or a visit to the learning skills center or financial aid office. This type of help can be invaluable to students.

Challenges I have met:

By buffering the tensions of grade appeals or tuition issues and applying the college guidelines with dignity and grace, I try to keep stress from bubbling over into a serious crisis.

How I team with teachers:

I've learned to take pride in my expertise and the role I play on decisionmaking teams.

Along with teachers, I've served on search committees for two deans and our president. I've also served on the Middle States Commiittee for Accreditation, the State Education Department Self-Study Steering Committee, the Disability Awareness Committee, and the College Senate Ad Hoc Committee of Awards and Recognition.

In addition, I team up with the associate dean in the day-to-day management of the liberal arts division.

Success in these areas wouldn't be possible without the support of the teachers and administrators in what I regard as an exceptionally collegial atmosphere.

-Tudi Harwood

To contact Julie Stevens.son, send E-mail to julie_steven.son@ccmgate. sunyjefferson.edu.