Meet Emily: Interim director, student success/virtual learning, mom of a 1-year-old

“It is okay to recognize and admit there are days or times when things do not go as planned, but there is always something positive to be taken from a situation or a stressful day and that is where I choose to direct my energy.”

Emily Fox, interim director, student success/virtual learning

• What do you do at HACC?
  I have the pleasure of regularly working with our current virtual learners in a variety of ways and focus on student success as my main priority.
  • I advise the Virtual Learning Student Advisory Council (VLSAC), which plans events such as the Virtual Learning Awards Ceremony, interest groups chats and guest speakers. The VLSAC has also established initiatives to benefit virtual students such as a reduced gym membership, contests and scholarship opportunities.
  • I develop and send out regular communications about reminders and resources to online learners on the first day of each part of term and throughout the semester.
  • Before each semester, I run “Jump Start YOUR Success” webinars to encourage a successful student’s transition to the online environment.
  • I oversee many online resources, including the online new student orientation, Brightspace by D2L tour for students and Virtual Learning Student Resource Guide.
  • I conduct the Virtual Learning Student Satisfaction Survey each spring and fall, and utilize the results to work toward improvements.
  • I am involved with online advising and counseling, which includes the matching of advisors and advisees to ensure students can successfully work toward their educational plan. Each student is important and has a story. I’m thankful to be involved in doing what I can to help students reach their goals and find success not only at HACC, but beyond.
     
• How are you effectively juggling your professional duties and your personal duties of having your children at home while you work?
  Having a support system in place is crucial when it comes to successfully juggling professional and personal duties. I am thankful to have family members and dedicated childcare providers on hand to watch my daughter while I work.
   
• How old are your children?
  I have a 1-year-old.
   
• What tips (things to do and things to not do) would you offer to other parents who are struggling with this?
  • It is important to have a backup plan. The unexpected can happen and I like to concentrate on what I can control. I have more than one individual who is ready to step in and support me so I can focus on my work even if something comes up for the regularly scheduled childcare provider.
  • Develop boundaries. I have a quiet area without distractions where I can work. My door is closed and my child knows I am working and unavailable. In all that I do, I strive to be present.
  • Do I have a growing list of professional and personal to dos? Sure! But if I am in a meeting right now, I want to focus on that meeting. If I’m out of work hours and I’m reading a book to my child, I want to focus on that special bonding time. There are only so many hours in a day and I'm going to make the most of my time, both my work time and my personal time.
  • Find some time for yourself! I personally enjoy walking so I try to incorporate that into my routine every day. The fresh air refreshes me and it gives me a chance to unplug and unwind.
  • Find an activity that works for you and try to make that a priority in your day.  
     
• Is there anything else you would like to share that we did not ask?
  Whether you have kids or not, we all can experience challenging or overwhelming days, especially now when times seem more uncertain than usual. It is okay to recognize and admit there are days or times when things do not go as planned, but there is always something positive to be taken from a situation or a stressful day and that is where I choose to direct my energy.