The Office: A New Sheriff (or 2) in Town!

Thank you to Cathy Harvey, Administrative Assistant to Shepherds College, for writing today's blog.

Mrs. Harvey and Miss Houk

The purpose of my share of the blogs is to write of Shepherds College life from the office perspective.  This perspective does give me a chance to see some of the “behind-the-scenes” details of what it takes to run a college as unique as ours.  For the last four years I have been working closely with Angela Houk, the Dean of the College. “Dean of the College”—a strong, noble title, like a bold broad stroke of paint across the top of a canvas, colorful and reaching from one side of the landscape to the other.  It has been a role filled with just about every imaginable task involved in a school.  

Angela was hired in September 2008, two months into the first year the college began.  She had no defined office, no desk, no file cabinet except a yellow crate on wheels, and initially held space in the Findley Center while teaching in the Wood Center.  By the time I was hired in July 2009, she had just moved to the Wood Center and received a desk, a real desk with a hutch for her teaching resources and with file drawers, and a keyboard tray.  Her “filing cabinet” was spread out all over the conference room table.  On my first day, the 2^nd annual Opening Weekend was only two weeks away.  I had no idea what to do, but I knew there was much to do, so I told Angie she did not have to explain the whys and wherefores, just point me in a direction and give me instructions—she could explain the why and the history later.  She set me to filing, so we could clear the table to work on orientation projects.

I learned quickly that Angela was a passionate, gifted, focused, fun, godly workhorse of integrity.  Her passion was the students’ highest level of independence and well-being, and she was gifted in R.E.A.L.* teaching and curriculum writing, specifically, Bible curriculum, which was the topic of her masters thesis.  With swift strategic skills, she handled emergencies and “drama” with poise and professionalism.  She also directed all the daytime academic challenges, oversaw all the instructors and advisors, was an instructor/advisor herself, passed meds when needed, coordinated all field trips and after school and weekend activities, while continually training new hires in all their roles.  She helped do overnight sleep-in roles for the ladies, and it was not uncommon for staff to receive emails from her written between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. 

The first year, without a desk, office, or place to hang her hat, was a challenge to manage even with only six students.  However, the six grew to twelve, then twenty-four, then thirty-three, forty-seven, and this year fifty-nine.  

   

Tracy dubbed her “Dean of Everything” in a recent faculty meeting.  She wore many hats in the past, beginning the day as early as 6:30 a.m. and often burning the midnight oil. Clearly, by God’s grace we were growing and it became necessary to have two deans.  Everything here is about learning life skills, whether it is in the classroom during the day or in the dorm or on the gym floor in the evening.  It was time to divide and conquer.  

Mrs. Konopasek

Just before our sixth Opening Weekend, Tracy announced with confidence that we would now have two Deans: one to specialize in our educational goals and one to oversee the advising and residential life programs.  We all rejoiced to learn that Angela was to become our full-time Dean of Education while working in tandem with Lori Konopasek, formerly the Lead Academic Advisor, who would now take on the role of full-time Dean of Students. 

We are excited God has placed them together to further enhance the Shepherds College leadership!  So, you could say there is a new sheriff (or 2) in town, and I feel privileged to continue to work for Angela as her assistant in this role of educator, as well as assist Lori as she transitions in to many of the responsibilities Angela juggled in the past.  Congratulations and God’s strength, wisdom, and blessing to both of the Shepherds College Deans!

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.