She recently answered questions about her professional background, how she relates to online students and beyond.
Can you tell us about your professional background?
Professionally, I have worked in healthcare human resources (HR) for over 30 years. I started at the very first step, writing job descriptions and analyzing the economic value of jobs for one of the largest hospitals in the state of Connecticut. I wrote and analyzed more than 400 job titles, learning how the work was done right at the employee’s side. What an experience!
I liked HR and I liked HR, and a VP of HR decided to make me an “HR starter” by teaching me every aspect of HR. I was connected and combined with some risk, education and hard work, I made it to the C-suite level and worked as the head of human resources for mid-sized health systems for many years.
What first drew you to higher education?
I have always wanted to teach, remembering that at a young age I wanted to become a teacher. However, business was a bit more appealing in my early career, so I combined the two – working in business and as an adjunct at five private universities in Connecticut.
Collaborating with individuals who wanted to improve their lives or young professionals who wanted to contribute to their career path was inspiring to me, and I had great teachers during my formative years who made lasting contributions to who I am as a person. . I always want to return their kindness and pass that on to others.
What aspects of your education have been influential in shaping your career in academia?
I am a lifelong learner, always curious about the structure and origins of theories or knowledge, and always eager to expand my understanding and competence. I believe that competence in one’s work and one’s values ​​create a complete individual and I know that this is what we try to build in the academy. So I think the opportunity to keep learning, to explore and question to try new untried things and build competence that I can use for the greater good or the benefit of others is what that has influenced and shaped my career in academia.
It sounds bad, but, in our world, especially today, those strong values ​​are challenged and we need to keep them alive and thriving.
What drew you to this field of study? What keeps you excited about it?
First, I love business. I love all aspects of creating products or services that fill a need. Second, I enjoy solving problems and building systems or policies that affect people’s lives. That’s why I’m drawn to the field of human resources.
Many people are under the impression that you go into human resources because you like people. It is not so. I entered HR not only to solve problems and create innovative solutions, but to play an influential role in a company’s strategy. This is the delight of HR.
My colleagues used to tell me that I approach HR with the mind of an entrepreneur. Doing this meant that when leadership brought innovative ideas to me or me to them, a collective energy through collaboration and strategic thinking brought the company to the next level in growing and supporting their employees. Pretty cool.
How have you found ways to effectively connect with students?
There’s no doubt that connecting with busy students who work, raise families, and go to school is a challenge. I leave myself open to communicate with students as needed at any moment and time. This position is for questions or concerns or you just need to talk through an assignment.
In the classroom I use video announcements and video feedback to make the experience more real for the student. I tell the faculty that even though we are in an “online” world, students like to see our faces and hear our voices. Feedback shows that students appreciate the extra effort.
And when I can, I add an inspirational song to my midweek posts to keep the students going!
What brings you the greatest joy in your work at SNHU?
I know that I have three great joys in working here at SNHU.
First, my position at SNHU brings together my professional experience in HR, my passion for learning, and my mission to learn and develop others.
Second, the people I meet and work with within my team, on projects or in faculty and leadership treat me with deep respect and always support me when needed.
Third, of course, are our students. Facilitating learning, developing cutting-edge content, and coaching students to achieve their goals is the greatest joy of all.
What do you think is unique about the faculty and students you work with?
Not every student is perfect and neither is every faculty member. However, the faculty’s focus on our mission and support for the efforts of students and alumni to beat the odds and complete their degree is a bit more unique than my experience in other educational settings. Students are serious about getting ahead and faculty are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of students’ goals.
What does SNHU’s mission to transform students’ lives mean to you?
This is simple. Mission means that we have the opportunity and privilege to contribute to another human being who will take their lessons with them for the rest of their lives. When one educates oneself, that gift of education can never be taken away. It is an eternal gift.
Outside of work, what do you like or really enjoy doing?
Learning and connecting with people. You can find me visiting with family or friends on Zoom, or in person after work and on weekends. We discuss politics, family comings and goings, what’s new, the future, the Mets and Yankees (for us New York types), and anything else that’s on a person’s mind. I never tire of learning how others are doing and finding a way to help.
Joe Cote is an organic writer and marketer at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), where he has worked since 2016. He previously spent more than a dozen years as a reporter and editor at weekly and daily newspapers in Vermont and New Hampshire. . He lives near the SNHU campus in Manchester, New Hampshire with his wife and daughter. Connect with him on LinkedIn.