[I don’t need to
tell you all how long this last year has been. But there have been plenty
of inspirations among the horrors, and many have come from badass and
impressive women. So for this special Thanksgiving week post, I wanted to
highlight five such women alongside whom I’m fortunate enough to work. I’d love
to see the people and things for which you’re thankful in comments! Thanks!]
1)
Aruna
Krishnamurthy: I’ve called Aruna an English Studies colleague and friend
since I came to Fitchburg State in 2005, but over the past sixth months she’s taken
on an incredibly challenging and vitally important new role, as the President
of the FSU Chapter
of our faculty union (the Massachusetts State
College Association). We’re currently working without a contract (in the
state known as “work to rule”), making our situation even more precarious than
is that of any public and higher ed employees across the nation in 2017. That
situation continues to play out, but I can’t imagine a more dedicated
representative and activist, impassioned and eloquent spokesperson, and
inspiring leader than Aruna has already been in her role as Chapter President. I’m
very thankful she’s stepped up for this key role at this crucial time.
2)
Katharine
Covino-Poutasse: Katy’s a newer FSU English
Studies colleague and friend, and one whom I’ve already found inspiring in
many ways over our two and a half years working together. But it’s been since I
moved offices and ended up Katy’s next-door neighbor that I’ve gotten the
chance to see, again and again, one of her most impressive qualities: her
exemplary mentorship of any and all students with whom she has the chance to
work (ie, not just advisees or English Secondary Education students, but also each
and every student she teaches). Katy’s about as busy as she could be with
teaching and scholarship and professional organizations and family and much
else, yet her office and perspective are a clear and potent resource for any
student who has the good fortune to encounter them. I can’t imagine an office
neighbor who more fully challenges me than Katy does to be a better mentor and
campus community member, and I’m very thankful for that daily challenge and inspiration.
3)
Lisa Gim: I’m
not sure if I ever wrote about it in this space, but a few years back I ran for
department chair, losing a close election to my colleague and friend Lisa. And
man alive am I glad I did, as Lisa has been a wonderful and wonderfully effective
chair throughout her time in the role (which fortunately has another year and a
half to go). It’s been an incredibly challenging time for English Studies and
FSU, and this fall more and more challenges have been added to the mix,
including the aforementioned labor situation, a heavy push toward online
education, an entirely new FSU administration, and much more. There’s no
one way that any department, nor any institution, can navigate such challenges successfully—but
having leaders who can help guide us in thoughtful yet impassioned ways,
responding to our voices and needs (and those of our students) but offering a
shaping vision, is key if we’re going to find and sustain such success. Lisa’s
been precisely such a leader as chair, and I’m thankful both for all that work
and for the model she’s provided for how to perform this difficult role at its
best.
4)
Diane
Lucas: If Lisa’s one half of that FSU English Studies leadership team,
however, Diane, our department administrator, is her vital other half. One of
the largely unspoken but entirely understood realities of higher education is
that departments succeed and fail largely as a result of whether they’re fortunate
enough to have administrators who can combine knowledge and experience with dedication,
kindness, and an ability to kick ass and take names when the occasion arises. I’ve
had the good fortune to know such adminstrators at many institutions, but I’ve
never met anyone who fits the bill better than Diane. Our department is big
enough that it really needs two administrators, and for many years we had a
great second one as well, Jean Varchol. But since Jean retired a couple years
back, Diane’s been shouldering that dual load solo, which is far from ideal but
makes the amazing job she’s done and continues to do that much more impressive
and inspiring. To say that I’m thankful for Diane is to understate the case
quite significantly.
5)
Cecelia
Cancellaro: I’ll end this giving of thanks on a more personal (while still
professional) note. Over the last year I’ve begun to work with Cecelia, a
wonderful literary agent and founder of Word Literary Services. Our work together
is very much in progress, and I hope to have great news to report on that front
in the new year (if not before). But whatever the results for my next
project and career, I can already say that Cecelia is a model for this
complex role, both in what she has added to my writing and thoughts, and in her
colleagiality and support at every stage of the process. I’m very thankful to
have connected with her and to be working alongside her as I move into the next
stages of my public scholarly goals.
Happy
Thanksgiving Next series starts Monday the 27th,
Ben
PS. Thanks you’d
share? I’m thankful for you all too!
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