Did you change your spring break plans because of the virus? From what to what?

Yes. I was supposed to bring a group of my Orientation Leaders to Western Kentucky University for a leadership conference (that I was also on the conference planning committee for) and it ended up getting cancelled due to COVID-19. This is the largest student leadership conference for our national association because of our region size and so it is always really look forward to. And I had worked on the conference planning committee for over a year getting ready and to have that change overnight was heartbreaking.

How did you feel when you were informed the remainder of the semester would be held online?

I honestly felt like it was the right thing to do, but I also struggled because there are so many students out there that can’t successfully complete school online. Life outside college is totally different and some people now don’t have access to internet, access to a computer, access to much needed community outlets… that’s hard and terrifying for a student to have to process while also trying to do school work.

Where will you be living while courses are held online? Is this a change from usual?

No, because I am staff, I work from home now.

What has been your experience with moving classes online? What’s good? What’s not so good?

Working from home has been a huge and hard adjustment for me. I am lucky to have a space to work and have a computer and wifi. I am lucky to still even have a job and be allowed to work remotely! But that doesn’t make it easy. My WHOLE job is based on student interaction and building community and relationships and I can’t do that now. Orientation is a huge part of a student’s transition to college and we have been required to move it online. I have had to take 7 months’ worth of work and move it all to a virtual format in just under 7 weeks. That’s a lot. I also have to totally redesign training and engagement and job descriptions for my student leaders.

How has the virus (and the precautions taken to prevent it spreading) impacted your daily life?

It’s overwhelming all while trying to maintain the same level of productivity working from home. I also struggle with depression and anxiety/ADHD and those have been a very real and hard battle during this time. I identify as an ambivert, someone who finds themselves displaying both extrovert and introvert tendencies. So, part of me has been okay being alone, but the other part has really suffered. Being quarantined to #flattenthecurve is important but I would give anything to see a friend and hug them or go out to happy hour or go to a movie in the theater…

How worried are you about getting the virus?

I sit on a different side of the fence about this daily. I have severe asthma and know that if I got COVID-19, it would be extremely possible that it could be fatal. But then I also sit here and think about how I haven’t seen a lot of people close to me get it and so I just keep thinking practice being safe and clean and I’ll be fine.

Do you know anyone who has gotten COVID-19?

Not sure.

Are you staying in? What are you doing to pass the time?

Yes, expect to go out and run in the evenings or read my book outside on my porch or in a secluded area by the nature trails.

Are you going out? Where do you go and what is it like?

Only for groceries and it’s scary. It really looks like the Apocalypse.

What is giving you hope and/or strength right now?

Being able to continue talking with my students. And being able to have social media to stay connected to my family and friends.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about what you’re feeling or experiencing right now?

I sit here and wonder what else could happen honestly. Every year we say it’s going to get better and then every year seems to get worse! haha!

In the file downloads below this, I will upload my headshot and then I will upload and a picture of me working from how (I am the little face in the mirror’s reflection) and then a picture of the first-ever Virtual Orientation Team! In all of UWF’s history orientation has NEVER been fully online and so these orientation leaders are trailblazing what it looks like to connect with students and help those incoming students feel connected to campus before having never met them in person.