What is your position here and how long have you worked at O’Dowd? Director of Academic Support, entering my 4th year.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received (generally – it doesn’t have to be related to O’Dowd)? Find a balance and pick your battles. It’s about the process, we don’t always see the results we want right away.
What is your favorite thing about your job? Working with people from every department and supporting families and students t hrough their high school journey.
What about your field or position do you think would surprise people the most? Students dictate what programs we offer. Our programs cater to the students’ need. As students change, so do our programs.
What is the most interesting or surprising thing about you? I was drafted (very late round) out of Skyline High School by the Pittsburgh Pirates before going to college. I choose college (wasn’t a tough decision) and was fortunately drafted after my senior year by the Kansas City Royals. It all worked out!
If you could rescue only one thing from your burning office, what would it be? The artwork from my kids.
Bonus questions:
What is your favorite kind of music/what are your favorite bands? All kinds of music. My current playlist includes Jay-Z, Kanye West, OutKast, Coldplay and Little Dragon.
What is your favorite sports team or who is your favorite individual athlete? Michael Jordan and my grandpa Jesse Gonder, who played in the MLB during the 60s.