Tell us about the work you do: I am currently employed by the Fond du Lac Reservation doing employee assistance, employee relations and training. Employee assistance involves helping employees with decision making, providing information, tools and resources to help employees. I also conduct supervisory training for supervisors and managers. I love helping people and have opportunities to do this each day. I am also a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God.

A source of pride in your life: My job - reaching out and helping everyone I can. I obtained good scholastic training with excellent teachers at St. Scholastica. Each day I go home knowing that I gave it my all. It is very rewarding.

Best St. Scholastica memory: I marveled at the number of nontraditional students who made the right decision in getting or completing their education. I had great conversations with other students and had a lot of laughs (stress relief) when discussing an upcoming exam or group project. I loved the small classes. All the students I connected with also worked full time while pursuing their education - we spurred each other on.  The most humbling moment was walking into the DECC arena for graduation and seeing the professors lined up in two rows facing each other. Every graduate had to walk through a gauntlet of clapping hands and huge smiles from the professors. It was hard to walk through without tearing up. They are the ones who sacrificed their time to help us and they honored us - wow!

Significant influences: I appreciated all my professors. I feel very honored that I had an opportunity to sit under their instruction. They decided to share their wealth of knowledge and expertise by instructing students. They worked long hours to prepare, teach, and encourage students who did not attend or complete college at a younger age. They truly are making a difference.

Further education: Pastoral studies through North Central University and Global University. I also trained in anger management, conflict resolution and mediation.

Something interesting about your life: My husband and I like to spend time together going on mini-ice fishing trips; we both hunt and we have three huge gardens. At harvest time, we share with others and dehydrate, can, and freeze the produce.

Family ties: My youngest brother, Tedd Ells, graduated at the same time as I did with his Master's in Health Information Systems. Also, a very dear friend, Arlita Parsons, who worked as the Assistant Food Services Director/Caterer at the College for many years, walked through the whole college experience with me. Every night when driving away from class, I would call her and tell her about the discussions or how I did on a test. She was, and still is, a great inspiration to me.

Philosophy: "Attain wisdom and discipline as a lifelong practice. Then, come along side, encourage and lift up everyone you know, at every opportunity." - Susan C. Connor

Impact of the Benedictine values: In any community, we all have something to bring to the table. I practice all of the Benedictine values. We all have something to contribute to help make the community healthy. Reaching out to others and being hospitable, respect and honor others, taking the resources entrusted to me and using them wisely are all standards in m my life. It was while in the ADEP program that the love of learning accelerated in me.