Daniel Sweat Features Editor You, an eager and exuberant first year, have heard rumors that there’s a magical place on campus where all your dreams come true. Well, at least your dreams of studying abroad and getting a job after you graduate. You wander to and fro across the campus before you finally stumble into the lower level of the library. There it is, A.P.E.X.. Your hands are shaking in excitement. Your lanyard jingles. As you walk in, you’re greeted by Jennifer Griffin. Who’s Jennifer Griffin? I’m glad you asked! Before coming to Wooster, Griffin served as associate academic dean and professor of psychology at Thiel College in Greenville, Penn. She’s also worked as an administrative faculty member at other colleges for more than 30 years. “Wow,” you might think, “that’s very impressive. But why is she at Wooster?” Well, now she’s the new Dean of A.P.E.X.! And she’s looking to help you accomplish all of your goals. You wanna study penguins in Greenland during your sophomore year? She is the one you want to talk to (or maybe you need to talk to someone else at A.P.E.X.. She’s more of a big picture person, I think. Academic hierarchies can be confusing). Don’t know how to write a resumé? That’s fine, A.P.E.X. will teach you. Oh yeah, by the way, A.P.E.X. stands for career Advising, Planning and EXperiential learning. It’s quite the backronym. “Great,” you say to yourself, “I sure am ready to experience some learning. But how do I know Griffin’s the real deal?” Just listen to what Carolyn Newton, the College’s provost, said about her: “Her student-centered and highly collaborative approach makes her a great addition to the positive culture that is the heart of A.P.E.X..” (Again, academic hierarchies are confusing. I’m not too sure what a provost is, but Newton seems nice.) Here’s what Griffin has to say in her own words. During her first few months here, she’s learned a lot about the College, and her goals going forward are the following: “One: listen to the students, faculty and staff to determine how A.P.E.X. might optimally collaborate with various campus constituents to provide the best educational experiences for our students. Two: promote the importance of the co-educational experiences offered by A.P.E.X. to internal and external constituencies (e.g. Wooster alumni, local and regional businesses). Three: learn how A.P.E.X. is currently assessing student learning and work toward developing an efficient and sustainable assessment process,” said Griffin. Clearly, Griffin is motivated and enthusiastic to make not only A.P.E.X., but also the College, as a whole, a better place. Moreover, she understands you may be anxious as you go through college, but that’s part of A.P.E.X.’s job: “For the past few years I’ve heard students talking about how anxiety-provoking or intimidating ‘adulting’ is. During their four years of undergraduate education students are asked to select a major, gain leadership qualities, find work experience, be involved in campus activities, complete an independent study and decide between a path that leads directly to a career or to a graduate program. It’s a very pressure-filled four years. A.P.E.X. welcomes students to walk the stages of this journey with the support of wise, experienced advisors. The staff in our center works holistically with students to help them understand their own talents, formulate their goals and develop the skills (and ability to articulate those skills) they’ll need to be productive members of the world.” “But wait,” I can hear you saying, “enthusiasm and compassion are great and all, but why should I trust her with my future? Does she have the experience and expertise to back it up?” Does she ever. She has more than 30 years of experience, and here’s what she has to say about working at institutional programs like A.P.E.X. during that time: “One of the most important things I’ve learned from students is that mentors may be found in surprising places. Students find their mentors not only in the classroom, but also when seeking career advice, working at their on-campus job, finding an internship or exploring the possibilities of studying abroad. While one student may find their I.S. advisor to be their most influential mentor, another may realize that their mentor is the person in the Learning Center who taught them how to most effectively manage their time, or the food-service worker who encouraged them each day to do their best. In this role, it’s important to express to students that valuable learning can and does happen all around us, if we are open to it.” So if you find yourself at your wit’s end and if you’re trying desperately to navigate your way through college, fear not. Griffin and the lovely people at A.P.E.X. would love to help.
