October 2008 Archives

I was excited about the opportunity to blog on the Simmons Reconnect site because I now get the chance to reconnect with classmates and connect with the larger Simmons community. My experience at the School of Management both as an employee and a student was amazing and life changing. What I miss most is the mental stimulation and interaction of the staff, students, and faculty which exposed me to so many different perspectives. I always found it interesting that the discussion of one case study could yield a vast array of views and opinions...it made me wonder sometimes, "Did we read the same case?" But always in a good way. Blogging for Simmons will give me a chance to engage with the Simmons community, share my thoughts and continue to learn from you. I also look forward to feeling more connected to Simmons since I am no longer in the Boston area. With all the technological advancements, physical distance no longer means the same thing. Interestingly, I went on a business trip to California this week. As I was looking for something good and juicy to read, I came across a rack of Harvard Business School books. They are small books, quick reads and inexpensive. They feature different topics like "Managing Up" and "Business Communications" but all intended to help you become a better professional...in five minutes...how does that really work? Seriously though, they are very interesting...check them out. I purchased one for a friend from the Lessons Learned Series and of course had to read at least one chapter to validate the quality of the gift...not at all because I was tempted to keep it for myself.  In Straight Talk from the World's Top Business Leaders, Linda Gratton, Professor of Management Practice at the London Business School spoke of the importance of intentionally spending time with people who are different from you. Mix your life with people from different countries, different personalities, different interests, etc., she said. She apparently spent some time at the Royal College of Art and observed how fine artists are taught..quite a contrast to business school I am sure. To make a long story short, she walked away with a new approach that she felt could be applied to her program to make it more innovative and effective. So, in a nutshell, I am looking forward to hearing from all types of people and really tapping into the amazing people of the Simmons College community.

FNCE, which stands for Food and Nutrition Conference and Exposition, is the annal meeting of the American Dietetic Association.  This is the professional organization for Registered Dietitian (I am an RD).  I am writing this at FNCE, which this year is in Chicago.

O'Hare airport is amazing, I can't believe that at 11:30 pm on a Sunday, it was very busy. There was probably about 100 people waiting for taxi (I didn't count carefully).  I won't have time to do any site-seeing, which is usually the case with conferences. I attended several talks today that provided me with new materials for my teaching, and I checked out many new food products at the Exposition. And now here I am, at 9:46pm Eastern Time, I have just finished reviewing a scientific report submitted to a journal (maybe I'll talk about this in another entry). But I want to jot a few lines on this blog about my trip. 

I called my kids earlier, and everything seems to be under control. But I won't be back home until late Tuesday night. Let's hope that my husband can hold down the fort for another day.

When asked as to why I wanted to be a part of this project, my initial response was "it sounds like fun," then I decided to give it a bit more thought and review my relationship with Simmons.

     As I think back on my four years at Simmons College, I realized that I had several jobs on campus through work-study. I sat bells at various dorms and Hillel House, I worked in Bartol Hall scraping and stacking dishes for the washer and wiping down tables. I was a student advisor my sophomore year, and worked in the admissions office giving tours to perspective students and accompanying admissions counselors to local college fairs.

          After I graduated, I attended some of the alumnae events given in New York City and represented Simmons at my high school's college fair. I attended my 10^th year reunion and even stayed in the same dorm and room from freshman year, Simmons Hall, room 233. Most recently, I attended an event in Atlanta this past spring for Simmons Alumnae, where we talked shared experiences and started new friendships.  

          I met my best friends the first week of school freshman year and I am God-mother/auntie to their children. Even though we have moved around and the priorities in our lives changed, we always kept in touch and reminded each other that we are Simmons women. We still remark about how going to Simmons College was one of the best decisions that we made in our lives.

So here, I am contributing to the Simmons Reconnect blog making my involvement with Simmons come full-circle. I am hoping to rekindle friendships with classmates, share ideas, offer help where ever I can and of course have fun!   

When the Department of Communications launched the careers of the women who grace the Wall of Honor, Professor Alden Poole was Chair.

When then Interim President Dan Cheever first addressed the Simmons community publicly, he had a timeline of the college posted as we entered and we added personal comments with our Magic Markers. During the gathering Dan saw that I had listed my own birthday and asked what I'd like as a present. I asked him for the President's reserved parking space which he had just given up along with the idea of an Imperial Presidency. He appreciated my sense of humor. I did not receive the space.

When President Susan Scrimshaw responded to my fears that the "grassy quad" would be all concrete, she said, "My dream is of a green 'urban oasis', with trees (yes, they will grow), with a corner or two to sit and read a book or think.I dream of paths which are not straight, but which force us to break our deliberate strides.I see art, and a lot of green." Oh well, I guess we can always spray paint it.

When Gwen Ifill moderates the vice presidential debates I will be remembering. I paid good cash money to attend Simmons' First Black Alumnae Symposium, and I cut her out of the crowd and greeted her in what was seen as a mutual bear hug. She surprised me years before by recognizing me sitting at the bar of a fine hotel (I must have been there by accident) and by delighting her friends by clearly enunciating my name. And proclaiming some imaginary nonsense about the professor with the long white beard. Hugs ensued. She always mentions Professor Alden Poole. And Gwen Ifill so loves Simmons.

It is not on page 29 of the 2008-2010 Catalog. At least I couldn't find it there when I looked. Honor Code of Responsibility. Where the heck was it?

I found it on-line. Student Handbook. You see I was wondering if students are supposed to turn in other students they see cheating? Do they still tell you that?

I had to look under "Judicial System" to find that. My gosh what a lot of her/him & she/he. What's wrong with "they" and "them"? But I digress. Did I put that question mark in the right place at that close quote?

So, see cheating? Be encouraged to urge the person to report themselves.

You see, I got this e-mail from Human Resources about "whistle blowing", a new Simmons policy on reporting financial slugmuggery. I was a bit taken aback. Of course my "morale" not to be confused with my morals, is extraordinarily high - it has to be to attain the rank and title of Cheerful Professor. But the morale of many of my colleagues is pretty dismal, considering the financial state of this institution outlined on the Voice's front page last week.

My first reaction was first (yes, I said that twice), "Is this the best way to bolster morale, Human Resources?" and then to huff and puff with all kinds of ideas to report to the secret whistle blowing website. My gosh, you know, it was millions of dollars.

I am Googeling "punctuation and quotation marks" now.

Oh, do you think I got around to making a point?

A farewell poem

she showed me

The Cupboard

Under The Stairs

at Lee Street

the President's home

there is one

a Cupboard Under The Stairs

she showed me

because

we both love Harry Potter

a Lady walked among us

Hello Everyone,

This is my first time blogging.  I have agreed to blog because it is an interesting experience. But I hope this is not going to be a one-way thing -- with me talking all the time. I would love to hear your thoughts.  So please feel free to write back, as well as tell me what you would like me to blog about.

A day in the life of professors? Well, there is no standard. There are 3 generally areas: teaching, research, and "service".  Teaching is self explanatory (it includes student advising), research is also reasonably self explanatory. "Service" is not so self-explanatory so let me explain.  I am in several committees within the College and I chair one of those committees, that's part of "service". The service can also include activities in professional organizations. For example, I am a member of the Nominating Committee of the Research Dietetics Practice Group, which is a sub-group within the American Dietetic Association. I am also a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Nutrition.

So needless to say, I am quite busy. A good part of my work can be done outside the office, so which means I end up working at all hours of the day, and all days of the week. As a matter of fact, after my kids go to bed (ie, around 8pm), I turn on my computer and run statistical analysis for my research. That is generally how I spend my evenings.

Oh well, that gives you a glimpse of what my professional life is like. I'll talk about something else next time.

The African Gray hen on my left hand in the photo, G, came to live with our family nearly 19 years ago; long before I came to Simmons.  We bought her as a newly hatched chick from breeders Janet and Gary Lilienthal.  Imagine my surprise three years ago when I discovered that Janet is a Simmons alum.  Janet's career at Simmons never did focus on parrots.  She helped run a smoking cessation program for the state as a health educator.  At lunch with Janet two years ago, I learned that G's mother still lives in her home.  Janet stopped by our house to visit on her way home, but I can't say that G recognized her.  It is indeed a small world!

G is indeed a great talker, but very independent minded and we often find ourselves quite suprised by what she chooses to repeat.

Don't ever invite a Vampire into your house, you silly boy.

Thus, the fine character actor Edward Hermann, delivers these lines in the 1987 film The Lost Boys. And so begins the climactic battle between good and evil once again.

You see, people should be careful about whom they invite into their homes.

Simmons College has always been an institution focused on change. When many other women's colleges seemed like finishing schools that strictly prepared women for marriage, Simmons was dead-set on producing graduates who were fully equipped to join the work force. Decades later, Simmons is evolving during this technological revolution, when computers and PDAs have become as vital as the telephone. That's why it's so important that Simmons students, faculty, and graduates stay connected through blogging. While I admit I was once one of the detractors who thought blogs were simply online diaries, I now realize how important a role they play in today's world. Consider the hundreds of bloggers who descended upon the Democratic and Republican conventions this year. Faster than newspapers or television, people sitting at home or at work on their computer are able to get up-to-the-minute information. While those other forms of media are still essential in today's world, the internet is bringing the world closer through a web of technology that's faster than lightning. And since Simmons has always encouraged the importance of social change, it's completely appropriate for the college to embrace changes in technology as well. With members of the Simmons family spread across the globe participating in amazing activities ranging from teaching in remote villages to producing movies, it's important we stay connected to the institution that taught us the skills we utilize every day. I jumped at the chance to blog for Simmons, and not just because I write as a career. My college experience was truly life changing, and I share the details with others every opportunity I find. Throughout the upcoming months, I'm going to discuss a variety of topics that resonate deeply with me. A few examples are the struggle to succeed academically in a challenging environment, the presence of stress and anxiety on college women, and the transition from college to post-graduate life. I'm looking forward to sharing my Simmons experience with our fabulous community. While I've emphasized the importance of transition throughout this post, I can guarantee my passion for Simmons College is one quality that will never change.

Hello fellow Simmons alumnae/i!

Welcome to the brand new reconnectwithsimmons blogazine.  I am so excited to be a part of this initiative aimed at reaching out to alums around the world and getting us all re-engaged with the Simmons community that has shaped us so well into the professional and community leaders we are today.

I live in Somerville, MA and work in Boston, so I have been lucky to be able to easily stay connected with the local Simmons community in person since my graduation several years ago.  If you haven't had a chance to visit the campus in the past couple of years, you would be surprised at how different the campus looks but you probably would not be surprised to know that Simmons has continued to stay on the forefronts of social activism and exciting new technology with the new green School of Management building and the beautiful state-of-the-art library.  If you find yourself in the neighborhood of the campus at any point, I highly recommend stopping by and taking a tour of each - they are really amazing!

Personally, I am able to hear about each new development at Simmons from an insider's perspective.  In January of this year, I launched a financial planning firm in Boston called Lantern Financial, LLC.  Each semester, I recruit several interns to help me grow my business, and until now, all have come from the Simmons community.  Each student has impressed me with her excitement about and willingness to rise to the difficult challenges of launching a start-up company.  (If you are considering interesting ways to pump some creativity into your business, I would highly recommend interns from the Simmons community - they might be just what you are looking for!)

I spend lots of time here at my company helping my clients find ways to save money in order to more easily reach their long term goals.  Here in this blog, watch for posts from me about this very topic.  I plan to share creative solutions to live each day less expensively, but still reach those goals that are important to you.  Each time I post, I will focus on a different aspect of your life and offer suggestions on how to avoid breaking the bank, but still live the lifestyle that you enjoy.  I hope that this will be an interactive conversation between us.  When I post about a topic that's interesting to you, please comment on the post and share your own ideas and solutions related to that topic.  In today's shaky economy, we can all use a little guidance to know how and where to cut back!

So, stay tuned - and please let me know what you think and what you would like to see!  Over the next few months, I have lots of ideas for topics.  I may help you book your holiday travel for less; update your wardrobe without spending your whole paycheck; give gifts more thoughtfully; get in shape for less; determine how much your vices are costing you; date on the cheap... and lots more!  Let me know what is important to you and I will be happy to focus on those areas.

Thanks for reading - I wish you a financially successful day!
Lisa

We were asked to write about why we agreed to be a part of this project for our first blog entry.  To respond to that question, I would like to go back to the beginning of my relationship with Simmons.

When I began my college search, I had only a few main criteria:

• Small school
• In or very close to Boston
• Majors in both English and French

When I put all of those specifications together, I only came up with two schools: Simmons, and Merrimack College in New Hampshire.  At first, I thought, "Oh, crap - a girls' school or a catholic school??"  

Throughout the winter of my senior year, however, I kept receiving messages from Simmons.  Invitations to visit campus, reminders of the college's strong academic record, even phone calls from current students asking if I had any questions.

By the time I received my financial aid award notices in the spring of that year, my mind had already been made to go to Simmons.  I preferred the urban location, and having visited the campus a few times I felt it would be a good fit for me.

During my four years at Simmons, I flourished.  My story is similar to so many others: I thrived in the challenging academic atmosphere with professors who gave me the courage and skills to succeed, I made some of the best friends I've ever had, and the student community leadership opportunities I took advantage of taught me not only how to lead, but also how to be part of a successful team.

Since my graduation in May of 2006, I have tried to stay close to Simmons - which is difficult considering that I have (fairly) permanently relocated to France.  I try to keep in touch with my former classmates and professors, as well as staff members who supervised and assisted me as a student worker.  

Last summer, Kathy Porteus, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions, wrote me to see if I would volunteer to represent Simmons at the Paris College Fair.  Eager to attend, I had a great time spending the afternoon talking about Simmons and sharing my experience with potential students.  I will be representing Simmons once again at this year's fair later on this month.

Thanks to a connection through Robin Melavalin, the Colleges of the Fenway GEO Center Director, I got in touch with Jan Taylor, Associate Director of Alumnae/i Relations.  Jan and I planned a Tea event for alumni and current students studying abroad in Paris with former President Scrimshaw last fall.  

When I received an email recently asking me if I would participate in this blog project, I didn't hesitate on  my response.  Not only do I love to write (and don't do enough of it since my time as a student,) but I really appreciate the ability to stay close to Simmons even from so far away.  I hope that my contribution to this project will help others in numerous ways: a prospective student trying to decide where to attend college, a current student wondering about the possibility of studying/living in France, or an alumni wanting to get back in touch.

I am looking forward to relishing this experience as I have with so many others I've had at Simmons, and I hope you'll participate too through comments and messages.

You know, I could come up with some wonderful-sounding philanthropic reason that I chose to be an alumna blogger for Simmons.  I could tell you all that I really want to foster community and help us all get to know each other as fellow alumni/ae/whatever the heck the ending of that word should be.  I could tell you that I really want to foster the School of Management's presence in our alumni/ae/e-i-e-i-o community.  I could tell you that I hope that whatever humble words I might put in our blogazine might truly help one of you feel closer to the Simmons community.

But I'd be lying.

Bloggers blog for two reasons: they have something to say, and they want people to know about it.  So, why am I part of this initiative?  Because I have something to say, and I want you to "hear" it.

If it helps you get to know your fellow alumni/ae/QED, great.  If it makes you recommend the School of Management to your friends or consider going there yourself, fantastic.  If it helps you feel closer to our community, awesome.

But that's not why I'm here.

I'm here because I have a passion for leadership (specifically, leadership of geeks), a somewhat bizarre point of view, and the desire to spread my ideas.  I'm here because I appreciate the way that the SOM helped me shape my thoughts on leadership and gave me the courage to spew those thoughts all over the internet.  I'm here because I want you to know who I am, and I hope to get to know who many of you are, as well.  I'm here because I want to use the Simmons community for personal and professional gain for myself and others.

What might you hear from me?  If I haven't scared you away yet, you'll probably read posts on communication styles, language, management skills, burn-out, and figuring out geeks.  You'll watch me analyze some of my real-life challenges, and you might even get a peek at some of the skills the SOM forced down my throa--er, taught me.  I hope to make you laugh, and I sincerely wish to make you think.

That's why I blog.  My question for you is, "Why do you read?"  But that might be a conversation for another day.

Every few months I would feel this itch for permanence (or, at least whatever degree of permanence one can get from in essence opening their diary to whatever random and rare individual might browse by) and start a blog all my own.  

I'd post once or twice, self-consciously aware that no one was reading it, get distracted (I often seem to have the attention span of a cat), post something a couple weeks later, forget my password, then forget I even had the blog.  Start all over again.  Rinse, and repeat.  

So when a colleague approached me about this reconnectwithsimmons blog (to which I welcome you, faithful reader), I was both intrigued and apprehensive.  Sure, it would be fun to blog about Simmons and myself and the intersections of the two (I am paraphrasing the description I was given; if I'm misstating it, I'm sure this will be the last post from you will read), but what if I run out of things to say?  What if I have nothing to say?  What if I simply forget the blog is there?

Well, trust me there's always something to say about Simmons, whether it's a surprise visit from a delightful member of the Class of '58 just this morning (Hi, Cookie!) or chatting with an Emeritus Professor about her book on Simmons history and women's education or just wondering what the greened in "quad" behind the MCB will look like when it's finished.  Then on the other hand there's whatever else I happen to be thinking about today (that being the economic outlook of the country and a new biography on Emily Dickinson----and not necessarily in that order).  

So I trust I'll find something to chat about--and am looking forward to seeing others help a conversation spontaneously generate.  And, accepting as fact that if I don't write something down I might well forget it, I've set aside a few moments in my calendar to blog on by every now and again...hope you join me.

When I'm not at Simmons GSLIS working my day job, I write. I'm not going to bore you with maudlin complaints about how writing is such a "lonely profession", but it is something done in solitude (the dog doesn't really count, but don't tell her that). The vacuum this creates can have an odd effect on me. For example, my next novel, The King's Rose, is about Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of King Henry VIII. I've been reading voraciously about Tudor England for the past few years in order to research this book: the history, the people, the clothing, food, music, holy days.... I've discovered some fascinating stuff along the way--or, at least, fascinating to me. When I mention my book to someone and they react with real enthusiasm, I'm thrilled. It's as if some small part of my brain (the hermit-like writer part) is saying "wow, you like Tudor history, too? And here I thought it was just me." Of course it's not just me. But spending most of my days writing alone in an office with a basset hound who shuns my history lessons sometimes makes me think that it is.

This is the great thing about blogging for Simmons. It's a way to share interests with a larger online community. When I'm sitting in the Fens cafeteria, hunched over my manuscript, I often wonder what everyone around me is up to. What are people writing, reading, researching, composing, creating? I think this on the train, too; I could be sandwiched in beside some misunderstood genius on the green line, for all I know. (Those of you who ride the green line might be shaking your heads at this point, but bear with me, please.) Seeing as we have this opportunity to share, consider these questions: Have you just taken an amazing trip? Have you just discovered a new author or artist whose work you want to share with others? Read a good book? Discovered a new hobby? The Simmons blog gives me a great opportunity to share my interests and learn more about the rich community we have here at Simmons. I am excited; the dog is relieved.

If you would like to visit my travel blog and read about my research trip to England, visit: http://alisamlibby.wordpress.com/2008/08/15/england-travel-journal/