Employee Focus on Jen Bennett
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: Jen Bennett
Current Title: Assistant Dean of Student Services
Pronouns: She/her
Hometown: Champaign, Illinois
Degrees and Institutions Attended: BA Psychology and MS Ed in Higher Education from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. I’m also a certified Coach
Years of Employment: at the College: 10 years on April 1.
Q&A
What brought you to the College of Optometry?
My husband’s job brought us to Columbus in 2014, which meant having to leave a role I loved at Purdue’s Daniels School of Business. I started at Ohio State in the Fisher College of Business and eventually realized I wanted to be in a role that better fit my strengths and interests. In 2016, I discovered that the Director of Student Services opportunity was available at the College of Optometry, and it seemed almost too good to be true—and it ended up being exactly that! I came to the college in 2016 and since then I have always considered myself very fortunate to be in a role that’s been perfect fit for me in a place that has given me so many opportunities to grow!
Describe your typical day at work or describe your position/role.
My job is great because there is not a typical day! Every day is an adventure. I have the great pleasure of leading the people, programs, and services that set OD students up for success throughout their optometry school journey and (if I’m lucky) sometimes beyond! I love working in a small college as I get to play a role in so many different things from recruitment and admissions and onboarding new students, to supporting our current students and providing the leadership and professional development programs that help launch our students into successful careers in optometry.
What brings you the most joy in your work?
I experience a literal ton of joy as I walk alongside students while they grow and change—from their admissions interview to the very first day of orientation all the way to graduation. I learn so much from students as they discover what they’re capable of and begin to see their confidence take shape. It’s truly an honor to play even a small role in someone’s success.
What advice would you give to a new employee at the college?
Get to know as many people as you can in every corner of the college – ask them questions about themselves and their jobs and collaborate with them every chance you get. There are so many good people here who really love what they do and we all have a lot to learn from and offer each other.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
I love to shop, and I read a lot of meaningless but very fun fiction. I’m currently very immersed in my kids’ extra-curricular activities and spend nearly all my free time driving them around. I’m sure I will miss all this very much someday when my Band/Football/Baseball mom days are over.
What was your first job?
I grew up on a farm, so my sister and I worked together to do whatever job we were told to do – my Dad reveled in making us work while all our friends were out having fun. Yet somehow those have become some of my fondest memories – we learned how to work, solve problems, stick together and do hard things. Those lessons have served me well in life.