By: Emily Delgado
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the largest college at the University of Iowa and graduates more than 60 percent of all undergraduates. But before 2021, something was missing from the Dean’s Office—students.
Two years ago, the Office of the Dean began employing students to help with the day-to-day operations. Spearheaded by Gabbie McDermott, manager of operations, the job exposes students to the behind-the-scenes work that makes higher education tick.
Students come from across the university and help the office in unique ways. Duties include digitizing files, providing graduation correspondence, helping with reports, and, most importantly, creating an inviting environment as they greet visitors at the front desk and answer the phone.
“What we want for anyone who comes into the office is to experience and know that students are the reason we're here,” McDermott explains. “It's awesome to have the students be a part of our team.”
Student employees say they will be able to use the skills they’ve learned in the office after graduation. Their work also provides a rare opportunity to seek advice from the administrators who work there.
“Working in the Dean’s Office has given me the chance to ask people their opinions about the programs they completed and how they think it could benefit me,” Aleah Heims, a rising third-year student studying English and creative writing with minors in business administration and American Sign Language, says.
Carter Shockey, a rising fourth-year student studying sport and recreation management and member of the Hawkeye Marching Band, says it is important for the university to employ students because it allows them to build skills and learn how to work in a professional environment.
“Students are able to figure out what they like and do not like in a job before they leave the university and pursue their careers,” Shockey explains.
Maci Arjes, a rising fourth-year student studying management with minors in political science and communication studies, says she enjoys working at the Dean’s Office because of the friendly, professional atmosphere.
“I have created lifelong relationships as they all truly care about the student workers,” Arjes explains. "I also love how each person who works in the Dean’s Office celebrates each person's successes.”
Share what you appreciate about the student workers in your area. Please email their name, a few sentences of information, and a photo to clas-marcom@uiowa.edu. Your submission could appear on the CLAS Instagram page.