My Dog Died & Now I'm Getting A Divorce

Life has a remarkable way of ushering in deeply personal and profoundly transformative transitions. Picture me, the protagonist, losing my beloved sidekick, Piper, in an act that would put a Shakespearean tragedy to shame, serving as the grand finale for my impending divorce. The COVID-19 pandemic threw a series of curveballs at our already rocky relationship. While many couples discovered the horrors of endless togetherness during lockdown, my spouse and I survived and managed to rekindle a deep-rooted connection. Over time, as the state reopened, he returned to work, and I grappled with my newfound unemployment; it became evident that there was no job to return to.

Reflecting on the countless companies and hundreds of job applications I sent out the relentless stream of rejection emails piling up faster than a pack of rabbits on a magic show, and the sobering realization of my dwindling career prospects in higher education, Piper became my unwavering source of daily purpose. Her loving gestures, kissing my face, snuggling with me, and eagerly wagging her tail upon my return from simple tasks such as taking out the garbage made each day more bearable.

Fast forward to 2023, I had meticulously planned a special getaway with my spouse and Piper for June to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. But, in a Shakespearean twist that even the Bard would applaud, Piper exited stage left on May 28th. Leaving my spouse and I to grieve both together and separately. Her absence marked a poignant moment where we immediately transformed into empty-nesters, and it became clear that the ties holding our relationship together had irreparably unraveled. By August, there was little to no kindness left between us. My husband moved out of our home, and we both knew it was time to embark on separate journeys.

Then, on a fateful September 17th, as my husband toiled away at work, I executed the ultimate heist – stuffing my car to the brim and launching on a 2,500-mile escapade to my sister's residence in New Jersey. This transition took me from a home that once housed two adults and a dog to a bustling Brady Bunch meet-the-millennial generation home filled with my sister, her husband, my niece, two nephews, and an endless revolving door of friends. It is here that I've discovered laughter, unconditional love, and the kind of support that only family can provide. My niece and nephews are on their unique life path, with two having graduated college with bachelor’s degrees - one working for the NBA for seven years and the other returning to UNI to further a medical career. The youngest, determined to navigate life without the burden of student loan debts by carving his own way. More importantly, it's here that I've rekindled my passion and love affair with higher education.

Our daily conversations, oscillating from lighthearted banter to thought-provoking debates, have reignited my enthusiasm for academia. We delve into discussions about diversity, tolerance, financial matters, environmental issues, politics, and everything in between. Their perspectives on what an ideal work culture should be and their steadfast belief that they should be proactive rather than waiting for change are truly inspiring.

It is here that I've come to miss the vibrant ecosystem of a campus community—a medley of minds from different generations, intertwining their beliefs, thoughts, and a shared commitment to making the world a better place. I yearn to guide first-generation students as they navigate the complexities of college life, to share my own story as the child of parents who never graduated high school but were fervent advocates of the transformative power of education.

I miss the thrill of department chairs and program managers as they contemplate a new faculty hire, the intellectual camaraderie of faculty luncheons, and the excitement of exploring and teaching innovative technologies and methodologies that can transform a mundane classroom into a bustling circus ring. I miss working with every department as we come together as a community to create a strategic Institutional Effectiveness Plan so we can become better at serving our campus. I miss coaching, training, and developing a team to reach their own career aspirational goals. Most importantly, I miss the sense of purpose, being the ringleader, guiding, training, and motivating staff, faculty, and students in building the grand spectacle of a thriving, vibrant, student-centric campus community.

I’m reaching out to my LinkedIn community to be a part of my journey as? I rediscover my professional identity and embrace new opportunities to inspire and support the academic voyages of others. Propelling myself back on the “dating” job market, juggling first, second, and third dates, AKA interviews, to find that institution with a culture that embraces and channels my passion for higher education, my diverse experiences, and my zeal for fostering an inclusive and supportive academic environment. A role that allows me to contribute meaningfully to an organization and positively impact the lives of students, staff, and faculty. Finding my “match” without the “50 First Dates” (Love Drew Barrymore & Adam Sandler). I remain open-minded and flexible enough to embrace this journey's unexpected turns. I persist and am determined to make a positive impact and embrace life's ever-changing stage with a smile and open heart.

In the grand finale of my first article post, the burning question remains: How can I help shape the future of education?