Meet Dana Parsons, Coeur d'Alene Enrollment Specialist at Lewis-Clark State University.
A native of Southeastern Ohio, she graduated from Muskingum University in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Dana and her husband ran her computer repair shop in a college town for two years, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they packed up their belongings to live closer to her sister and brother. All together she decided to move to Coeur d'Alene in September 2020. – her in-laws and young nephew. She began working at LC State University in December 2021 after briefly taking classes at the College of North Idaho and joining NIC's student newspaper, the Sentinel. Throughout her experience at Muskingum University, she became deeply involved with radio stations and newspapers as an editor. She was a television station director and videographer, and Dana's time at the Sentinel made her decide that her goal was to earn a master's degree in communications to teach media at the higher education level. When she's not working helping her students complete their degrees or working on graduate school assignments, she enjoys playing PC games, digital art, painting, and spending time with her best friends and husband. .
1) What is your favorite memory from university?
I spent my first year at university commuting. Muskingum University was 10 to 15 minutes from her house, so my mom would drive me to class at 7:30 a.m., and my dad would pick me up after work around 6 p.m. He gave it to me. I couldn't afford to take the high school driving test. I couldn't drive myself because I couldn't go to school and I was so anxious about taking tests. This created a lot of isolation. I spent hours in the library just doing homework. My husband (boyfriend at the time) was a great guy and was there for me as much as he could. In a last-ditch effort to make friends, I joined my college radio station as her DJ. My major was criminal justice. I became good friends with my trainer and one night after a training session she asked me to go get some food and she asked me if I wanted to hang out with her and another radio DJ. I was so excited that I frantically called my girlfriend's father and told her, “Please don't come pick me up yet, because I might have made some friends.'' It was so exciting to have that first connection with someone. These two became my closest friends in college, and I spent my second and third years on campus with them.
2) What do you enjoy about introducing people to LCSC and helping them become part of the Warrior family?
I love working with students who feel college is not for them, that earning a degree will take too long, or that it will cost too much. I believe that college should be accessible to anyone who wants to earn a degree. Often, prospective students chat with me and have great doubts about their abilities and chances of success in college. I enjoy being able to show students from all walks of life, ages, and demographics that earning a college degree is not impossible. I love being a support system for my students and showing them that the Warrior family supports them not only in education but in all aspects of life.
3) Why is higher education important for individuals and for society as a whole?
Higher education is an invaluable asset to society, and the most common notion is that college is a means to get a job (although that is very important), but also that individuals grow in an environment that fosters that growth. also possible. In my case, I was a very shy and anxious child. If you have to talk to someone, even someone you know, you'll probably have a panic attack. As I graduated from college, getting involved in student media and sororities and being forced to come out of my shell helped me grow into a better person and explore new paths I never thought possible. I was able to explore. That's university. That is the value of higher education for individuals. Learning how to think critically, express and explain ideas, understand basic research methods, gain leadership skills, and express empathy are all very important and important in higher education. These are all things that are useful for cultivating. It can open doors in an individual's personal, academic, and professional life. People with degrees are more likely to be involved in their communities, participate in civic activities, and earn higher incomes on average. I may be biased, but for me higher education is one of the most important institutions in society.
4) What would people be surprised to know about you?
I'm a huge nerd! I love PC gaming and actually built myself a custom pink PC. Some of my favorite games include Minecraft, Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, Left 4 Dead, The Sims, and Animal Crossing. I've been a lifelong fan of The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and comic books. When I started dating my otaku husband, he introduced me to anime to add to my list of nerdy interests. I like various anime, but I especially like Studio Ghibli works, and my favorite is “Kiki's Delivery Service.” As an artist, I'm also interested in art supplies, so if you see me in an art supply store, you're probably looking at fine line felt markers or brightly colored inks.
5) What are some important pieces of advice you would give to students who are nervous or anxious about starting or returning to college?
My biggest advice is to never give up if your goal is to go to college. My family couldn't afford to send me to college, and during my senior year of high school, I seriously doubted my ability to attend college. Thanks to scholarships and a Pell Grant, I was able to attend his four-year college with almost no debt. I am so grateful that I never gave up. University opened more doors for me than anything else.
Another piece of advice is to embrace change. Change is scary, I totally understand that idea. If I hadn't embraced change, I wouldn't have joined my college radio station, met some great people, and gained some great skills. If I hadn't embraced change, I wouldn't have closed my business, he would have driven 3,100 miles to Idaho to start a new life, and I wouldn't have ended up in my current job. Change is tough and scary, but I guarantee you that the great results of change are better than staying put because of fear.
Finally, take advantage of your resources. We are here for you as representatives of the university! The entire university offers a variety of resources for students. If you're not sure what you need, you can always contact us and we'll help you get what you're looking for. Whether you're considering enrolling, just starting, halfway through your degree, or nearing graduation, you're never alone in the college process.
