Member Spotlight - Dr. Erin McDonnell-Jones

	Name: Erin McDonnell-Jones Position: Assistant Professor of Teacher Education Number of years in the position: 2 (Previously I was a high school English teacher) Alma Mater: Penn State University Hometown: Kennett Square, PA Classes taught: A variety of education classes in addition to being an adjunct in some English composition classes.

The FARA 15

1. How did you become an FAR?
   The former FAR received a promotion within the university and a colleague submitted my name to the AD.  I was a brand new faculty member, who recently moved to Omaha, NE from Philadelphia, PA and was looking to get more involved, all while missing my connection to athletics.  In my previous life I was a high school English teacher, soccer and basketball coach, and manager of spring sports with the Athletic Director.  So, when this position opened, it was a perfect fit.
2. What is your favorite part of being an FAR?
   Interacting with everyone in the athletic department from the front office, to the coaches, and all of the students
   
   
3. What is the biggest challenge of your job?
   The steep learning curve! I came in mid-year and had to recertify all of the teams.  Thankfully, our Athletic Director and Registrar are kind and patient people who really helped me out.
4. If you could go back to your first day as an FAR, what would you tell yourself?
   Breathe! This is fun- enjoy it.
5. What is your favorite show/movie?
   Friends
6. What has been the highlight of your time as an FAR?
   Attending my first NAIA conference in Kansas City last April.  Brenda and Lendsey’s sessions really helped bring my role into perspective and offered great examples for me to work through and understand.
7. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
   If you don’t know- just ask.  I never hesitate about calling down to the legislative office and asking for clarification.
8. What can you not live without?
   Tough question—I’d say either working out in the early morning with my husband or my glass of wine at the end of the night.
    
9. Who are your favorite teams (other than your school’s of course)?
   Penn State Football (We Are…), the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, all Philadelphia sports teams, and I’m learning to like Nebraska football, albeit slowly.
10. Who was your most memorable or inspiring student that you have worked with and why?
    The most memorable students that I work with are students that come to our school from other countries.  We have many international students from England, Scotland, Germany, Japan, and countries in Africa and Central America.  I always admire their dedication and strength to move so far from home and come join our programs.
11. How does your school approach certifying students in the ECP software?
    We are an anomaly.  Because we have a special calendar, we don’t use ECP and have to certify all of our athletes by hand. So we approach this together, as a team, sit down with each coach and complete the certification process together.
12. What do you like to do in your free time?
    If I’m not at work, I’m either at the gym, outside (if it’s not Midwest cold), reading, playing with my dog, or travelling the world with my husband.
13. If you have a question related to your position as FAR, who do you contact?
    I usually start with our AD because we work so closely together on eligibility.  If he doesn’t know, we’ll reach out to Dave Bass, our FAR representative in the North Star, or call down to Kansas City and ask them.
14. Do you have any pets?
    Yes, as 12-pound shih tzu terror named Indiana Jones.
15. How do you navigate being a part of two different departments on campus?
    This is actually a role I’m well-suited for I work with a wide-variety of students in my classes but I also get to work closely with the athletes.  I see them in my classes occasionally and always enjoy talking and working with them. 

View more FARA 15 Member Spotlights here.