Ask the Dean: Angela Trethewey
Angela Trethewey has been the Dean for the College of Communication and Education for years. Her professional journey is full of rich experiences. She has taught as a professor, has co-authored multiple textbooks, and is a part of numerous committees dedicated to improving the college experience for all. To learn more about her journey to becoming Dean, we decided to sit down and ask her a few questions about her life and what advice she can offer to students just starting on their career journey.
How would you describe what a dean does?
A dean is another word for leader in higher education. As Dean, I am responsible for leading and managing our academic organization, the College of Communication and Education. In that role, I am tasked with managing our annual budget, being responsible for the delivery and integrity of our programmatic offerings, and supporting and advocating for our students, faculty, and staff.
What led to you becoming the Dean of the College of Communication and Education?
I always loved learning about Communication as an undergraduate, so much so that I ended up getting a Master's Degree here at Chico State. As a graduate student, I got to do two things that I absolutely loved -- learn more about the power of communication in personal and professional life and teach college classes. I stayed on the path as a learner and got my PhD and became a College professor.
While I absolutely adored teaching, I also learned that I liked helping my Department to learn and grow as a unit. Soon, I began taking on more responsibility and broader leadership roles and found. Then, I had the wonderful opportunity to come back to Chico State to serve as the leader of the academic college which launched me on this wonderful career and life. I didn't have a plan, but I did continue to take every opportunity to learn, grow and expand my skills!
What does your average day look like?
I wake up early to give myself time to enjoy a cup of french press coffee and do the Trethewey women's wordle competition before I work out and enjoy a lovely high-protein breakfast (prepared during meal prep day on Sunday).
At work, I spend time working on projects, meeting with colleagues, and trying to find creative solutions and build opportunities.
After work, I look forward to coming home to spend some time with my sweet doggies, Jack and Winnie! We go for a long walk every evening before dinner (which was also likely prepared during Sunday meal prep extravaganza). Later in the evening I wind down in a good book, a conversation with my loved ones, or a scrabble game.
What do you like most about your job?
I love that I get to continue to learn from my faculty, students and administrative colleagues! Our college offers so many diverse programs and I continue to learn from all of them. One day, I might come in and learn about a research project on the impact of collagen supplements on muscle recovery and the next day I could be learning more about how teachers can leverage assistive technology to ensure young learners have access to course materials in k-12 settings.
Our faculty and students continue to inspire me and to challenge me to think about how we can continue to best serve them and help prepare them for professional and personal lives that are meaningful and satisfying.
What advice would you give to new students attending college for the first time?
Every time you take a class or complete an assignment, think about the transferable skill you've used successfully in that context. Did you work in a group? That is an opportunity to practice collaboration. Did you have to share what you learned with your classmates? That's an opportunity to hone your presentational skills? Did you write a research proposal? That's you analyzing and synthesizing information? Did you create a portfolio of your design work? That's creativity! AI can't compete with that! Start cataloging, articulating, and narrating your skills along your journey.
The other piece of advice I would give is to take advantage of all the opportunities to learn and grow while you are here!
How can students manage life’s conflicts and challenges?
Conflict gets a bad rap, but if we approach conflict from the perspective of a learner, it can create opportunities for us to grow individually and strengthen our relationships. While there is no single "best way" to do conflict, I think there are some principles that can help to navigate conflict more productively. Here are just a few:
First, breathe. Really, when you are in a conflict situation with a colleague, friend, roommate, family member or loved one, the first thing I try to do is pause, take a deep breath, and settle myself both physically and psychologically. Simple breathing techniques can help us to deescalate rather than ramp up a conflict.
Second, listen. Sometimes we react to the meanings we ascribe to others' behavior rather than actively listening to their concerns. Practice listening without planning your next conversational move or thinking of all the reasons your conversational partner is wrong. Instead, try to figure out what they are actually saying.
Third, ask. One helpful strategy to learn what the other person needs/wants is to simply ask. Ask, "What would you like to have happened?" While you may not be able to provide their desired solution, knowing the answer can help you to navigate a more productive path forward.
Fourth, be firm and flexible. When you are trying to find a solution, you should never waiver in your principles and values, but you can remember that there are many, varied paths to take toward an equitable solution. Stay firm on your values, but be flexible in terms of potential outcomes.
Fifth, remember that conflict is rarely about the "thing." In most conflicts, the "fight" or "argument" is typically not about the thing we are actually arguing about. Maybe you and your roommate quibble about whose turn it is to take out the garbage or how long is an appropriate time for a dish to sit in the sink before it gets put in the dishwasher? Is it the garbage or the dish we care about? Probably not, it likely has more to do with our feelings of control and being able to control or manage our environments in ways that make us feel safe, supported, and calm. Just knowing that can help us to find better solutions.