Donning an N.C. State ball cap and a backpack, Jeffery Braden walked into classes trying to act like a normal student. However, the dean of CHASS wasn’t taking notes on the lectures. He was observing, from the perspective of a student, how the University operates and the dynamic between students and instructors.
Meanwhile, Sarah Hager, a junior in communications, awoke to attend the council of dean’s meeting.
Every year, Dean Braden picks a CHASS student to exchange roles for Dean of the Day, a special event he started three years ago.
“It’s refreshing to get out of the office,” Braden said, “and I like to see how the University functions from a student level. It allows me to go back to work with a clearer vision.”
Although Braden’s day was more relaxed than his normal schedule, he still attended Hager’s classes, which began at 8:30 a.m. and followed her routine until 5:00 p.m. at night.
“I don’t know how Sarah does it,” Braden said to Hager after finishing Hager’s routine DJ shift at WKNC. “It was quite a busy day.”
Hager, on the other hand, prepared herself for a day of briefings and meetings full of many of the highest-ranking officials at the University, including all the academic deans, the provost and various department heads. The first meeting, Council of Deans, discussed the upcoming budget cuts and Hager got an inside view on how the University plans to reanalyze funding.
“I learned how collaborative and thorough the process is that the University official take to deal with this rough budget crisis,” Hager said. “The deans worked in a really professional way and the Provost coordinated the meeting to handle all the topics we discussed. I took a lot away from their teamwork.”
Braden experienced a more casual day, with lunch with students at Mitch’s Tavern and a stint at the radio station. Under the DJ alias, Dr. J, Braden helped announce on the radio for his first time at the station.
“I really enjoyed my time at WKNC,” Braden said. “You guys really play some good music. I thought that I would be sitting through it with a smile on my face the entire time, but I really got into it.”
Between meetings, Hager met with Associate Dean of CHASS, Victoria Gallagher, to discuss the progress of the meetings. Gallagher provided insight to aid the Hager to fully digest and understand the events she jumped into.
During their lunch break, Gallagher and Hager focused their conversation on the direction in which CHASS foresees itself and new developments in the college. CHASS is considering including an additional first-year seminar class similar to introductory course of other colleges.
“With the budget cuts, we’re not sure if we will be able to bring this about, but we’re approaching how to structure it,” Gallagher said.
Moreover, the two discussed the University’s idea to expand Springboard, a professional’s social network similar to LinkedIn for University students.
At the end of the day, Hager and Braden reunited at Mitch’s Tavern for dinner to follow up on their observations throughout the day.
“I think I saw things like Dean for the Day before I actually started it,” Braden said. “But to be perfectly candid, I spent an awfully long time with other administrator and faculty. If I don’t get outside and interact the students occasionally, I won’t be effective as a dean.”
Upon reflecting on her experience, Hager mentioned her relief to view the handling of issues from the inside.
“When March 15 comes, when we start cutting down on the budget, it’s not going to be D-Day for the University,” Hager said. “It was good to hear the news first person and not hear it through the grape vine.”
Braden commented on how impressed and humbled he is to observe his colleagues at work.
“It’s really through things like this that I get to actually talk and hear from other students,” Braden said. “It is a treat to see my colleagues work. They really kick butt. They are awesome teachers. It really came across to me.”
However, both Hager and Braden were ready to switch back to normalcy at the end of the day. Exhausted from the novelty of the day, the two took back new understandings of their positions at the University and a new appreciation for their own schedules.
