Jessica Fournier Sees That Anything Is Possible in Her Career
By: Montana Stephens
“I’m a millennial I am looking for the next big thing. I don’t want to hit the top of my career before I am thirty.” Jessica expressed with determination.
Jessica sits in her office behind her paper-filled desk attaching papers for an event with an empty Calendar, a giant Leader Scholar goals list, and To-Do list on her whiteboard between two triangular College flags on her wall behind her knowing that this is one stop on her career path.
Jessica Fournier is currently the Assistant Director of Student Engagement. She came here in January 2019 towards the beginning of the Spring Semester from being Assistant Director of Student Activities at the Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania.
Jessica’s journey was not always set on being an Assistant Director of Student Engagement. She has originally wanted to work with elementary students; working with college students was “Something figured out late in the game.”
Jessica ended her Bachelor’s with an Elementary Education and Teaching Degree. She said, “Almost halfway through senior year in college I was accepted to be a guidance counselor.” But, she soon realized, “I prefer working with students who struggle it’s why I got into higher education.”
While helping the students that already exceed in college is a plus for Jessica. The ones she really wants to make a difference with are the ones that struggle. Jessica wants to be able to help them turn around and leave college with a positive note. Instead of regretting going to college in the first place.
Jessica is motivated by “seeing the needs of the students and making sure they get it.” She had amazing experiences at college and wants to ensure current students of hers also have a positive experience.
This realization encouraged Jessica to get in contact with her undergraduate advisor at UMaine Orno and figure out what she could do to work with college students. Her undergraduate advisor, L.C., told her that the job she was looking for was his.
So, she went on to get her Masters in higher education administration at Marywood University. Where she worked as a student engagement employee within the Greek system.
While getting her Master’s degree Jessica formed a close bond with her mentor Cali. Cali helped shape who Jessica is on a professional level. In admiration, Jessica talked about what Cali did for her.
“Cali, she took a grab on me when I didn’t know what I was doing.” Not only did Cali take Jessica under her wing she also gave Jessica a phrase she has used ever since graduate school. Cali told Jessica, “Once you’re my student you will always be my student.”
Jessica has carried Cali’s phrase with her through the Universities she has worked at. She wants to make sure that students understand, “Once you’re my student you are always my student, even if I don’t work at the school still I will always be a resource.”
This came in hand for one of Jessica’s former students who wanted to go to Law school. The student asked Jessica to write her a recommendation letter for the Law school she wanted to get into. The student had just recently emailed Jessica letting her know how well she is doing because of her.
Haley Arnold-Fuchs, a current sophomore at UNE that is an employee of Jessica’s talked very highly of her as well.
“She’s the type of person that will make sure that if something goes wrong she will fix it right away. I have no problem coming to her with concerns because she takes everything seriously and treats us with respect.”
Not only do students see how motivated and passionate Jessica is, but her fellow employees have also picked up on it as well.
Jamie Small, a Coordinator of Student Engagement at UNE expressed how compassionate and willing Jessica is to help anyone she can. On top of being someone who, “Likes to have every puzzle piece in place, with a plan B and plan C just in case.”
Jamie goes on to talk about how Jessica loves working with students and is always putting in more time to make sure things are going the way they are supposed to be. Jamie also mentions how “Jessica has numerous lists of things she needs done and when Jessica says that she will do something she will take care of it.”
Bob Eagle the Facility Manager of the Campus Center also sheds some light on who Jessica is as a fellow employee.
“She not only cares about her success, but also the success of those around her. She is the type of person that is the “glue” that holds a successful team together.”
Looking through what advisors, students, and fellow employees have to say about Jessica makes it clear, how passionate she is about students and the connection she likes to have with them even after graduation.
“Working in higher education is something you need to be passionate about; it’s not a job it’s a career path.” Jessica feels that it is essential that people who are interested in this career path of higher education know, “You are teaching essential skills to students for life after school.”
While Jessica enjoys her career at this point in her life; being Assistant Director of Student Engagements is not Jessica’s end goal.
“Dean of students at a small private institution or go back and get a law degree to be a risk manager for an institution operational standpoint.”
Being the Dean of students means to handle student cases student by student. Jessica would have to go back to school to get her EDD to be able to become Dean. Whereas, the Risk Manager deals with risks that concern the entire campus. In order to be a Risk Manager, Jessica would need to get a Law degree.
With either option, she wants to work at a small private institution where she can get to know students on the campus and help them prosper throughout college.
Jamie Small also sees Jessica, “Moving forward in Student Affairs, one day a Director and possibly moving up the chain even further.”
Along with Jamie Small, Bob Eagle can see Jessica, “Should she choose, she could ascent to an associate dean or dean level position within an institution of higher learning.”
However, Jessica takes note that, “Anything can change endgame can be anything at this point.”
