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Staff Join Ranks of Alumnae in the Class of '97

<<<Ann Chenier, compensation specialist in human resources, received her BA in May as a member of the class of '97.

At this year's commencement, employees Pat Serio (senior administrative assistant, women's studies), Eileen Rakouskas (administrative assistant, student activities), and Ann Chenier (compensation specialist, human resources) were among the proud graduates. Staff members enroll through the Frances Perkins Program, which currently has about eleven employees among its students. Kay Althoff, director of the FP Program, says there are more student staff members in the program now than ever before. "Being a student and staff member takes real effort. It can be very stressful. They work weekends, through lunch, come in early, stay late, but all in all they tell me they are delighted by this wonderful benefit, and that they had the chance and took it."

Student staff members typically have some college credits before applying to Mount Holyoke. With her department head strongly encouraging Ann Chenier to continue her education, she first obtained an associate's degree at Holyoke Community College. About five years ago she applied and was admitted to the College and began the long, hard road to her newly minted BA.

"I didn't know initially what I wanted to do," Chenier recalls. "First I fell in love with African American studies, then I really enjoyed education courses." In the end it all came together with a politics major and minors in African American studies and education, and feeling like she was twenty again on Commencement Day. Chenier also recalls the feeling of "eating, sleeping, and breathing Mount Holyoke" at times.

Chenier highly recommends the experience to any eligible staff member, even those who are hesitant. "You never know until you try!" she says from experience, adding, "It's fun to take courses, especially those you enjoy."

The opportunity to connect with students in a new way was particularly valuable to Chenier. "My links with students became very important to me. Being one of them provides a different exposure on their lives and the College. It was also a nice way to meet faculty and develop relationships with them in a different way." Chenier worked closely on independent study projects with politics adviser Vinnie Ferraro, and says that her college experience helped her develop some important skills. "You will learn to write here, we did great group work, you learn to talk in front of groups, and the professors challenge you when you express an opinion, so you'd better be prepared!"