6 minute read
FSU Goes Virtual
Florida State University began a new chapter in its history Monday, March 23, 2020, when the entire campus moved remote in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In just two weeks, FSU transitioned about 42,000 students, 3,000 faculty and instructors, and 6,500 full-time staff into this new era of remote learning and working.
We asked an FSU student, faculty and staff representative a few questions about their virtual experience.
Student: Jalaycia Lewis (B.S.W. ’20)
Jalaycia Lewis graduated from Florida State in May 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She served in various leadership roles across the university including 2018-2020 FSU Student Alumni Association president, 2018-2019 Alumni Relations chair with the CARE Leadership Council and 2018-2020 ex-officio with the FSU Student Foundation. Lewis will be returning to FSU in the fall to pursue her graduate degree in the area of macro social work and nonprofit management.
Faculty: Mark Zeigler (M.S. ’89)
Mark Zeigler, teaching professor in the College of Communication and Information, has been teaching public speaking to Florida State students for more than 20 years. Zeigler, who was inducted into the FSU Alumni Association’s Circle of Gold in 2014, has announced graduates’ names at FSU commencement ceremonies since 2009. Though graduates’ names were not individually announced during FSU’s Spring 2020 virtual graduation, Zeigler still played an integral role in the ceremony as keynote speaker.
Staff: Whitney Powers (B.S. ’09)
Whitney Powers serves as director of alumni programs and outreach at the FSU Alumni Association. She has been managing the Alumni Association’s events since 2010, creating gatherings for FSU alumni all around the world. Powers is a Florida Panhandle native who enjoys all things Florida, especially sunshine, the beach and camping at local state parks with her daughter (FSU class of 2034) and husband.
Q&A
What were some of the changes you made in your day-to-day routine during this virtual transition?
Jalaycia Lewis: Since the virtual transition was so swift, immediate changes were essential. My routine completely changed to creating an office space at my dining table, establishing times to go outside and bask in the sun, and I even had the opportunity to binge watch Netflix and Hulu shows, without feeling too guilty.
Mark Zeigler: All lectures became Zoom meetings, but we kept it synchronous. My goal was to keep the same schedule even though everyone had left campus and were all over the world. The Fundamentals of Speech course, by nature, requires human interaction.
Whitney Powers: Within a few days my role of wife, mother and professional quickly transformed into newly defined roles. Professionally, I worked with my team to discover our new way of communicating and working with each other through virtual platforms. I empowered my team to think about rebuilding a schedule that prioritized work-life balance. Personally, I realized I too needed to be flexible in my schedule, accepting that each day multi-tasking can look completely different.
What were some challenges you faced in this virtual space?
Jalaycia Lewis: The drastic change in routine increased my anxiety and fear significantly throughout the transitioning stages; however, my greatest challenge was a lack of motivation. I was drained leading up to graduation and post-grad life has not been easy either. I felt that I had failed even as I celebrated one of the most important days of my life.
Mark Zeigler: The main challenges involved the giving of speeches. We allowed students to upload a tape of their speeches, but other students were required to watch the recordings and give feedback to their classmates. Many students were very creative with these and some even approached them as “on location” news reports. We also gave them the option of giving the speeches live in their regularly scheduled Zoom small group meetings. None of this would have been possible without the eight absolutely wonderful graduate student teaching assistants (TA) with whom I work in the School of Communication.
Whitney Powers: Before COVID-19, our primary engagement was in person. For the first time ever, we quickly developed a virtual engagement strategy and best practices. We identified new avenues of engaging with our 367,000 alumni by creating programs such as Webinar Wednesday, Never Miss a Monday workout series and Student Alumni Association Speaker Series. Learning these platforms and implementing our new strategies within weeks of working remote proved to be a rewarding challenge. Through this experience, we are engaging alumni who we never have before.
Illustration by Lindsey Masterson
Is there anything you learned or gained from the remote experience that will enhance your in-person interactions from now on?
Jalaycia Lewis: This experience has challenged me to draw new connections, analyze my thoughts differently and expand my concept of grace within my relationships. These items have already enhanced my in-person interactions. It is my hope to make lasting changes as I continue to evolve professionally and personally.
Mark Zeigler: What I learned is that I cannot wait to get back into the classroom. In the case of the pandemic, it was fine. But there were so many exchanged messages — from student to student, student to TA, professor to TA, TA to student — about how much we miss each other and how much we miss the in-class experience. You choose Florida State because of superb undergraduate classroom experiences. When you take those away, FSU changes. It is our strength; it is why many of us choose to be at FSU.
Whitney Powers: Through this experience I was able to identify new skill sets within myself and my team. The virtual setting allowed for their strengths to shine in a new way that enhanced our programming. The planner in melearned that it is OK to feel comfortable with uncertainty. While we won’t always know what is right around the corner, we do know we are in this together.
How did your view of remote learning/working change because of this experience?
Jalaycia Lewis: Leading up to this moment I had never been too fond of online courses. In fact, I have avoided them. This experience has altered my personal view of remote learning/working because I now see it as an additional, efficient tool to be transformed into workplaces and institutions. Technology and virtual tools are being embraced in a way that we have never seen before.
Mark Zeigler: My view of remote learning did not change. It will work in a pinch. It is not the best way to learn communication; it is a way to learn communication.
Whitney Powers: I am pleasantly surprised that this challenge did not slow our team down and provided more space for us to think creatively. We quickly adapted to working remote while learning new technology and virtually enhancing relationships with alumni and friends.
How has this transition allowed you to have a deeper appreciation for Florida State University?
Jalaycia Lewis: During March, I remember allocating a folder in my Outlook account for the email communications we were receiving from administration. I understood that March was just the beginning. This transition, coupled with a virtual commencement, has been difficult. But in unprecedented times, the Seminole family has stepped up and shown what being a part of this family truly means.
Mark Zeigler: I do have a deeper appreciation of FSU students and the university. We changed everything in a matter of days. We had so many students not missing classes, turning in excellent work, writing and speaking well, and still engaging with each other. What I learned is that FSU students and faculty are deeply committed to each other, to learning, and to FSU. That is what I learned, that is what I already knew.
Whitney Powers: Some of my fondest memories working in alumni relations is seeing the Seminole family united at an alumni event. The pandemic has taught me how precious in-person engagement is and the importance of human connection. I will always appreciate the spirit of the Florida State family, rain or shine.
