During Pandemic, KSU Parents Wear Many Hats

Press release from Kennesaw State University:

During Pandemic, KSU Parents Wear Many Hats

There are so many people stepping up in incredible ways during the COVID pandemic.
Since last March, I have watched one particular group with amazement and gratitude
– those working and/or going to school while raising their children. My three children
are all grown. Raising them was the biggest joy in my life. However, it was often
challenging. And I never had to contend with a 2-year-old who was tired of staying
in the house, teaching a middle schooler the fundamentals of algebra, or entertaining
a high schooler who craved the company of someone born in this century.

Below I am highlighting a few members of the Owl family who are doing the pivotal
work of raising their children while they study or work at KSU. Please join me in
making sure they know how much we appreciate their efforts. Their children will be
tomorrow’s teachers, nurses, engineers and entrepreneurs. If we’re lucky, many will
end up attending KSU as well.

Students:

• Balancing full-time classes at KSU and the responsibilities of parenting has been
  challenging for business management major Jessica Howard, who has a daughter in first grade. This spring was especially challenging as she
  juggled her own schoolwork while helping her 6-year-old learn how to read and write.
  “I scheduled my classes to coincide with her classes. Then we work together at night
  on her reading assignments and once she’s in bed I start my own schoolwork.” Jessica
  says that she often stays up late to finish her class assignments and turns them in
  before the midnight deadline each night.
• Meghan Cooper, a Masters of Arts in Professional Writing graduate student, and her husband, Mark,
  a mechatronics major, are raising two daughters while earning their degrees. She earned
  her undergraduate from KSU in 2019, and is now a graduate research assistant. With
  third- and seventh-graders who are continuing with virtual learning, the Coopers have
  learned to find a happy balance in being both KSU students and parents. Mark attends
  KSU in the mornings then heads to work, while Meghan manages the girls at home and
  takes her graduate-level courses at night.

Staff:

• As head coach of the KSU men’s basketball team, Amir Abdur-Rahim says that the word "adjust" isn’t an unfamiliar term and having great leadership and
  reliable supportive staff has helped him balance family and work. Since COVID, Coach
  Abdur-Rahim has added two new titles to his resume, chef and virtual pre-K teacher’s
  assistant. He and his wife have two small children and he says that his day now begins
  with his 4-year-old telling him to “cook yummy” for breakfast. It’s then time for
  pre-K teaching duties until noon. He then clocks in for his coaching job and usually
  ends work at around 8 p.m.
• When she is not taking charge as office manager for the Department of Events and Venue
  Management, Kamaria Jones is a single parent with a first-grade daughter learning from home this fall. Kamaria
  and her daughter, Brooklyn, share their dining room table as their workspace. When
  Kamaria needs to handle phone calls or emails, she either goes into another room or
  waits until Brooklyn takes a break or is done for the day. Kamaria says that she appreciates
  the flexibility KSU has provided her in putting in a full day's work whether at home
  or in the office, which allows her to ensure that Brooklyn thrives academically and
  maintains her health.

Faculty:

• Christina Scherrer, professor of industrial engineering and interim chair of the department, has three
  children, ages 9, 12 and 15, who are all learning remotely this year. Christina is
  teaching three classes at KSU, two for first-year students and one graduate course.
  She and her husband, who also works full time, share the responsibility at home. In
  addition to schoolwork, however, Christina says that she is also helping her children
  cope during these challenging times. “The issues they face vary with their ages. The
  younger ones need, and often demand, more attention, while the older ones might need
  more emotional support to help overcome their fears and feelings of loss."
• Erik Westlund, associate professor of mathematics, and his wife, Rene, office manager for the history department, have a 5-year-old son who started kindergarten
  this year. While their son started the school year remotely, he now attends school
  face-to-face Monday-Friday. Erik and Rene now tag-team the week – Tuesdays and Thursdays,
  Rene works remotely, and Monday, Wednesday and Friday, it’s Erik’s turn. “When he
  was home, it was a real challenge because you can’t just place a 5-year-old in front
  of a computer and walk away to do your own work,” said Erik. While they are making
  it work, Erik says they both end up working well into the late evening but know that
  there are others in their same position. “It has not been enjoyable by any means,
  but our departments have been understanding and we are thankful for that.”

These stories are just a few that highlight how resilient and determined the KSU community
is when it comes to achieving excellence both at work and at home. I am so very proud
of each and every one of you who are doing, what seems to be, the impossible. Please
know that we know that you are doing your best, and we support you 100 percent.

Pamela Whitten

President

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This press release was produced by Kennesaw State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.