Conversations with Janell Lindsey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janell Lindsey.

Hi Janell, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I found my way to Colorado after I graduated from Fisk University, a Historically Black University in Nashville, Tennessee. When I came to Colorado, my passion was public policy, however, I found myself in an International Studies program at the University of Denver, which was not a good fit. Even though my academics and I did not agree, I was a Resident Assistant at DU, and I absolutely loved that role. I ended up being a lead RA, and because of that, I think I moved eight times while I was at DU to different residence halls and learning communities.

As I was graduating from DU, one of my supervisors recognized that I was struggling with the prospect of what was next in my life, and she suggested I look into the Higher Education and Student Affairs master’s program at Colorado State University. I was accepted to the SAHE program at CSU, and after graduation, I was also fortunate to be hired as a Girl Scout Leader for the summer. For most of the summer after graduating, I worked at Tomahawk Ranch in Bailey, Colorado. It was by far the most fun summer I think I have ever had. I have very fond memories of learning how to make fire, long walks in nature, seeing heat lightning for the first time, feeling clouds, and having no electronics.

As I began my studies at CSU, I was able to connect with my classmates because of the cohort nature of the program. Taking every class together does that for a group of people. 🙂 My time at CSU confirmed that I would begin my career in higher education. While at CSU, I was an Assistant Hall Director and then for my 2nd year, I became the Hall Director in one of the towers – Durward. My two years at Durward were important as these were my first time supervising staff. During my 2nd year at CSU, I realized that I didn’t want to live in a residence hall for the remainder of my career, and I sought opportunities in admissions to diversify my experience. That was a key turning point for me at CSU. Graduating from CSU was tough because I loved my experience so much, I wasn’t ready to leave. The flurry of applications (and denials) was overwhelming and I found myself without a position and I ended up living with one of my sorority sisters for a few months until Metro State called me back for an interview. That interview was for admissions!

I was hired as an admission counselor at Metro State and I stayed at Metro for 18 years. During that time, I worked in admissions, retention, and alumni relations. I credit Metro for providing me with the diversity and engagement I needed during my career. I am proud to say that I had three distinct careers while at one institution. When I moved from admissions to retention work, there were several faculty that clearly showed me that I needed a doctorate to present ideas I knew would work for our programs. It was always difficult to have a voice without a doctorate. It is during that time that I decided to find a program to earn my doctorate. I will always call the Auraria campus home.

After leaving MSU Denver, I found myself at the Community College of Aurora, working with students again in retention programs. By this time, I was several years into my doctorate at the University of Denver and was nearing the time I needed to collect data. CCA is a busy place and the time that I was with them was one of growth. The work at CCA was rewarding but very hard and I was running out of time to complete my doctorate, and eventually, both CCA and I chose that I needed to work on my doctorate, and so I did.

After completing my doctorate, I found myself back at the Auraria Campus at the Community College of Denver as an academic advisor working for a grant focused on STEM students. The grant was a welcome change from the back-to-back meetings and pressure that I experienced at CCA. CCD gave me the ability to work with students again and to really think about what was next for my career.

The higher education program at DU really helped to shape my career in higher education and put it into perspective. As I was completing the program, my advisor asked me had I ever thought of teaching in a higher education program. Since I was an administrator in higher education, I did not think that I could teach because of the fear of starting from the beginning in teaching. She reassured me that I wouldn’t have to start at the beginning but that I could be an adjunct faculty member and help teach the next generation of student affairs professionals.

I’m excited to say that I taught my first-ever class earlier this year at DU, and I had a very positive experience teaching Student Development Theory. I’m looking forward to teaching again in the coming years. Recently, the grant that I work for was not renewed and I am again contemplating where my career will take me, only time will tell. One thing I know for sure, I will always be connected to higher education in some way.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m not exactly sure what a smooth road is, I wish I did. I’ve struggled: With being an only child and living in another state and feeling the strong need to move home. With imposter syndrome even though I’ve reached the highest educational degree. With struggling to keep up with the pace of work in higher education. With being a supervisor and being supervised. With knowing that students can take care of themselves. With not acting as a surrogate mother to students. With relationships. With just being in my body.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have been a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., for over 30 years. It is a public service sorority composed of African American women. We focus on a Five-Point Programmatic Thrust: Educational Development, Economic Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement. As an educator, I have naturally found my way to the Scholarship Committee with the Denver Alumnae Chapter. For the last couple of years, I have helped to lead our committee to move our application process and evaluation completely online, combined two applications into one, and we have also started having conversations around gender and the use of pronouns. It has been quite a journey.

What makes you happy?
Something that makes me happy is being outside in nature. I’m not naturally an outdoorsy kind of person, but when I have an opportunity to be out, it brings calm to my spirit. Seeing God’s creations and hugging trees is the best anti-depressant ever.

Contact Info:

• Email: jivylindsey@gmail.com