This week, we interviewed Laura Sepanski, who coordinates and supports Professional Development programs for graduate students, working alongside Dr. Sara Dolan. These programs include New Graduate Student Orientation, Teacher of Record training, Grad Pathways for Success (GPS) workshops, outstanding graduate student awards, Women in the Academy, and New Graduate Program Director Orientation. Laura helps manage the Professional Development web pages, supports the Graduate Student Association cabinet members, and performs various duties for graduate housing communities. In addition, Laura works with our Baptist College & University Scholars, Conyers Scholars, and Ramm Scholars. Laura joined BU’s Graduate Admissions team in September 2018 and transitioned to her current role in August 2021. Previously, Laura assisted with the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), tutored in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, and worked with various church ministries. She received a B.A. in Comparative Literature from Indiana University in 1994.
BearTracks
Okay, so tell me about yourself, who you are, and your role in graduate school. Like, as a person and as a professional person.
Laura Sepanski
Well, as a person I feel like I’m in my third or fourth life, kind of, because I spent so much time as a stay-at-home mom, then later as a part-time worker/mom. And now my kids have flown the nest, and I’m experiencing like working full time and life on my own.
BT
So do you like that?
LS
I do.
BT
You’re very good at it. We could not function without. We’re glad you’re here.
LS
Yeah, I feel like each lifetime had its joys and tough parts. But this one is a lot of joy!
BT
So what is the official title of your position?
LS
My official title is Program Coordinator for Professional Development.
BT
And on a given day, what does that look like?
LS
I do a lot of event coordination. So we have our wonderful GPS (Graduate Pathways for Success) workshops, where I will do the logistics side of things; getting room reservations, ordering food, getting out the email announcements, etc. We also do a weekly newsletter for graduate students. Brooke Morris does all the content work, but I do the mailing list and get it sent for the approvals.
BT
You also do the quality control; you catch all of the edits and stuff, which I do not have a brain for. I admire that attention to detail.
LS
We also, in professional development, are mindful of our faculty too. We do workshops for faculty, on how to be a good mentor, awareness of mental health issues among graduate students, and so on. And then, besides all of that, I’m also answering questions that come through.
BT
You mentioned that this season has been more on the joy side; what would you say is your favorite part of working in the Graduate School?
LS
Oh, definitely the people.
BT
That’s been a popular answer so far!
LS
Yes, it’s just the fellow staff and deans and other graduate students and undergrad students who work here. I feel like we are each valued and appreciated for who we are and our unique personalities. We have a lot of fun and humor. I love the humor in the office. But also we work hard. It’s not just goofing off; people are getting good, quality work done.
BT
It’s wonderful to be in a place where you can do both.
What is something you wish more graduate students knew about the Graduate School?
LS
I guess I just wish they knew all the resources that are available. I’m sure being a grad student is so overwhelming just to work on your own degree, but there’s a lot of broader support. Whether you’re thinking outside the box on your career or planning ahead, it’s all going to help when you are on the job market, you’ll have some advantages. I think being aware that there’s more outside your department to take advantage of.
BT
What is your favorite Baylor event?
LS
Well I am absolutely not a sports person.
BT
Girl, same.
LS
We had season tickets for the theatre for many years, but now we tend to go more show-by-show since COVID. The theater productions are really good; I wish more people went.
BT
Absolutely. They are fantastic.
As the event coordinator for graduate professional development, what is a resource you wish grad students took better advantage of?
LS
I would say reading our weekly newsletter, the Two-Week Outlook. There’s so much information compiled into this one little spot. You can open it up and browse through it and pick something. I know there’s more than any one person could ever do, but as I was saying earlier, pick one thing to get outside your bubble and do it, just one new thing a month.
BT
Yes! And it covers different categories. Each week it comes out you could pick one thing from a new category like personal development or something going on in the community here in Waco. There’s so many different areas that it touches on.
Okay, give me a fun fact about yourself, Laura Sepanski.
LS
I’m attempting to build a prayer labyrinth in my yard, which my children say looks like alien crop circles.
BT
But, like, in a good way?
LS
I have an outline with rocks, and I’ve planted bulbs, almost 250 flower bulbs. And some of them are starting to come up! It’s definitely a work in progress. Still pretty weedy, but I hope it will be a place of meditation and reading eventually.
BT
Have you done other things like this? Do you like to construct things in your yard?
LS
I love to do yard work. We have a one acre lot where we just seed wildflowers in the back half. But I think someone would look at my yard and think, Well, she’s trying. I’m definitely not professional.
BT
That’s where you see the love though, I think. When it’s so polished, it can be less intimate.
What advice would you give to graduate students?
LS
Well, I happen to be married to a professor who’s a Graduate Program Director. I haven’t been a graduate student, but I remember as an undergrad student being so scared to go talk to a professor. As a wife of a professor, I can say they’re just people and they actually want you to come and talk to them.
BT
Self-advocacy is important.
Final question, everyone’s favorite question: who is your favorite graduate school staff member?
LS
Ugh, I hate “who’s your favorite?” questions, they’re so narrow! I want to say what’s wonderful about every person.
BT
Okay, fine. Who just has an extra sparkle for you?
LS
Okay, I will give a shout out to my office neighbor, Eric Hooley, because he’s a fellow Hoosier, and he helps me remind Texans that there are other states.
BT
There ARE other states! Texans need to be reminded that on a daily basis. I support this alliance and its goals.