Staff Spotlight

Blooming Career

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 18:00:38 +0000

Blooming Career HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Mon, 08/19/2024 - 14:00

Meet the campus’ new greenhouse manager

August 20, 2024

Heather Harris Michonski

Last spring, Emma Welch brought her love of plants to ɫ��Ƶ when she was hired as the school’s greenhouse manager.

For those unfamiliar with the campus’ greenhouse, it is located in the Stearns McNamara Memorial Garden, which sits between the ɫ��Ƶ Welcome Center and Dana Mohler-Faria Science and Mathematics Center.

“Not many people know about the greenhouse but I’m always looking for ways to make it more visible,” Welch said.

Welch holds a degree in sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry from UMass Amherst and a master’s degree from Unity Environmental University in environmental studies and sustainability focused on sustainable greenhouse practices.

She looks to share with the ɫ��Ƶ campus community her love of plants and to bring awareness to all the greenhouse offers.

Can you summarize your career path that led you to your current position here at ɫ��Ƶ?

I've always loved plants, animals, and the natural world, and started working with tropical plants in 2016.

Before that I had a few different retail and office jobs that didn't really feel exciting or special to me, so I wanted to try something that I was passionate about and that made better use of my educational background.

I started out working in interior plant maintenance taking care of plants in offices, nursing homes, malls, etc. I also managed the greenhouse as a part of that job and worked to address pest and inventory issues.

The next position I worked in was in a commercial greenhouse, and I was responsible for begonias, orchids, and other rare tropical plants.

When it was time to move on from that position, I found the greenhouse manager position here at ɫ��Ƶ and I jumped at the chance!

Why did you choose this career path?

First of all, I love plants! I find a lot of satisfaction caring for plants and working to address the many issues they can have.

I also like to experiment with propagation, feeding, beneficial insects, and environments. It's nice to work with something that takes time to grow and bloom, and it's really rewarding to see a healthy, blooming plant that was grown from seed or a small cutting.

Before ɫ��Ƶ, I had never worked in higher education, and I was excited to share the greenhouse with students, faculty, and staff. This position is a great way to spend time stewarding the growth of the plants as well as the growth of students and others in our campus community.

Can you please share what your main responsibilities are as greenhouse manager?

I am responsible for everything in the greenhouse! I water, fertilize, prune, and propagate the plants. I also address pest issues, test equipment, manage the social media (follow the greenhouse on Instagram and TikTok!), host tours and events, and maintain and update inventories and other records.

I also end up cleaning a lot, because sanitation is really important in an enclosed space like a greenhouse!

How is the ɫ��Ƶ greenhouse utilized here at ɫ��Ƶ?

The greenhouse is part of the Biological Sciences Department, so various classes and professors use the space either for class visits and experiments or long-term research.

Additionally, other departments are welcome to tour and visit the space.

Art and English classes have come to gather inspiration for projects, and I'm happy to work with other interested parties to see how the greenhouse can be utilized as a resource!

I also host events and open houses for visitors and participate in other events that bring visitors to ɫ��Ƶ.

Can members of the ɫ��Ƶ community visit the greenhouse?

Yes, definitely! When you see the ‘OPEN’ sign, feel free to come in and check it out! For a larger group, such as a class or club, reach out to me to set up a time to visit.

Are there any special events or programs coming up?

I am planning some fun events for the upcoming year, including the creation of a big terrarium and a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the great new sign for the greenhouse!

What do you like best about your job?

I love being able to share the greenhouse with those who enjoy plants, and it's really fun when visitors recognize a plant from their home that they haven't seen in a while. Also, I'm so happy to be surrounded by plants all the time!

What do you like best about working at ɫ��Ƶ?

I work with great colleagues and have been given the opportunity to take responsibility for the greenhouse and making it a part of the campus community.

What is a fun fact or two about yourself you'd like to share?

In my free time I like to knit, read, and hike. I also have a rubber tree at home that is over 20 years old!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. Audrey Hepburn said that, and I love it!

Do you have a ɫ��Ƶ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

I work with great colleagues and have been given the opportunity to take responsibility for the greenhouse and making it a part of the campus community.

Emma Welch

Meet New VP for Student Life

BBENSON@bridgew.edu — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 20:13:09 +0000

Meet New VP for Student Life BBENSON@bridgew.edu Fri, 07/12/2024 - 16:13

Dr. Lucy Shaffer Croft looks forward to connecting with students

July 18, 2024

Brian Benson, G'23

When Dr. Lucy Shaffer Croft came to Bridgewater State six months ago as interim vice president for student life, she saw an opportunity to provide stability to a division in transition.

It didn’t take her long to realize that ɫ��Ƶ was a special place where she wanted to remain.

“I quickly learned that Bridgewater is a unique university in that it’s about education, but it’s also about service in almost equal parts,” she said. “Both of those are values that I practice and resonate with me.”

A student affairs professional with 35 years of experience, Croft stood out among a strong field of candidates for the permanent job. She came to ɫ��Ƶ having served as vice president for student success at Buena Vista University in Iowa and in student affairs leadership posts over 15 years at the University of North Florida.

Croft’s career path took shape as an undergraduate at Hanover College in Indiana. A field hockey athlete and sorority member, Croft held numerous leadership posts such as resident assistant, orientation leader, student union manager and president of the programming board.

“I have a heart for service, and I have a heart for leading others,” she said.

She strives to build strong relationships with students and looks forward to seeing their successes in life, both professionally and personally. Bridgewater students, Croft has noticed, are eager to develop as leaders and value mentorship.

“I connect with the students,” she said. “They’re kind, they’re caring, they’re smart, they’re motivated and they’re ready to learn. They want to feel inspired.”

Croft similarly enjoys working with her staff and fostering a culture of innovation and creative problem-solving. She aims to continue building a strong division with a clear mission while collaborating with others across the university.

“She has my complete confidence and support in moving the division forward by fostering a culture that prioritizes responsiveness to evolving student needs and a commitment to continuous improvement – a culture which I am confident will elevate Student Life to a position of regional and national leadership,” President Frederick W. Clark Jr., ’83, said in announcing her appointment.

Outside work, she is an avid runner who has completed marathons on all seven continents (including a race between research stations on Antarctica’s King George Island). She also participates in triathlons, including one where athletes “escaped” from San Francisco’s famous Alcatraz prison.

“Running takes me to unique and beautiful parts of the world that most people wouldn’t have a chance to see or view through that lens,” she said.

On campus, Croft enjoys ascending Great Hill Drive.

“I love the view from the top and the views as I’m running because I’m surrounded by the woods,” she said. “I love the challenge and the sense of accomplishment when I get to the top.”

Do you have a ɫ��Ƶ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

I quickly learned that Bridgewater is a unique university in that it’s about education, but it’s also about service in almost equal parts. Both of those are values that I practice and resonate with me.

Dr. Lucy Shaffer Croft

Equal Ice Time

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 15:25:17 +0000

Equal Ice Time HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Tue, 06/25/2024 - 11:25

Double Bear founds a hockey team for children with cognitive, intellectual, and physical disabilities

July 1, 2024

Heather Harris Michonski

For parents of children with special needs, going to the grocery store, attending a birthday party, or even going to the bathroom can be complicated tasks.

“I have a special needs child and it can be very isolating. People who don’t have children with special needs sometimes take it for granted,” said Tara Thompson, ’16, G’22.

Knowing first-hand how difficult things can be, she set out to create a space that not only serves children with special needs, but also provides a supportive community for parents.

After months of organizing, this spring she officially launched the South Shore Ice Dragons, a Pembroke-based nonprofit that invites children with cognitive, intellectual, and physical disabilities to play on a traditional hockey team.

The team is affiliated with the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA).

Getting on the ice is fun and helps build confidence for the kids, Thompson said, but even more important it provides parents with an accepting space.

“Having a place where you can be around other families with kids who have similar disabilities, a place where you can relax, where you feel like you belong. It’s like having a second family,” she said.

Thompson has worked at ɫ��Ƶ for nearly 19 years and currently serves in Procurement Services as an assistant director. Bridgewater is also where she earned both her undergraduate degree in communications and master’s in educational leadership. Thompson said it was participating in ɫ��Ƶ’s Educational Leadership program that gave her the push to get more involved and create inclusive opportunities.

When she isn’t working, Thompson takes care of her own five children, two of whom play on the South Shore Ice Dragons team.

“I’ve been taking care of kids with special needs for 20 years and decided that the next step for me was to create this hockey team,” she said.

Through her efforts, Thompson was able to secure $20,000 in funding from The Citi Team, a clothing company.

The sponsorship allowed her to purchase ice time for the team, uniforms and adaptive equipment.

As she looks ahead, she hopes to secure more donations of either funding or equipment.

“We are always looking for volunteers, too,” Thompson said.

The ultimate goal in creating these opportunities for children with special needs and their families is to increase awareness, she said.

“These kids are capable of so much and because of their disability, that’s often the only thing people see,” Thompson said. “What people don’t see is that they can rise to the occasion and do phenomenal things.”

Do you have a ɫ��Ƶ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

Having a place where you can be around other families with kids who have similar disabilities, a place where you can relax, where you feel like you belong. It’s like having a second family.

Tara Thompson, assistant director Procurement Services