Every month the Administrative/Professional (A/P) Council highlights an A/P staff member through a series of questions as another way for the Illinois State University community to connect. This month readers can get to know Cara Boester, director of clinical education for speech-language pathology in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

What is your position on campus, and what are your job duties? Director of clinical education for speech-language pathology in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. I schedule on- and off-campus clinical rotations including full-time and part-time internships for all of the graduate students in the speech pathology department. I schedule all the speech language pathology patients in our on-campus clinic. I also provide speech, language, and aural rehab services to deaf/hard of hearing patients as needed.

How long have you been an employee at ISU?: Nineteen years. I started in the fall of 2003.

What do you love most about working at ISU?: The students and my CSD family.

What is one fact about yourself that might surprise people?: I play competitive tennis.

When you’re not working, what are you most likely doing?: Watching my two high-school-aged boys play sports/band/other activities along with my husband. 

What is your favorite spot on campus?: The swings at Redbird Plaza. I need to go over there more often! 

What quote most inspires you? Why?: “Progress not perfection.” Our graduate program is very demanding, and sometimes we need to be reminded we are not expected to know everything—that’s why we are here, to learn and grow. As long as we are making progress, it’s perfect!