The Civil Service Council will feature a civil service employee at Illinois State University each month to highlight an exceptional colleague and the outstanding work being done on campus! This month get a chance to learn about and applaud Laura Fox from the ISU Police Department.
What is your position on campus and how long have you been with the University?
Budget, marketing, and communications manager for seven years, but I’ve been proudly connected to this campus as a student, alum, faculty spouse, and employee for over 22 years.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
I am a fairly invisible part of a very visible department, but I find it really rewarding to make it possible for our staff to be at their best. There are probably only a handful of people on campus who will geek out with me about a really great financial reconciliation, but knowing that the dollars are going where they need to go, efficiently and responsibility, so that we can do our best work is a good day. Oh, and we have that therapy dog that one or two people have heard about. Seeing people light up around her is pretty OK too. #PawfficerSageRulesAndDrools.
What are your hobbies or favorite pastimes?
Is it gardening season yet? If I can’t be out in my vegetable and perennial gardens, I’m reading about gardening and agriculture. I’m most happy when I’ve lost complete track of time and my jeans are so dirty that the washing machine quits out of fear. Eventually my kids or dog will come find me and yank me back to reality and then it’s off to enjoy the company of those I love.
What else would you like others to know about you or your time at Illinois State?
Both as a student and as a staff member I have been really struck by our core value of individualized attention. This is a big campus full of wonderful opportunities. I have loved the many opportunities to study abroad, attend speaker series, delve into the special collections in Milner, delight in our circus, or take classes as a staff member. No matter how vast and broad it may all seem, every time I walk between two points on campus I cross paths with someone I know and have the joyous opportunity to greet them. Thank you to every single faculty and staff member who has served during the 22 years I’ve been in touch with ISU, and who continues to serve making each person on this campus feel special and seen. It makes Illinois State University a truly a great place to study and work.
More about Laura from Aaron Woodruff, ISUPD Chief of Police:
Since joining the police department in 2015, Laura has proven to be an invaluable asset to the department and the University. Laura’s title is budget, marketing, and communications manager but she does so much more than that. I often refer to her as my Swiss Army knife because of all of her skills and experiences. She helps train our staff on first aid and CPR, she helps coordinate fundraising, she oversees our social media, and helps with campus crisis communications. She has served on several committees including the University’s strategic planning committee for Educate, Connect, and Elevate. More importantly, she is critical to our department’s strategic planning was instrumental in bringing everyone’s favorite “pawfficer” to campus, Sage.
