A Q&A with Fulbright College Academic Services’ Virginia “Ginger” Daily

Virginia “Ginger” Daily

Coordinator of Academic Services and Assistant to the Fulbright College Academic Integrity Monitor Fulbright College Academic Services

In this conversation, Daily talks about her love of helping students succeed and make it to graduation, how much she enjoys her job and working with her colleagues, being a support driver for her husband who rides in recreational bicycling events, and cheering on the Hogs.

Q: Tell us a little about your role within the college. What excites you about this?

My role in the Fulbright College Academic Services Office is to oversee the automated degree audits for all our undergraduate students. I make sure all majors, minors and area of studies requirements are accurately encoded. I certify our undergraduate students for graduation, approve VA Certifications, assist our Fulbright College Academic Integrity Monitor and supervise the establishment and maintenance of electronic student files.

I also assist our dean of Academic Services in planning, coordinating and maintaining office operations, including supervising staff in her absence and in the preparation for college commencement, as well as wearing many other hats at different times throughout the year.

I love my job here in academic services! I enjoy helping and assisting others where ever I can. I enjoy learning new tools that make our office most efficient.

I wouldn’t be able to do my job to the best of my ability without the awesome staff in our office.

Q: How long have you been at Fulbright College? What have you enjoyed most about your time here?

I joined the Fulbright College Dean Office’s family in January 1997, so a little over 21 years on staff here. WOW! How quickly time has flown by!

My time here in the Dean’s Office has been so enjoyable, getting to work with our advising team, faculty, staff and staff across campus. Everyone is so friendly and always willing to help no matter what the circumstance might be.

Q: What do you most hope your students and/or colleagues remember from their interactions with you?

I hope our students remember me for being compassionate while assisting them here at the U of A and to always know that I want them to be successful academically as well as in their future careers.

I really love helping them succeed and to see their faces filled with excitement.

Q: What do you like to do during your time outside of the university?

I love being with my family, especially my grandchildren and great grandson! I love watching them play sports and cheering them on, taking them shopping and just hanging out with them.

Q: What’s up next on the horizon for you?

I am a support driver for my husband as he rides his bicycle in The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI.) In the beginning, when a few friends got together for a casual bike ride across Iowa in 1973, no one imagined that a tradition would be born, let alone that it would become the longest, largest and oldest recreation bicycle touring event in the world.

He has cycled with RAGBRAI across the state of Iowa for five years. RAGBRAI’s seven-day trip averages 468 miles while the daily mileage averages 67 miles. A support vehicle follows a group of cyclists in the ride, tour or recreational ride that may carry equipment, food, riders’ luggage, or mechanics.

We may also pick up riders unable to continue, also known as a SAG wagon. We set up and tear down camp every day for seven days.

We have also decided to venture to different states in the future, including Colorado, Michigan and Missouri.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add or let readers know?

We have two adorable dogs, Annie and Bentley. They are family to my husband and I and they keep us very busy.

I also love supporting the Hogs Baseball team and the Gymbacks! Woo Pig Sooie!!! Go HOGS!