A Q&A with Fulbright College Dean’s Office’s Dawn Fisher

Dawn Fisher
Assistant to the Dean of Fulbright College

In this conversation, Fisher talks about her love of Fulbright College and working with its faculty and staff, her upcoming retirement, her passion for learning everything from Islamic architecture and design to quantum reality and cosmic consciousness, and her delight in traveling and seeing the world through the eyes of her first granddaughter.

Q: Tell us a little about your research, academic passions, and/or role within the college. What excites you about this?

My role is administrative support, scheduling, communication, correspondence, event planning and coordination for the dean.

This has been an exciting and challenging role that has given me the opportunity to learn from the best teachers and administrators; meet a variety of people from many different academic specialties and cultural perspectives; develop project management skills and best practices to help host guests and artists; help with administrative searches; facilitate the objectives of the college; grow and mature as a person; and expand my view of the world.

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

I relocated to Northwest Arkansas 15 years ago from the Pacific Northwest. My parents had retired to Rogers in about 1990. During an extended stay with them in spring 2004, I drove from Rogers to Fayetteville and walked around the U of A campus.

I had the feeling that if there was a position for me at the U of A, I could settle in Fayetteville and make it home. It was during this time that my current position was posted, and I interviewed with Don Bobbitt, then dean of Fulbright College. 

I have considered myself blessed to find such a wonderful match for my skill sets, interests and temperament, and to work with and support four very different and wonderful individuals serving as dean of the college.

The variety of projects and activities has meant that no day is like the one before it. Each day I work on different projects, meet new people and discover new ways to accomplish goals.

In 15 years I have met many faculty in all the 19 departments and over 30 programs, met and helped host the most fascinating visitors, and followed the academic careers (then professional careers) of some really outstanding young people.

My time in Old Main has been a rare invitation and opportunity for both personal and professional growth.

Q: What do you most hope faculty, staff and students remember from their interactions with you?

I hope they feel that I have done my job well, and that I have made their job easier. I try to be helpful and effective in handling details for the dean and associate deans as “invisibly” as possible, freeing them up to do the heavy lifting, make the difficult and important decisions, and serve in their capacity to build consensus and provide leadership.

I also hope I have been collegial, friendly, approachable and encouraging. If I can reflect back to a colleague or contact his or her best self, or encourage others as they wrangle with a project or issue, or difficult day, I go home feeling better.

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

My interests are many; I have sought opportunities to learn from some of the excellent faculty and staff on campus. I have always been curious about interrelated concepts, meanings, relationships and how things work. 

For example, when I first arrived in Northwest Arkansas, I stumbled upon a small nest which had fallen onto my parents’ driveway in the woods, and nervous at first, approached professor Doug James, ornithologist, asked his help in identifying the bird species that built it. Taking me to one of the classrooms, he opened a couple very large but shallow drawers, and pulled out quite a collection of nests, illustrating and explaining how different species approached nest-building.

In the last several years, I have audited courses in Islamic architecture and design; music, language and thought; quantum reality and cosmic consciousness; anthropology of religion; and creative writing.

What a gift to learn from such wonderful professors, each a passionate expert of his or her particular specialty. Whenever I am able, I attend guest lectures and cultural offerings here on campus. U of A offers so much!

In addition, I enjoy gardening and composting; quilting and sewing; water color and encaustic painting; reading, writing and photography; travel and exploring the natural world; and I now enjoy seeing the world through the eyes of my first granddaughter, Cedar Rose, 18 months old.

I have recently begun taking mandolin lessons and love folk concerts, especially house concerts.

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

In the world of work, I cannot imagine a position I would rather hold than this one. I witness best practices every day with excellent leaders and communicators, have the best support imaginable from my coworkers, and hold staff colleagues and the faculty in Fulbright College in the highest esteem. I can honestly say that EVERY day flies by, and many days are “just plain fun.”

So it may seem strange to say that I plan to retire from this position in April 2019 to see what life feels like when I am able to dabble in my chosen leisure activities, travel for extended periods of time, and perhaps take life at a slower pace.

I fancy immersing myself in targeted activities and playing with my already-retired friends and my grand-toddler. I don’t plan to ever “leave the university” but will be here at concerts, lectures and plays, and will dig into some holdings at Special Collections in Mullins. I will maintain my ties with the U of A, but they may look and feel different.

This summer I hope to have a lovely garden with raised vegetable beds. (I will do fierce battle with Bermuda grass and deer.) 

I plan to explore bugs and worms, roots, shoots and flowers up-close-and-personal with Cedar Rose, and to write her stories and songs. I also plan to travel, participate in a song-writing camp and at least one folk festival, visit botanical gardens and resume dancing.

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

I could never have known when I relocated to Northwest Arkansas how life would unfold. Looking back at my time with Fulbright College, I recognize my very good fortune to have found a home here in Old Main and within the Fulbright tradition.

I feel enriched by the contact I’ve had with those I’ve come to know in 15 years of sitting under the clock tower, and will hold each one in appreciation and gratitude.