Kyle Virden
Staff writer
Susan Dodson, director of Student Support Services, began her working career at 12 years old. She was a waitress at Dixie Café in her hometown of Boswell.
When she started, she was making 50 cents an hour. “Sometimes I even got a quarter tip,” said Dodson.
It’s been a long road to her current career for Dodson, but she said she’s glad she ended up at SE.
As director of SSS, Dodson is in charge of the budget and assigning students to counselors.
SSS funds come from a grant given by the U.S. Department of Education, in the amount of $327,080. SSS helps 300 students each year at SE.
There are three categories that a student must fall under in order to qualify for services from SSS. A student must come from a low-income home, be a first generation college student and/or have a disability.
Dodson said she feels her job is important because, “ We are an office than can make a difference in whether or not a student stays in college. We serve students that come from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Students must also have an academic need in order to qualify, such as a low ACT score, low high school and/or college grades and/or be taking zero level classes.
More recently, Dodson said SSS began helping students “aging” out of the foster care system or are homeless or may be at risk of becoming homeless.
Dodson began college back in the ‘70s, but stopped after three semesters to become a stay at home mom. Dodson went back to college once her children were grown and graduated SE when she was 42 with a bachelor’s in psychology.
When she was 44, she earned her master’s in behavioral sciences, as well as her Professional Counselor’s License.
Dodson describes herself as an optimistic and humorous person. “It makes everyday more enjoyable. I try to see the bright side of everything,” said Dodson. “On the downside I try to do too much and spread myself too thin.”
Dodson’s first job at SE was working for the Educational Opportunities Center. This program is one of the TRIO programs and helps non-traditional students get into college.
She worked there for six months but did not like the amount of traveling that was required for this position, so when she was offered a counseling position at SSS, she “jumped at it.”
Dodson has been the director of Student Support Services for 10 years. Dodson said when she first began working at SE; she was surprised at the loyalty of the faculty.
“I usually get bored of a job in five years,” said Dodson.
However, life at SE has kept her on her toes. Dodson said that there is always something new to learn at SE.
Dodson said that her favorite part of working in Student Support Services is getting to talk to and joke around with the students. “Working with the students is the best,” said Dodson.
Dodson’s department offers 11 different services to students. Some of them are, counseling and advisement, study skills training, assistance with financial aid forms, and tutoring.
“Our department is best known for tutoring. This helps students at SE earn the grades they need to be successful in college,” said Dodson.
Dodson received the SSA Outstanding Service award in 2011. This award is given to members of the staff who perform remarkable services to SE. The staff nominates the candidates for this award and also votes on the recipients.
Dodson said, “It was a very humbling experience. It was nice to be recognized.”
In addition to her busy job at SE, Dodson has a full family life. Dodson was married for 35 years to Randy Dodson who died in January of 2010. Dodson said, “He was my biggest supporter.”
According to Dodson, when she first applied for the SSS director position she was very nervous, but her husband supported her every step of the way.
When Dodson secured the position, her husband gave her a card with a dollar bill that said, “Frame this dollar, it’s the last one you’ll ever get from me.” Dodson said she loved her husband’s sense of humor.
Dodson has three children, Kristi, an instructor at East Central University, Joe, a pharmacist at Southeast Medical Center, and Susan, a safety specialist at the University of Texas. Dodson said that she is extremely proud of her children.
Dodson also has six grandchildren who keep her busy. She enjoys painting and riding four-wheelers with them.
“I like to spoil them and send them back,” said Dodson.
Dodson encourages students who may be embarrassed or otherwise hesitant to ask for help to come by and speak to her.
“College is a lot different than high school. We try to keep an open door policy in order to answer any questions or help with anything. There are no dumb questions,” said Dodson.