Spring Break
Interim dean of students brings new vision
Kara Fordyce
Issue date: 11/26/08 Section: ARTS & LIFE
With fresh eyes taking charge of the dean of students office, a new motto inspires the department's faculty to take charge and aid the students in any way possible.
The mantra, "an empowered staff means empowered students," was created by interim Dean of Students Mona Hicks, who has worked in the office since Sept. 2.
Although new to campus, Hicks is already making an effort to build personal relationships with the NT student body.
"I think we can advance the opportunities of the students by reaching out," Hicks said.
Hicks said she is here at NT to improve school infrastructure and create a culture that is "fresh, safe and fun."
She said she is going to try to improve the efficiency of the department and expand the support for the students.
"Because I'm the new kid on the block, I feel I can ask questions and have a little more leverage to ask 'why,'" Hicks said.
The department is designed to provide assistance by connecting NT students with opportunities to get involved, to find resources that can aid them with various concerns and to serve as an advocate, according to its Web site.
Hicks said even though she may not have all of the answers to every problem, she will show students the right place to go.
"We all have a role out there for setting up the students' success," Hicks said.
Hicks said she is eager to hear the voices of the students and willing to accept criticisms of herself and the department.
"I've certainly had some failures, but I'm not giving up," she said.
Hicks said her department is available at the expense of the students. All the student has to do to contact the department is send an e-mail, make a phone call or simply "just roll on up," she said.
"Say UNT is a bike. If we do our job right, [the department] should be the training wheels," she said. "We're here if you need us, and we'll hang on as long as you need."
Hicks said that with roughly 35,000 students at NT, it is the department's goal to keep the students on track and have the ability to cope with "day-to-day junk," which can be overwhelming.
The mantra, "an empowered staff means empowered students," was created by interim Dean of Students Mona Hicks, who has worked in the office since Sept. 2.
Although new to campus, Hicks is already making an effort to build personal relationships with the NT student body.
"I think we can advance the opportunities of the students by reaching out," Hicks said.
Hicks said she is here at NT to improve school infrastructure and create a culture that is "fresh, safe and fun."
She said she is going to try to improve the efficiency of the department and expand the support for the students.
"Because I'm the new kid on the block, I feel I can ask questions and have a little more leverage to ask 'why,'" Hicks said.
The department is designed to provide assistance by connecting NT students with opportunities to get involved, to find resources that can aid them with various concerns and to serve as an advocate, according to its Web site.
Hicks said even though she may not have all of the answers to every problem, she will show students the right place to go.
"We all have a role out there for setting up the students' success," Hicks said.
Hicks said she is eager to hear the voices of the students and willing to accept criticisms of herself and the department.
"I've certainly had some failures, but I'm not giving up," she said.
Hicks said her department is available at the expense of the students. All the student has to do to contact the department is send an e-mail, make a phone call or simply "just roll on up," she said.
"Say UNT is a bike. If we do our job right, [the department] should be the training wheels," she said. "We're here if you need us, and we'll hang on as long as you need."
Hicks said that with roughly 35,000 students at NT, it is the department's goal to keep the students on track and have the ability to cope with "day-to-day junk," which can be overwhelming.
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