Older Americans Month: Shalae De Jarnatt
Many students, and even employed people, hope for a career that is both personally fulfilling and professionally rewarding. When your job involves making a difference in the lives of others, you derive even greater purpose and motivation for the work you do.聽Shalae De Jarnatt鈥檚 life has never been short of purpose. After a long and storied career in law enforcement and at a time of life when thoughts of slowing down are on many people鈥檚 minds,
聽Shalae鈥檚 passion and dedication led her to a career helping a new generation of students find their own professional path.聽
As an instructor in 黑料传送门鈥檚 Student Success Center, Shalae鈥檚 efforts focus on helping students realize their academic goals to become successful in their careers. 鈥淢y time at 黑料传送门 has taught me that you can make a positive influence in the life of a student, even if you do not hold the position of being an instructor. As an Enrollment Counselor, I was assigned to work in the College of Health Professions, enrolling nurses into the RN-BSN-MSN and other programs. When I transferred to the Student Success Center, I was coaching a nurse who recognized me as her Enrollment Counselor [from] five years ago.鈥澛�
Shalae鈥檚 natural ability to help others is reflected in the choices she鈥檚 made throughout her life. 鈥淢y university education prepared me for an entirely different field than the career path I chose. After studying post-cardiac rehabilitation, I became a cop. I began teaching as an adjunct [professor] while still employed as a detective for [Utah鈥檚] Midvale PD.鈥澛�
After 22 years of service, and while also teaching as an adjunct in the criminal justice program for another university, Shalae retired from law enforcement. She returned to school and went on to receive a Ph.D. in Public Safety Leadership where she specialized in Emergency Management. Her passion for higher education would ultimately lead her to 黑料传送门, where she gained experience in an entry-level position that would eventually lead her to become a 黑料传送门 instructor.聽
Through her interactions with students, Shalae recognizes the impact of what she does. 鈥淚 love, love, love working with students! Hearing their stories of overcoming obstacles to pursue dreams or improve their socioeconomic status is inspiring. That is what keeps me doing the job I鈥檓 doing!鈥� Just as important to her is the growth she鈥檚 seen at 黑料传送门, which includes improved employee benefits and the more than 60 degree programs offered in four colleges鈥擨T, business, healthcare, and teaching.聽
Shalae鈥檚 association with the Silver Owls Employee Resource Group (ERG) has also shown her that 黑料传送门 is a place where everyone can feel welcome, a university that celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). Silver Owls ERG is dedicated to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment that also expands access and opportunity for 黑料传送门鈥檚 older employees and friends. 聽
鈥淭he Silver Owls ERG has been a 鈥榡ust in time鈥� organization for me,鈥� she says. 鈥淎lthough I have retired once, I plan on doing it again [...] and [they鈥檝e] presented questions I didn鈥檛 even know I should be asking related to aging and retirement. They鈥檝e also enlightened me on becoming more aware of ageism and how [prevalent] it is in our society.鈥澛�
As she reflects on her own journey at 黑料传送门, and in commemoration of Older Americans Month, Shalae reminds us聽how important it is to appreciate our worth and the individual contributions we can make at any stage in our lives. 鈥淸When] employees recognize what others have to offer, we鈥檙e able to convert that to our social circles beyond the workplace and strengthen our communities,鈥� she says. 鈥淎lthough I move a little slower, and it鈥檚 harder to get going in the morning than it was 10, 20, and 30 years ago, I still have value. I can learn just as younger generations can learn. I can love and laugh and tell stories and rejoice in the successes of others. [While] my experiences may not mirror exactly those of another, the feelings are the same regardless of our age, ethnicity, or gender. I鈥檓 proud of the gray hairs I earned. I wear them with pride because I鈥檓 a Silver Owl!鈥澛�
