Meet Nursing Admissions Team Member Donna Juszczak
Donna Juszczak (DJ) has worked for East Ohio College for nearly 22 years and is currently a Nursing Admissions Team Member. She received her associate’s degree from Kent State University before continuing her education at Youngstown State University. While at college, Donna wanted to be a physical anthropologist; however, “I just couldn’t pass the stats class. Sometimes one has to accept their limitations…, she exclaimed.”
Before being employed at East Ohio College, Donna worked in a record store, “Yes folks, I’m that old,” a movie theater, and at the Ohio Historical Society, where she mainly did research, gave tours, wrote articles for a local publication and rescue archaeology. She decided to work at East Ohio College when after not working for a couple of years and after having a son, she started the Medical Transcription program and never left.
Donna’s favorite part of working at East Ohio College is her love for admissions and meeting all kinds of new people every day. She states, “I must say, though, when the full moon comes around, the job can be challenging.” She also loves the connections she’s made with everyone she works with and at the different campuses, even though she doesn’t get to see them very often.
Donna has collected several great memories during her time at East Ohio College. When asked to mention a few, she recalled one time when a woman called her and swore up and down they saw our computer instructor on America’s Most Wanted TV show. She seriously thought we had a fugitive working for us. On another occasion, one of the instructors got locked in the bathroom and couldn’t get out until a student eventually came to the rescue. There was another instance when an applicant was in the lobby, and his pants fell to his ankles, and another time when a man came in and stole the campus president’s (Scott Rogers) coke and drank it, but you’ll have to ask Scott for more details on that one! Donna also stated, “I can’t count all the fun times and laughs I’ve had with Scott Rogers over the years.”
When asked what motivates her, Donna stated, “I have no idea what motivates me. I guess the fact that I’ve always loved the job helps a lot.” She is also motivated by the challenge of meeting and exceeding her goals (which she always does) and knowing she can start fresh with each new start. It keeps the job fresh. She says, “I’m not going to lie; the money also helps support my bad habits (lol).”
Donna is proud of her years at East Ohio College, stating, “Wouldn’t you be proud of yourself if you worked for 22 years without getting fired? (lol). But seriously, I am so proud of my son. He’s a workaholic and set high goals for himself, and is a successful CPA. Also, my grandkids, the oldest one, is a mini-me. And most of all, I’m proud of myself for still kicking at 62 without accidentally killing myself.”
Donna’s favorite things to do in life are lying on the beach with a Blue Moon and a slice of orange, hanging out with friends, and reading books, and she is looking forward to being able to do more of these things in the future. In addition, Donna loves good food cooking on the stove as well as a squeaky clean house, all of which will be achievable after retirement!
When asked for something interesting about herself, Donna stated that people often ask her where she’s from. She always replies, “The fact is I have no point of origin. I’m an Air Force brat, so I was born in Japan, and we moved every 2 to 4 years. Also, my mother was born and raised in Tokyo. Nosey people always want to know my ethnicity or where I’m from, and I just say around here, and when asked if I’m Hawaiian, Italian, or Native American, I just say yes. Ha Ha. One last thing, “I’m planning on retiring at the end of September, so au revoir, sayonara, aloha, and ciao!”
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