Sociology Faculty Spotlight

Getting to know Heather Dillaway

Heather Dillaway received What advice do you have for a student her PhD from Michigan State University, thinking about a graduate degree in MA from the University of Delaware and Sociology? 1) Try not to pay for your degree her BA in History and Sociology at Cornell out of pocket; 2) make sure you have a good University. She began at Wayne State in faculty mentor; and 3) make sure you are August 2002, before even finalizing her realistic about your career options. dissertation at MSU! Not only is she Associate Professor of Sociology, she is What is the most fulfilling part of your job? Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Students–having conversations with them and Who is your role model and why? Every College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and has watching them actually do good all by them- middle aged and elderly woman. I love previously served as Associate Dean of selves. Having an awesome thought while watching women in the process of living. I have Master’s Programs in the Graduate School, writing a paper (and actually being able to get it also had tons of female role models in my life, Sociology Director of Graduate Studies, down on paper). Talking to random women and I owe much of my success to them. Some HEATHER E. Director of Undergraduate Studies, and during data collection. And, the rare moment are in my family, some are acquaintances, and DILLAWAY, PHD Interim Department Chair. Most recently when I feel like I can actually make change in many are in academia. I am constantly struck by the power of women to survive burdens, she served as Acting Director of the something. Institute of Gerontology. persevere, and forge ahead. ASSOCIATE …the person PROFESSOR …the professor What celebrity do you get mistaken for? I When you have 30 minutes of free time, how don’t think I dress well enough to ever be ASSOCIATE DEAN mistaken for a celebrity  How would you describe your teaching do you pass the time? Hang out with my kids,

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL style? Anyone who takes my classes be outside, garden (I love trees and flowers), If you had to change your first name, what knows that I still write on the chalkboard, sleep late on weekends, stay up really late ARTS AND SCIENCES would you change it to? My mom was and I love circle discussions (yes, I make watching silly TV, listen to music, sew (yes, I going to name me Sunshine (no joke), so I Email students sit in a circle with me). I like was in 4-H for years), take nature photos. talking with students and letting them have always wondered what that would be like. share their opinions. I like the interaction What songs are included on the sound-track What was your first job or oddest job between me and students, the students to your life? Well, life changes and so does CV outside of academia? My first job was themselves, and the students and course the soundtrack but here are some for now: working as a front desk clerk for a small hotel materials. The more talking we do, the Alphaville: Forever Young; When in Rome: The Office 2237 FAB at age 14. Other weird jobs: I fixed watches at better! Promise; Van Morrison: Brown-Eyed Girl; JCPenney’s (and learned on the job, breaking Erasure: Sometimes, Chains of Love, A Little Courses Taught: a few watches in the process!). I wrapped What advice would you give to Respect, and Take a Chance on Me; Dar The Family Christmas presents at the mall. During college I students pursuing a career/degree in Williams: Aging Well, Iowa, February, the Research Methods helped run an agricultural leadership institute Sociology? Everything about sociology Babysitter Song; Ani Difranco: any song! Willy for farmers in upstate New York (which means is relevant for their lives. Sociology is all Porter: Watercolor; Melissa Ferrick: every single to this day I can still name all the rural towns in around them, in them, and helps them one of her older songs; The Cranberries: Linger; that region!). understand both their lives and others’ Indigo Girls: Gallileo; :

lives. Social problems are complicated anything on the Fear or Pale albums; Abigail If you could witness any event past, present and can’t just be solved in an instance. Stauffer: Beloved. Any 1980s monster ballad or future, what would it be? Past: Freedom That society can block opportunities, and (yes, it is true); Pink: Dear Mr. President; Summer, Seneca Falls Women’s Rights why. That it’s okay to pick apart George Winston: any song, any album; and Conventions, Woodstock. Future: Some day I something they love in the world and anything acapella. I could go on and on, but folk will go see the Aurora Borealis in Iceland, analyze it, and then use that knowledge to music always makes me happy, especially if it , or someplace similar. understand and navigate the world better. has a little anger in it.