Author: Aymia Browder: Metro Voice Editor
THE VOICE: Dr. McCory, we hope you are healthy and safe — have you been tested?
I am healthy, as well as everyone in my household; we haven’t had a need for testing.
THE VOICE: How has this pandemic affected your personal life ?
DR. MCCORY: Like many others, the pandemic has turned everything upside down. Trying to telework with a house full of people, including a homeschooling teenager- is no small feat. Everyone in my household is used to being busy with work, school and activities, so we’re not used to seeing each other so much. Even our cat {Tux} seems to be weary of the full house! But we’re thankful for our health and the opportunity to weather this together.
THE VOICE: Any updates regarding the students that have tested positive for COVID19?
DR. MCCORY: The students who disclosed a COVID-19 diagnosis are recovering at home. As far as I know, they are not suffering additional complications and have been working with their faculty to complete their coursework.
THE VOICE: As the days drag on and the news ebbs and flows, what have you been doing to keep your joy?
DR. MCCORY: I have been going on a lot of walks and having Zoom sessions with friends. Fortunately, I love my job, so my work and my colleagues keep me uplifted. I also try to reflect each day on what I’m grateful for; this has gotten me through some of the toughest days.
THE VOICE: With the new student center, Metro has really changed its profile, but now this — how can we recover?
DR. MCCORY: Our best opportunity for recovery is to bring our faculty, staff and students back to campus as quickly and safely as we can. In addition to the new Campus Center, the community will return to new laboratories, outdoor spaces and other upgrades. Our construction projects are still underway, even though the facilities are currently closed.
THE VOICE: What’s Fall semester at Metro campus going to look like? Is Metro campus culture changed forever?
DR. MCCORY: It’s too soon to determine how we will offer Fall classes and programs, but what I know for certain is that the way that we teach, learn, and interact will be very different from what we’re used to. What makes Metro’s culture so special is the family atmosphere. We will have to be creative about how we achieve that given the physical limitations that we will likely endure for some time. We will continue to leverage technology and other creative means to stay connected and engaged so that we keep Metro’s home-like culture.
THE VOICE: Since this pandemic, who has been styling your hair? How are you getting by?
DR. MCCORY: My hair is braided so it’s low-maintenance and pretty easy for me to maintain myself.
THE VOICE: What do you think we could do to put the Metro campus on the map — maybe a Metro internet talk show or podcast?
DR. MCCORY: I think it would be cool to have a talk show or podcast; I’m sure we could find a way to connect it to our Communications program, Journalism, or even Recording Arts.
THE VOICE: What type of work force can we provide for writers, musicians, business majors? For an example: after The Film Academy students have completed their training, most of them are employed immediately. What can we do to empower and prepare our students for future jobs in the fields such as Creative Arts?
DR. MCCORY: The College has a robust co-op and internship program through the Career Center. We have hundreds of industry partners across the region, and these employers often serve as a launching point for students to gain an entry level position. Even better, students can earn college credit and sometimes be paid while they gain valuable skills. Students should connect with the Career Center to find out what internship and co-op opportunities are available for their area of study.
THE VOICE: We have many training outlets, but what outlets does Metro have that not only add experience to a student’s resume but also could lead to a job?
DR. MCCORY: In addition to the opportunities I mentioned above, there are a number of work study and student assistant positions on campus. Several of our former students, who once served as Student Ambassadors or student assistants, now have full-time positions at the College. Even if working at Tri-C isn’t a student’s career aspiration, the skills and professional references that they gain from working on campus will serve them well in any career. I also encourage students to participate in Student Government, the Student Leadership Program or clubs and organizations. These are excellent networking opportunities and ways to set students apart when they’re seeking employment or admission to a 4-year school.
THE VOICE: Going forward, how can leadership provide avenues for Metro students to show case their talent? For an example: now that the pandemic has occurred live concerts have been shown with singing groups through a wide screen with each person from the musical group on a separate screen. If that type of creativity has surfaced now, what kind resources can Metro use when things come back together?
DR. MCCORY: We are fortunate as an institution to have state of the art facilities, equipment and technology. We have already arranged for virtual Jazz Fest, Creative Arts academy and other programs, so the capabilities are there. The Student Life Office is able to guide students on how to showcase their talents through virtual platforms.
THE VOICE: You seem to be bearing the weight of all this well — maybe this interim position suits you. Will you be staying on as the next Metro campus president?
DR. MCCORY: I am a candidate for the position, and I have completed part of the interview process. We have suspended the campus president search for now, so that we can focus on sustaining College operations in response to COVID-19. We hope to resume the search in the near future.
