With a CSU history spanning several decades, including three degrees and experience working in four offices across campus, Academic Success Coordinator Elizabeth Terry-Emmot (B.A. ’00, M.A. ’02, M.S. ’06) is a stalwart Ram.
Terry-Emmot uses her liberal arts skills and values to pursue a robust list of professional and personal projects.
Ram roots
For more than 20 years, Elizabeth Terry-Emmot has worked for the College of Liberal Arts, but her history at CSU extends much further.
Studies first drew her to Ram country – starting with a B.A. in Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
“I was drawn to speech communication because I recognized that if I wanted to be a good leader, I needed to be able to communicate well with those I was supervising,” said Terry-Emmot. “I needed to be able to understand their needs and wants and do what I could to create a work environment where people would want to stay.”
“I needed to be able to understand their needs and wants and do what I could to create a work environment where people would want to stay.”
After finishing her B.A., she completed two master’s degrees: the first in her home department of Communication Studies (called Speech Communication at the time) and the second in Student Affairs in Higher Education.
This dive into a new realm of academia was influenced by both professional and academic experiences. “I lived and worked in the on-campus international apartment community and was very involved with students and families from all over the world,” she said.
That involvement shed light on her passion for working with students. “I wanted to continue to help young students and non-traditional students figure out how to get through college,” — a mission that held profound personal significance, too.
“Since I was a low-income and first-generation student, I wanted to help others who might have been raised to not even think about college as an option,” she said.
From passion to practice
Terry-Emmot’s career at CSU went from University Village to the CSU alumni magazine to the communication studies department.
Her most notable experience has been with the CLA Academic Support Center, where she worked as the center’s director for ten years.
“As a supervisor of ASCs [Academic Success Coordinators], I was able to listen to the needs of everyone on the team and do what I could to make their work life the best possible,” she said. Her leadership enabled each coordinator to thoughtfully guide and support College of Liberal Arts students.
Today, Terry-Emmot still works in the CLA Academic Support Center, but as an ASC herself.
“[As an ASC] supporting students in their educational journey has given me the opportunity to help hundreds of students complete their degrees at CSU and to study abroad, which is life changing,” she said.
A new era of exploration
Beyond advising and student support, Terry-Emmot pursues a number of meaningful personal projects using the skills of the liberal arts.
Over the last few years, Terry-Emmot has written twelve children’s books — two of which are now published: Farm Stories: The Farm Auction and A New Day at the Farm.
Her inspiration stems from growing up visiting her grandparents’ farm in the summers in Kansas. “I have a lot of memories from those times because they were so different from my life in the city,” she said. She wrote the stories in hopes they could be shared with her future grandchildren. “I wanted to have them written down in case my son ever has kids and wants to share my stories with them.”
Cover art for “The Farm Auction” and “A New Day at the Farm.”
Terry-Emmot actively pursues other ways to fill her curiosity and creativity. “I have so many hobbies that it’s difficult to find the time to do them all. I enjoy hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, quilting occasionally, baking, and gardening,” said Terry-Emmot.
Recently, Terry-Emmot added “YouTuber” to her resume.
“I have a YouTube channel where I have posted lots of videos I’ve made. Some cooking…some on how to make things,” such as her impressive metalwork projects.
Terry-Emmot explains that her metalwork came about from a thrifty mindset. “I’m very into reducing/recycling/reusing things in order to help the environment.”
From that philosophy, a project emerged. “My husband and I started a garage project several years ago using pre-used shipping containers,” said Terry-Emmot. “I’ve replaced about half of our back fence with animal art [from those containers].”
An example of excellence
Throughout her time at CSU, Terry-Emmot has shown what it means to be a Ram. Leading with the knowledge from her CSU educational experience, she has consistently inspired team members, peers and students alike — manifesting positive change that spans generations.
Pushing herself to new heights in her education, career and personal interests, Terry-Emmot showcases one of the liberal arts’ greatest values: the joy of exploration.
