2008 Woodie Awards
Staff Spotlight: Donni Price
Britten Gerrard
Issue date: 5/12/08 Section: Campus News
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Price was chosen as our "spotlight staff member" because of her dedication to her students and the positive attitude she displays on campus each and every day. Price primarily helps veterans and other students with their school scheduling and career decisions.
The Chaparral sat down with Price and asked her a few questions about her job and herself.
Chaparral: How long have you been a veteran's specialist at COD?
Price: I started in November of 1979, so over 29 years now.
Chaparral: Where did you grow up and go to school?
Price: I'm a true "desert rat". I grew up in Palm Springs and attended Palm Springs High School and then received my AA here at College of the Desert in Liberal Arts.
Chaparral: What inspired you to be a veteran's advisor?
Price: I was raised in a military family. My dad served as a military policeman in World War II and actually escorted German prisoners so I've always been around a military environment. I fell into this job and immediately loved it. It feels great being able to work with veterans.
Chaparral: What's your favorite part of your job?
Price: I love helping people and the feeling I get when I see students succeed and meet their goals in life.
Chaparral: What are some of your hobbies?
Price: I love watching sports, especially COD sports and pro and college football. I'm a big fan of the Steelers, Chargers, Lakers, USC football and UCLA basketball. I also help out as the statistician for the COD football team and scrapbook some of the COD sports teams throughout the year.
Chaparral: What would you recommend for incoming College of the Desert students?
Price: Start out slow and find out what they're interested in. Visit the career and transfer centers and soak in as much information as they can. I've noticed many of my students find careers that open up to them while attending COD. It's definitely a great place to find yourself.
Chaparral: What are some of the most common problems that you encounter with your students?
Price: Challenges with their classes, not sure what they want to take and what they want to major in. Also a lot of the veterans I help are unaware of the benefits that are available to them.
Chaparral: What's the biggest difference you see in veteran's compared to typical college students that come straight to COD from high school?
Price: A lot of the veterans have had time to think about their lives and are much more mature. They've been exposed to several cultures and typically are a little more "serious" about school and generally are good students.
Chaparral: Any final words you would like to add?
Price: Yes. I'm very privileged to have a job I love coming to. In this day and age, it's rare to actually have a job that's enjoyable, and mine is definitely one I look forward to every single day!
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