Contest Winner Named: Side By Side With the Dean

Congratulations to Taylor Hayden, winner of the college’s 2018 Side by Side with the Dean contest. Hayden is a sophomore majoring in International Studies and in Arabic.

The contest is designed to give one student an opportunity to see what it’s like to be dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, while giving the dean the chance to walk in a student’s shoes. On March 21, Hayden and Dean Jeff Braden will spend the day together, attending classes, meetings and events on each other’s calendars.

The dean will accompany Fritz to her classes: Arabic and Philosophy. “Philosophy will give you a headache,” she forewarned the dean in her essay application, “but it is fun to challenge the mind and think about problems in a new light.”

She is excited for the dean participate in her Arabic class as well. “As it is a new major and not a large class it would be beneficial for the dean to see how talented the professors we have in our major are. He may also learn a few new words!” Hayden serves as president of the Arabic Club, and hopes to take the dean along to a meeting, which just might include “yummy food and even dancing.”

She also hopes to take him to both of her campus jobs:  at PackTV, where he could help her edit game videos and host “The Daily,” and as an academic tutor for student athletes.

The pair will also attend to the business of the college. Hayden will help conduct a program review of NC State’s Academic Strategy and Resource Management unit, accompany the dean in meetings with key faculty, campus leaders and donors, and attend the Graduate Student Research Symposium.

As an out-of-state student, Hayden says she’s found her home “here amongst the bricks. … I would cherish an opportunity to express my love to donors, thank those who make my college spectacular, and learn more about how the institution operates.”