5 Questions with Cheryl Fleener-Seymour

Q: What does your role at Grinnell entail?

A: I am an academic assistant (AA) and support the departments on the south pavilion of the Humanities and Social Studies Center (HSSC). I assist faculty with their classroom prep, travel arrangements, reimbursements, bringing guests to campus, helping with faculty searches — whatever the task is I try my best to accommodate their request. We AA’s have our hands in many pots, if you will, and a lot of responsibility. I work with an amazing group of faculty members, and we consider ourselves "South Side Strong,” a name we came up with after COVID, and I am part of an outstanding team of AAs who each contribute something unique to our group.

Q: What was the path that brought you to the Grinnell?

A: Prior to working at the College, I worked at Grinnell High School until the position I held there was cut. I happened to open the Grinnell Herald and I saw the listing for a 10-month position working with the chaplain, so I applied online. I started in August of 2000, and I truly enjoyed the work I did and the connections I made with students. I held that position for a little over 10 years when I decided to look at other options within the College. I applied for an academic assistant position and have been in that role since January of 2010. 

Q: Tell us a little about your family?

A: I am married to a Native American who is a well-known musician and we live on the Meskwaki settlement. We’ve adopted nine children, all of native decent. Five of those are adults and out of the house and we have four younger ones — a junior in high school, a seventh grader, a fifth grader, and a two-year-old. I also have two beautiful granddaughters, so when people ask me at the holidays how many I’m cooking for I always giggle, because typically I’m cooking for 9-10 people every night. My family means everything to me; they are my world! 

Q: Between work and kids, do you have time for any hobbies?

A: My hobbies and activities are more related to what my children are involved in based on the season. I truly enjoy going to school activities, tribal functions and watching my children dance at Powwow. I love cheering loud and proud — yes, I embarrass them but at least they know I’m there in the stands. My younger three children are active in lacrosse, and I have really come to enjoy and respect that sport. My daughter’s 12U [age 12 and under] team are the state champs for Iowa and Nebraska, and my son’s 10U team holds the championship title for Iowa. What I enjoy the most is when our family can all get together, which seems to be less and less as their lives become busier. We have a firepit our sons built during COVID, and we still have plenty of wood to burn from the storm, so we love hanging out around the fire, listening to music, talking, telling stories, and laughing.  

Q: Your spare time must be very minimal. What do you do when you have some time to yourself?

A: We are a foster family and have been the port in the storm for many children/families, and I help co-teach the 11-week training class for those folks wanting to become foster parents and be approved to adopt if they desire. I also have a side-hustle selling “Scentsy.” I was my main customer, so I decided why not make money off my money. Honestly, though, I don’t have much time to myself. So, when I commute the 35 minutes to and from work, I drive in complete silence; this allows me to recharge my energy and shift my role.