Gries and Sauls finish strong in the academic race to the MPA

Pace yourself. Develop partnerships to provide encouragement and accountability. Break goals down into manageable segments. Unwind then press on with diligence. These are ways to prepare for a marathon, whether it's a physical or an academic one. Sally Gries, director of University and Community Relations, and Susan Sauls, art collection registrar, have endured both. Their long run towards a Master in Public Administration degree is almost complete, and victory is in sight.

Gries and Sauls have depended on one another during their academic journey and appreciate the companionship, reassurance and push each has given the other. Their study session would often begin with dinner and conversation to unwind from the work day before making their way to the Rice Library.
Meetings were less about studying material together, since most times they were in different classes, and more about having good company and motivating one another. Gries, a fitness buff, would often amuse Sauls when she would have to get up and walk laps around the library. "I got a Garmin watch last summer to help me with running and pacing," she said. "It'll vibrate and tell you to get up and move, so every 45 minutes or so, my watch would go off and I'd have to get up." Sauls would bide her time by catching up on her Words with Friends game on her phone.

Sauls, who received her bachelor's degree in art from the University of Evansville in 1989, said getting back into the swing of being a student took some getting used to. She set a slow and steady pace for herself, taking one course every semester.

Gries, a USI alumna with a bachelor's degree in public relations, started the program in spring 2014, shortly after beginning her job at USI.  Time management has been her greatest challenge and balancing work and education. "During my first year of graduate school, we were planning for the University's 50th anniversary and during my second year, we were celebrating," she said.

Gries says the incentive USI provides for employees to continue their education played heavily on her decision to get a master's degree; and that her dual role of employee and student has given her greater empathy for students she encounters in her job. "I start to relate to the students better because I understand what they're going through."

How will each of them celebrate graduation? "I really want my kids to be there to see me walk," Sauls said. "I'm always telling them 'You don't stop learning after school. You're always challenging yourself and learning something.' Gries, on the other hand, will reward herself by marking off an item on her bucket list, a marathon, of course. "My next goal is to run the Dopey at Disney World, which is four races in four days, for a grand total of 48.6 miles."

Gries and Sauls will both walk during the Graduate Ceremony on April 29.