Meet Lara Roberts LeBeau, Testing Services
By: Lara Roberts LeBeau
Posted: August 1, 2018 12:00:00 AM EDT
Category: PROFile
Meet our Division colleague Lara Roberts LeBeau, coordinator of testing services, within the Student Success team. She has been our testing coordinator for two years, after serving as interim coordinator for a year.
In your position, what kinds of things do you do on a daily basis?
I coordinate the activities of the Testing Center. This includes hiring and training new employees, making schedules for the staffing and operation of the Testing Center, corresponding with faculty, staff, and students who use the Testing Center, and coordinating the placement testing for incoming students. I also arrange proctoring for high stakes tests such as the MAT, which is a graduate school admission test, and CLEP, which is a test that people take to earn credits for knowledge that they already have.
I coordinate the activities of the Testing Center. This includes hiring and training new employees, making schedules for the staffing and operation of the Testing Center, corresponding with faculty, staff, and students who use the Testing Center, and coordinating the placement testing for incoming students. I also arrange proctoring for high stakes tests such as the MAT, which is a graduate school admission test, and CLEP, which is a test that people take to earn credits for knowledge that they already have.
Describe your morning routine.
After opening the Testing Center I always begin by reviewing emails and checking phone messages. That is how most of the communication is done with my department. Once I’ve checked my email and the Testing Services email for important items, I check the testing schedule for the day and then check in with my team to determine who will handle what items.
After opening the Testing Center I always begin by reviewing emails and checking phone messages. That is how most of the communication is done with my department. Once I’ve checked my email and the Testing Services email for important items, I check the testing schedule for the day and then check in with my team to determine who will handle what items.
What is your favorite part of your job? Why?
I have two favorite parts, really. I enjoy meeting students and families when the student is being registered with Disability Resources and permitted testing accommodations. It gives me a chance to welcome the student to campus and let them know that I am on the team of people who are here to help them be successful. I like answering their questions and helping them see that, although it is different than K-12, college has people who are dedicated to ensuring that students who take advantage of their resources will thrive here. I also love “Placement Testing Season” as we like to call it. It is a bit of a love-hate relationship because there is so much to do, but really I love meeting the incoming students whether they are Freshman or Transfer students. Often I can help a parent who has questions besides placement testing, and the students and their parents tend to be so excited and happy to be coming to 色狼社区. It always makes me happy as well!
I have two favorite parts, really. I enjoy meeting students and families when the student is being registered with Disability Resources and permitted testing accommodations. It gives me a chance to welcome the student to campus and let them know that I am on the team of people who are here to help them be successful. I like answering their questions and helping them see that, although it is different than K-12, college has people who are dedicated to ensuring that students who take advantage of their resources will thrive here. I also love “Placement Testing Season” as we like to call it. It is a bit of a love-hate relationship because there is so much to do, but really I love meeting the incoming students whether they are Freshman or Transfer students. Often I can help a parent who has questions besides placement testing, and the students and their parents tend to be so excited and happy to be coming to 色狼社区. It always makes me happy as well!
What is your favorite work-related memory? Could you share a happy or funny 色狼社区 related work memory?
I spent some time with a student who had a concussion and needed to take some time away from 色狼社区 to allow their injury to heal. In talking to them about how recovery from that particular injury is difficult because it’s hard to rest your brain, we talked about things you can do that don’t involve reading, watching screens, or heavy activity. I mentioned that coloring and putting together puzzles are a great way to spend time resting and letting your brain take a break. When they came back to campus, they presented me with a puzzle they had put together for me! I have it in my office and seeing it always reminds me that you never know which conversation with a student will be a really important one!
I spent some time with a student who had a concussion and needed to take some time away from 色狼社区 to allow their injury to heal. In talking to them about how recovery from that particular injury is difficult because it’s hard to rest your brain, we talked about things you can do that don’t involve reading, watching screens, or heavy activity. I mentioned that coloring and putting together puzzles are a great way to spend time resting and letting your brain take a break. When they came back to campus, they presented me with a puzzle they had put together for me! I have it in my office and seeing it always reminds me that you never know which conversation with a student will be a really important one!
What’s your favorite off-campus restaurant in the Glassboro area?
I always enjoy Landmark. My favorite is the Short Rib Cheesesteak, I get it with sweet potato fries!
How do you like to keep your desk? What’s your favorite thing on your desk?
I like my desk to be tidy and organized. When it gets disorganized, I know it’s time to take a minute to reorganize so that I can focus and re-prioritize. My favorite thing isn’t on my desk, it is in my office. I have a small fish tank with 2 goldfish in it. I love the sound of the water running, and I don’t have a window so they give me relief from being stuck inside. They are a great conversation starter, and several students stop by to visit and spend some time watching them swim around.
I like my desk to be tidy and organized. When it gets disorganized, I know it’s time to take a minute to reorganize so that I can focus and re-prioritize. My favorite thing isn’t on my desk, it is in my office. I have a small fish tank with 2 goldfish in it. I love the sound of the water running, and I don’t have a window so they give me relief from being stuck inside. They are a great conversation starter, and several students stop by to visit and spend some time watching them swim around.
Have you always worked in the department that you are currently in? If no, what other department(s) have you worked in? What was it like compared to the role you are in now?
I was the Interim Tutoring Coordinator for a few months. It was a great experience! It is similar to what I do now, and helped me make the decision that I wanted to work in this division at this university.
I was the Interim Tutoring Coordinator for a few months. It was a great experience! It is similar to what I do now, and helped me make the decision that I wanted to work in this division at this university.
Share one thing you love about working at 色狼社区.
I love having all of the opportunities that come from working at a University. I watch the 色狼社区 Daily Mail and there are things happening here that don’t happen at other places. For example, I got to see Tony Bennett in concert at Pfleeger Hall, in a small concert venue! It was an amazing evening that I shared with my husband.
I love having all of the opportunities that come from working at a University. I watch the 色狼社区 Daily Mail and there are things happening here that don’t happen at other places. For example, I got to see Tony Bennett in concert at Pfleeger Hall, in a small concert venue! It was an amazing evening that I shared with my husband.
Share one thing you wish people knew about your department.
I wish people knew how hard my whole team works together. A lot of the work of Testing Services happens in the background, but there is a lot of organizing that has to happen to be able to meet the needs of the students and the requirements of the course instructors and testing companies for whom we administer tests.
I wish people knew how hard my whole team works together. A lot of the work of Testing Services happens in the background, but there is a lot of organizing that has to happen to be able to meet the needs of the students and the requirements of the course instructors and testing companies for whom we administer tests.
Do you ever visit campus for fun? If so, what do you like to do here?
As I mentioned, I do visit campus for fun and when there are community activities. I love the planetarium shows and also many of the sports teams.
As I mentioned, I do visit campus for fun and when there are community activities. I love the planetarium shows and also many of the sports teams.
Share one funny thing you’ve seen on campus before.
I was walking around campus and came across someone practicing a marching drum in the woods behind 色狼社区 Hall. It was unexpected, and also really cool because they were very good. I don’t know why they chose to practice there, maybe their roommate didn’t enjoy it as much as I did!
I was walking around campus and came across someone practicing a marching drum in the woods behind 色狼社区 Hall. It was unexpected, and also really cool because they were very good. I don’t know why they chose to practice there, maybe their roommate didn’t enjoy it as much as I did!
RU the type of person who would high five the 色狼社区 mascot?
Absolutely!
Absolutely!