by Rebecca Doverspike

As we attend readings, workshops, and award luncheons throughout the semester, we sometimes forget there’s behind-the-scenes planning necessary to form those events. Marsha Bissett is one of the crucial people behind those scenes helping to make sure such events run smoothly. We wanted to highlight her invaluable role in the department by asking her some questions about her work and perspective.

1) What path(s) brought you to work in the English Department at WVU? How long have you worked for WVU?

I came to WVU in March of 1990. I accepted a position as Administrative Secretary in the Department of Foreign Languages, where I remained for 14 years. In the spring of 2004, I accepted a position as Program Assistant in the Financial Aid Office, where I remained for 2 years. In August 2006, I accepted my current position as Administrative Assistant in the Department of English. I have been at WVU for a total of 22 years.

2) Could you give us a brief description of your job?

I plan the departmental events, such as readings, lectures, workshops, and seminars. I also coordinate the awarding of scholarships and writing contest prizes.

3) What is a “regular” work day like—the tasks involved, etc.?

I really don’t have a “regular” work day; it just depends on what type of event I’m planning at the time. A typical reading involves reserving a room; making a hotel reservation for the guest, if needed; publicity, such as a press release and poster; contacting the WVU Bookstore and asking them to purchase the books to sell at the reading; ordering refreshments; making a program; and setting up the room the day of the reading. The Writers’ Workshop requires year-around planning, such as reserving meeting space and preparing publicity in the fall semester, to accepting applications and corresponding with participants in the spring semester, to making final preparations during the summer.

4) You organize a lot of events and communicate with a great number of people (and, from personal experience, always with warmth)—how do you keep all the pieces in place in the midst of all these interactions?

After being in this position for six years, I’ve learned that you always have to plan ahead. I use my Groupwise Calendar to keep me on task. This way, I know what I have to do and when it needs to be done. I try to treat everyone with respect because I know that’s how I would like to be treated.

5) What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?

I think the most rewarding aspect of my job is the feeling of satisfaction when an event, that I have planned, is successful. It’s also a pleasure to award scholarships to deserving students.

6) At which times do you feel stressed or overwhelmed? What do you keep in mind at those times?

I feel most stressed during the latter part of the spring semester. This is when the scholarships are awarded, the writing contests prizes are awarded, and I’m planning the Awards Luncheon all at the same time. It can be a little overwhelming, but I keep thinking about the summer break and that seems to help.

7) Do you feel you’re part of a larger team or do you feel independent while you’re working (or maybe a combination thereof)?

I feel that I am both part of a team and independent. In order to organize a successful reading or workshop, I rely on many WVU employees to do their part in the process. Some of our events are held in the Mountainlair, so I rely on the Reservations Office to setup the room. I rely on the Catering Office to supply the refreshments. I rely on the WVU Bookstore to have the books to sell at each reading. It’s sort of a group effort, even though I am responsible for getting in touch with each office.

8) Could you tell us a story of something that’s happened during your job that you’ve never forgotten?

One spring semester (I forget what year); I planned the pizza party for early March. This is an event where undergraduate English majors can come and enjoy pizza and receive course flyers for the upcoming semester. The weather did not cooperate that year and we received a huge snow storm the day of the party. The pizza had already been pre-ordered a week in advance and there were few students that showed up for the party.

9) You’re known in the department for being ever-kind and calm. How do you always attain such calmness?

Sometimes I think it’s just your personality that controls your demeanor. I have always been a quiet/calm person, even as a child. I’m definitely an introvert. Also, I try not to allow small mishaps to upset me.

10) What do you like to do outside of work? Any favorite authors?

I like to spend time with my husband and our two sons. We enjoy hiking, bike riding, family vacations, and picnics. I don’t have much free time to read, but I do enjoy reading magazines such as Family Circle.

Throughout the department, we know how invaluable Marsha is.”Marsha Bissett is so utterly reliable and unobtrusively thorough that it’s easy to forget how much she does to support the outreach and public perception of this department,” Jim Harms said. “She really is indispensable. She’s also as decent and kind a person as you’re likely to meet.”

Mark Brazaitis agrees. “As the director of the Creative Writing Program and the West Virginia Writers’ Workshop, I have worked closely with Marsha for the last five years,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for a more dedicated, considerate, and talented colleague. Marsha is the secret magician behind so much of what we do. For our reading series, she drafts press releases, designs publicity materials, and creates programs. She also helps with the logistics of bringing writers to campus. For our undergraduate program, she collects submissions for the Sturm Scholarship, publicizes Calliope, assists with the awards banquet, and so much more. For the West Virginia Writers’ Workshop, she does everything but read at the open mic. Maybe this summer! It’s a huge gift to have Marsha in our department.”

The next time that you’re in the English Department, stop on by Marsha’s office to say hello and thank you for all of her wonderful work. Better yet, say thank you to everyone that works in the office. We’d all fall apart without them.