“My career has blended so well with my goals,” reflects Justine Defever, Cleary associate professor of English and Communications. “I wanted to stay in academia and continue working in the fine arts field. I’m able to do both at Cleary.”
Defever’s resume doesn’t come close to documenting her accomplished work record and achievements. She has published more than a dozen poems, started writing a complete book of poetry, designed the Bridge course curriculum at Cleary, serves as co-adviser of DECA, conducts tours of the Arthur Secunda Museum as a trained docent, helps students write resume cover letters, and when she was an academic adviser at Cleary, she implemented an academic success plan for at-risk students.
“I love working with students, and I’m fortunate that my work experience translates well at Cleary,” Defever reports.
During her college years, Defever chose technical writing as her career path, but “I liked the energy in higher education,” she finds. She was a resident assistant at Saginaw Valley State University, and after graduation, she moved to Marquette for a position as a resident director at Northern Michigan University. During this time, she earned a master’s degree in Higher Education in Student Affairs.
Even though she found northern Michigan the “most magical, beautiful place in the world,” she decided it was time to move back to lower Michigan four years later. Defever applied for an academic adviser position with Cleary University and landed that job six years ago. She earned a second master’s degree – this one was in creative writing with a focus on poetry – from Arcadia University – and her work pace has quickened with many promotions at Cleary in a short window of time. She now serves as a full-time associate professor and a DECA adviser.
Defever teaches writing composition, public speaking, and first-year classes geared toward acclimating students to college life.
“I enjoy teaching important foundational classes such as composition because these are skills students will need throughout their entire life,” she points out. “So many adults struggle with the written word. I am here to demystify writing skills.
“So much of what I learned in school I am able to bring into the classroom,” she is thrilled to say. “At Cleary, we are intentional about getting to know every one of our students, and we give them one-on-one attention.
“I love the small class sizes, which gives me a chance to get to know my students quickly and have many conversations with them throughout the semester,” she points out. “For those willing to share their personal interests and goals, I work alongside these students as they navigate potential careers. Learning from subject matter experts is a clear advantage Cleary has over other institutions,” she notes. “As an instructor, I can help students find where they fit and how they fit, I can be a mentor and a counselor. In the classroom, it is important for me to have an open, two-way dialogue with students. This is how I can learn their passions and guide them toward them. Each student has a unique perspective and that is how we learn from each other.”
Defever says she loves the investment Cleary faculty members make in the lives of students.
“Professors know students by name and have a sincere interest in their academic aspirations,” she says, adding that the focus of the school readies graduates for a wide range of opportunities.
“I believe a business education prepares students for a variety of fields, positions and careers because Cleary offers such a well-rounded curriculum,” she says.
Defever is quick to extend accolades to Kelly Genei, dean of undergraduate studies, who took Defever under her wing as co-adviser of DECA. “Kelly has been an incredible mentor and leader. Under her leadership, DECA students have earned state and international recognition consistently year after year. I have seen their confidence bloom under Kelly’s guidance, and their public speaking skills have soared.
“Cleary helps prepare students for their future career regardless of what industry they choose,” Defever believes. “I strongly recommend students take advantage of student/faculty relationships. There is so much value in building these relationships. It is difficult to put a monetary value on those.”
When she is not on the Cleary campus, you may spot Defever in a downtown Howell coffee shop. She lives near the downtown district and takes advantage of the shopping, dining and small-town charm Howell offers. Defever also is a published writer, painter and quilter.
