On this episode, host Lisa Alexander is joined in studio by Pat Sievert, to chat and share his journey to Lansing Community College. From teaching History, to advising students, and even stand-up comedy, Pat's strident service to help others makes him a bright Star in the LCC constellation.

Hey, hey, hey. This is Lisa A. and you're listening to Who's That Star? on LCC Connect at Lansing Community College. Who's That Star? is a behind the scenes show, where I sit down and talk with the employees at the college. This is an inside look at LCC, where you have a chance to learn about their passions, projects, and what inspires them both in their work and personal lives. I'm your host, Lisa Alexander, and I'm so excited to get a chance to talk to all the people who make LCC great. This show is for you to get to know the people that work at Lansing Community College a little bit more and see what makes them tick. Are you ready? Okay. Let's find out Who's That Star.

Today's episode is about roots, growth and what it means to find your way back to work.

That feels meaningful. My guest today is someone whose story is shaped by both where they come from and where they've chosen to build their life.

Born in a small town in southern Illinois, today's star eventually made Michigan home. Growing up right here in Mason and developing deep ties to the community and the people in it.

Education has always played an important role in today's star journey. Following in family footsteps, they attended Western Michigan University where they studied history. Originally planning to become a history teacher.

Along the way, today's star has worn many.

Substitute teacher, student employee in the cafeteria at Western Michigan, Camp counselor at Van Buren Youth Camp, Assessment center, team member here at LCC, and even time in the corporate world at DART Container. A shift that brought a whole new perspective. Each chapter added something.

Insight, resilience, humor, and an appreciation for meaningful work, eventually leading him back to LCC. Outside of work, today's star values balance, reflection, and might even surprise you with a creative side that includes an appreciation for comedy.

Something that says a lot about how he sees the world. So are you ready to meet today's star? Drumroll, please. Today's star is Pat Sievert. Pat, I want to welcome you to Who's That Star?

And I also want to thank you for your patience because, boy, we are having a time up here.

That's all right. Thanks for having me, Lisa.

Yes, definitely. So for folks who may not know you yet, what is your role at LCC and how do you usually explain what you do?

So I'm the lead support for academic advising, so I feel like I do a lot of different things for the advisors. You know, kind of maintaining calendars, ordering things for them, just helping with general reports and all, keeping us in Line. Yeah.

I think the favorite description I heard for what I do, Alan Sorrel said, was, I'm the hand that spins the wheel. I like that you are.

No, you've brought a lot to our department. You keep us together, you keep us organized, you make sure that we have everything that we need. And that's such an important role.

And you definitely have a great attitude to deal with all the craziness that you have to deal in the advising office. So we are so glad that you are here. But coming to this role, it just didn't happen. You.

You've had a few different professional chapters along the way. How did you find your way back to LCC? So you went through some things. So how did you find your way?

I feel like, yeah, I don't know that my career really followed like any set path by any means. I mean, when I was growing up, I don't know that I ever really knew what I wanted to do exactly.

I think when I was really young, I maybe wanted to do something more creative. You know, as a really small kid, I was like, I wanted to do like, I wanted to make comic books or whatever.

You know, that was probably just because that's like what I liked, right? That's what I read. You know, those are my, my favorite thing to, you know, as my hobby. Then I was like, oh, you got to do something serious.

And I was really into like history in high school because I had like some really good history teachers. So that made me, you know, go into studying that in college. So I went through like the student teaching in history.

And then once I graduated, I couldn't really find a full time job. At least in Michigan. If I had left the state, I could have found something. But I was like, I didn't know where to go and, you know, just kind of.

Were you in this area? Like, were you in this area? Did you like, look, I looked all

over the state and, you know, I applied in other states too, but it was kind of, you know, you're. When you're first out of college and you're broke, it's kind of like you're like, got to.

I need to work.

You got to apply, you know, $200 to get your license transferred to each state. You know, it's kind hard to do that. And so, yeah, I would substitute teach just to, you know, try to get my foot in the door places.

And after doing that for a year and a half, I was kind of like, I don't know if I even want to teach. After doing this, you know.

Yeah. No, I can understand that.

Yeah.

So I was, like, looking for something else to do and I got the job at the assessment center because I was just looking for jobs and saw that and I was like, well, it's out of college. Maybe that's something that might be interesting. And started working there. Worked like Matt Lemon and Jesse, who now is the director over there.

And I liked that job a lot. And I was there almost three years. I really liked it, but it was stuck at part time, no benefits.

I was just like, okay, now I should look for something else that maybe is full time. Both my parents worked at Dart where I ended up. So they were always like, well, maybe you should look at this.

And so I just, you know, said, well, I have a lot of office skills from this job. And they had some interviews and they liked me.

So they hired me and was able to take some of the skills I picked up at LCC and get the job and kind of learned as I went there. And I was there for, you know, like 15 years. But yeah, that's a.

That's a long time. It's interesting how you were able to use those skills that you've learned through education and working here. Yeah.

At LCC to go into the corporate world. And did you notice, like, differences in regards to how, like the setting. Yeah. Or how people did things versus, I

think, you know, it was definitely more like. I think the. The environment was more relaxed here. You know, I think, like, you know, I remember, like, the office was huge.

When I worked at LCC, everybody would like the f. The day after the new episode of the Office air, everybody would be talking about it and then like, for. Try to do that at, you know, people like, hey, talk about that in the break room. We're working here.

Oh, yeah.

Okay. You know.

Yeah.

That's one of the things that I do love about working here at LCC is a relaxed environment in the sense that they really believe in a work life balance and that you are going to interact with your co workers and you do have conversations that are more than just work. Right. You got interests and things that you share. And that was. That's a reason why I like it here.

Yeah, sure. Obviously, don't talk about something inappropriate. Right. Students. But, you know, it's like, yeah, we can. We're people.

We talk about and we have lives and stuff like that. Well, with all those experiences that's behind you, like, what brought you back to LCC.

So, you know, after I'd been there, you know, over 15 years they had to do some layoffs. And so it wasn't like performance based. But I was one of the people that was laid off.

So I was looking for work and one of my friends is the director of the library. So he said that, you know, look at LCC because there are more opportunities now than when you left.

So I looked and was just looking for jobs that seemed like they might be a good fit. And I thought the lead support for advising seemed like it would be something that I would be good at.

When I was looking for work, I thought something like administrative assistance, something like that might be something I could do.

It's not something I'd done in the past, but I thought like someone who kind of can manage an office, get things done for people, I thought that's something that I could reasonably do a good job at. I like doing that. I like kind of looking at work like it's a puzzle and let's figure it out. That kind of work is.

Well, I didn't really realize what you did at your previous job. When you say like the supply chain management kind of a little bit moving stuff from here, like that's kind of what you doing.

And advising in a sense too. You got to make sure that this part goes here and you got this part there.

In order for that part to work, you have to kind of have a plan and kind of implement things and think ahead and you do that for us. And like, oh, we like Pat, we need for you to do this and then not you're going to be in the background, but you're making everything move.

So I kind of agree with what Alan description was.

Yeah.

And you know, I, I feel like sometimes like there I was dealing with, you know, products and, you know, schedules and big companies and now, you know, sometimes that could be you're dealing with a big picture and it's not that personalized. And now it's like, oh, now I'm dealing with people and students and I kind of like that a little bit more. It's nice. It's a nice change.

Yeah, it's rewarding.

Yeah.

Well, to talk about that, like, when you think about the day to day, what part of your work feels most meaningful to you?

I think, you know, the times when I do get to help a student, you know, like when I can help them get an appointment or, you know, like sometimes it's hard, you know, in our busier time when you're answering call after call, I need an appointment. Well, there's nothing, nothing I can't get you anything today, right. You know, try again tomorrow.

But the times when I am able to, or they have an issue, but I'm able to resolve it, that's good. That's kind of work that keeps you coming back.

Exactly. No, that is. And you, like, especially during our busy peak times, you get a lot more contact with students, probably cause they're calling more.

And to make that connection and get them that appointment, you are the best thing going right there. Because students really need that. But I'm sure it also makes you feel good.

If you can't make them an appointment, you can maybe point them in the direction of like, well, we can't get you an appointment, but your problem seems like something that e advising could do.

Right.

So send that email because maybe that's all you need. You know, if you can't get an appointment, they might be able to help you right now. So.

Yeah. And you got to know all the services, right? Because like you said, you might have to refer them to the program advisor. Oh, we can't.

You can't meet with the general advisors, but you seem like a good fit for the program advisor. So you can make those different types.

That problem sounds like maybe you got to talk to your success coach. Maybe that's not us. Maybe that's this. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

That's a good thing. Like. Like I say, you are directing a lot of different things and making sure that everybody has what they need to be successful on.

On our side and on the student side. So.

Yeah. And I like working with the student employees too, you know, that's fun, you know? Yeah.

Well, like, listening to you talk about your work and your values, like your values come through. What values guide how you show up both at work and in life?

I think I just like kind of being of service. I feel like it's important to work hard, you know, do your best. But then, you know, it's also important to.

You know, I feel like I read a good quote once that was like, work is good, but that's why it's important to save some for tomorrow. So if you can't solve everything today, you can always work on it tomorrow too. It'll be there tomorrow as well.

Yeah. No, and that's true. It's like you're.

No, I still have stuff I gotta do, and what I can do today, I'm gonna do, and then tomorrow that'll be there, and I'll go ahead and figure that out.

Yeah. Or I was like, man, I got so many things to do. All right, let's Try to prioritize it. Let's get the most important stuff done now.

Let's get the, you know that. Then we'll do the next most important stuff.

Or, or if I have to cover, find coverage for five appointments, I'm going to try to cover the one that's happening next.

Right.

First, then get the one after that. Then get the one. Yeah. Just. Yep.

And I do, I see that service spirit. And you Pat, you come to work, to work and to help us and man, that is major and it's important.

Yeah.

And so I know I don't speak just for our department, but I know for us advisors, we really, really, really appreciate that. So my next question, looking back over the last year, what's something you're really proud of? What made that especially meaningful to you?

Like a personal. I think just kind of like surviving this last like year change.

Because I mean it was, it was pretty tough, you know, not having a job and looking for a job and you know, it was, it was like seven months almost, you know, not having work and you know, so, I mean, I guess I think we're going to talk about the comedy thing that, that helped. And then you know, just like getting, you know, small part time work or you know, temporary things here there got me through.

But then getting this last April, getting in here was good. And then just, you know, kind of being able to jump in, feeling like I was already sort of familiar with LCC that probably gave me a leg up.

Whereas like people go, go to the ANS building. Oh, I know where that is already. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And I really, I guess I didn't realize you haven't even been here a whole year yet.

Almost. Yeah. Like 10 months. Yeah.

In April you'll be here like you said, a year.

Yep.

But it seems like you've been here a long time.

Yeah.

And now. And I'm not saying that in a bad way, it's like a good way. Like you've been here and you.

And you've came in and just came with your feet on the ground and started running. You know what I mean?

Yeah. I mean part of me was like, well, I want to, I want to try to just like get. Get started as fast as I can or.

Yeah, yeah, I know I was laid off for a few years before I found steady work. And you just appreciative to be working full time, have a. Benefits, have the. And that man, that's priceless in a way.

You know what I mean?

Like when you think about, you have all this Education, you have skills and then to find a job that you actually like to do because, yeah, I

feel like it just like messes with your self worth because you're like, I sent. How many applications did I send?

Right?

Oh, like, nobody called me back.

Nobody.

You're like, you get an interview and feel like, I feel like I did pretty well.

Yeah.

And then you get the, oh, well, we went with somebody else. Or you go like, have an interview. I'm like, I don't know how I felt about that one.

But that's the one where they want you to come in for a second one. You're like, oh, okay, right.

No, but that's true. Yeah, you. It does take you through a lot of highs and lows and it makes you think about like, wow, what does this mean?

But if you hold on, you come out on the other side. So.

Yeah.

Yeah, that's cool. So let's kind of step away from work for a moment. Who are you outside of LCC?

So I feel like it surprises a lot of people to know I've always had like, you know, kind of creative side as well. So, like, I do stand up comedy outside of work.

Oh, my.

So like after school I'd watch like Comedy Central, you know, like Saturday Night Live would be on at like 3pm like the reruns of that and then there'd be like comedy specials or whatever would be on. So I'd watch a lot of just comedy and I always liked it. And I'd quote things, you know, to friends and was like, oh, that me.

That would be fun to try sometime. I did like a few things in college at like talent shows and never tried it, you know, seriously.

So I did the open mic at Connections Comedy Club and just kind of kept going from there.

Yeah, that's major though.

Yeah.

Because to be a comedian, to do that, like, so you write your own jokes.

Yeah.

And see, that's work.

Yep. Yeah.

And then to get up on stage in front of people, see, that probably would. I would have probably tried to fake a heart attack or something the first time to do that because your nerves and then like, well, I don't know.

I want to ask you. This is Totally off. But so when you started in the crowds that you started initially with and now the crowds, do you think there's a shift?

Do you think people are more welcoming? Are they less welcoming? What's going on?

I mean, I feel like I've definitely had, like, nerves at first, and I don't know that I'm that, like, I don't look at the crowd that much. You know, some people will be, like, if you're performing on stage, like, should look above the crowd, whatever.

Some people, like, look at everybody and make a ton of eye contact and, like, interact with the crowd, and I don't really do that that much. I definitely feel like I've gotten better about moving around and looking into the crowd more, but I don't do that much of it.

You still working on, like, you feel like. Are you still developing certain aspects of your comedy?

Yeah. Yeah.

Or do you feel like, okay, this works for me, I'm doing pretty well?

Yeah. I mean, I feel like I'm always trying to develop things, but I feel like, you know, early on, everybody always talked about my writing was.

Was really good, and so it was like, I was like, you know, you're a strong writer. I don't know if my performance was always there, but it was like, my performance worked for my writing. Yeah.

But, you know, I've had some good opportunities. I've gotten to do a lot of cool things. Like, I. I. You know, I feel like I've worked with Gary Goleman, who's like, he's a pretty.

Yeah, he's pretty big. And he did a special that was on HBO about, like, his battles with depression and stuff like that. Yeah. You know, then he's.

He's awesome to work with and. Yeah. So seems like anytime he comes through Michigan again, he'll have me open for him.

Oh, that's cool. So you left. Left an impression.

Yeah.

It must have did pretty good.

Yeah.

So that's what's up, Pat. I love that I. I've never. You know, people always say I'm hilarious. Right. But I'm not trying to be funny.

I think that's probably why I'm funny, because I'm not trying to be funny. But I do admire that skill and that you're able to do that. Yeah, I don't know that I could.

Yep.

So. Well, we know that comedy kind of recharges you, but. And you're not. When you work here, you get some joy.

But when you're not doing comedy or you're not on campus, what. What what other thing recharges, you know, or brings you joy?

You know, I like spending time with family and friends too.

Like to read a lot, you know, feel like I read a wide variety of things, you know, sometimes historical books, you know, still try to get that history interest fed, I guess. Fantasy and sci fi as well.

Okay.

Yeah, See, try to think. Anything else? Try to see movies as often as I can. Have like, that Celebration Cinema membership.

Okay.

See, like the three movies a week. Oh, don't usually use that as I don't use that to its fullest, but, you know, try.

But it's there.

Yep.

And it's something to do. I didn't. I like Celebration Cinema. I never. I didn't know about that.

Yeah, it's like $20 a month and you could see three movies a week.

See, yeah, now that would be worth it. But see, the thing of it is, is for me, like, I'll get on a roll and then me and Michaela, we'll go and see movies.

And then it's a dry spot where I don't find any movie that's out that I'm interested in. And so I'm like, oh, okay.

There were a few weeks recently where I was like, yeah, I don't really want to see any.

Yeah, no, that's something interesting to check out. So this one is fun and it'd be interesting because you present one way to me, but then when you telling me a comedian is something else. Right.

So, like, do you consider yourself more of an introvert, an extrovert, or somewhere in between?

Like somewhere in between. I feel like I was pretty much like total introvert most of my life.

Feel like maybe starting to do comedy maybe pushes me out a little bit, you know, maybe in like all aspects of my life. But I feel like it's not. Not a total change, though. So I'd say more right now. Probably somewhere in between.

Well, that's cool though. I think, you know, most people are somewhere in between our jobs or different hobbies make us be more extroverted than we may really want to be.

But yeah, yeah, I mean, I guess, you know, left to my own devices, if I don't have anything going on, I might just be at home, you know, all day. But then I'll be like, oh, I should have done something. I should have gone out and found something to do or whatever.

Yeah, right.

Yep.

Well, as we start to wrap up, what do you hope people feel when they interact with you? Like, what do you hope they get from you?

I hope they feel that I listen to them and, you know, tried to do the best I could to, you know, help them out if they had a problem or, you know, just that I. Someone who, you know, cared and did the best I could for them.

And you do give that off because you do care about people. Well, finally, if someone is listening right now and trying to find their place at LCC, what advice would you want to share with them?

I would say just kind of put yourself out there, you know, ask questions and, you know, find places where that maybe find places where something needs to get done that isn't getting done and see what you can do to help. You know, that's kind of things that I've tried to do, you know, like teamwork. Yeah.

Like, when I started here, I was kind of like, oh, is this something that hasn't been done for a while that needs to get done? You know, oh, I can do that.

You know, help and be useful and come in and want to do things. So I appreciate that. You know, I appreciate you taking the time. Pat, I thank you for sharing your story and your perspective with us today.

It's been a pleasure having you on Who's That Star?

Yeah, thanks for having me, Lisa.

Everybody. Thanks again.

You've been listening to Who's That Star? I'm Lisa A. and you can listen to this episode of Who's That Star? and other shows from LCC Connect anytime online at LCCconnect.org. Thank you for listening. Catch me next time to find out Who's That Star.