From 2021-2022, the VRO underwent a massive personnel turnover. This turnover could have been even worse if not for the foresight of Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, Eric Olsen. On the verge of losing his Senior VRO School Certifying Official (SCO), Rebecca Scaife, who was moving out of state for family reasons, which would have gutted the office entirely, Associate VP Olsen implemented a telework arrangement with Rebecca. This arrangement “promoted the retention of a highly qualified employee” and practically saved the office.

Shortly thereafter, LTC (Retired) Andy Allen was hired to head the office. Allen quickly saw the wisdom of keeping Rebecca as the VRO’s Senior SCO.

“Rebecca was highly motivated and skilled at her job. I was grateful to Dr. Olsen for hiring her. Not only did she keep our office above water by certifying students to utilize the GI Bill®, but she also trained our newly hired SCO to an exceptionally high standard. I was grateful for USU’s telework policy that allowed Rebecca to continue to work full-time despite working at a location other than USU.”

Rebecca had this to say about her telework position:
“For many, ‘remote work’ conjures images of pajamas and midday naps. But for those of us juggling family life with a passion for serving veterans, it's a delicate balancing act. As a School Certifying Official for Utah State University's Veterans Resource Office (VRO), I have spent the past two years navigating the world of remote work. While I miss the in-person interactions with students and my colleagues, the flexibility has been instrumental in supporting my family and still serving our USU service members, veterans, and their families (SMVF).

“Two years ago, my life was taking me away from Logan, but I thoroughly enjoyed the work I was doing with the VRO. Fortunately, the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, Eric Olsen granted me the access to work remotely. I am truly grateful to still be a part of the VRO, because it is a very special environment that can impact our veterans’ and dependents’ academic experience and life.

“Working remotely enhances my focus and productivity. Without having the consistent bustle of the office, I can dive deeper and be more consistent with my tasks. It gives me the space and time to pay attention to detail on certifications and ensure the VRO effectively reaches veterans. Personally, I work well in my own space and find it easier to focus. My main priority is to efficiently certify and support our GI Bill® students.

Some may wonder how it is possible to stay connected when the office and its employees work from Logan and Rebecca does not. Allen has made “connecting as a team” a top priority for himself and the entire office. Rebecca said the following about staying connected:
“Technology keeps our VRO team connected. Regular video calls and messaging platforms such as Slack have allowed us to communicate daily, brainstorm ideas, share updates, and maintain that sense of camaraderie. I still get to be involved with my peers, receive pictures, and share stories to maintain strong relationships. It is crucial that I communicate well and stay informed with the day to day of the office. It helps me support my colleagues and the students.

One of the key elements of successful telework is establishing healthy boundaries. Speaking about this, Rebecca said, “Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life is crucial. I've learned to stick to a schedule and be diligent in completing my daily tasks before any household distractions. I do take care of my one-year-old daughter, with help from time to time, and that is made possible due to having a VRO Director and team that respects my family duties.

When I first started in person, I could see the potential of the VRO space and what the office could provide for the students. I am grateful to still be a part of the progress and see all the great things my team is doing. Overall, working remotely has been a positive experience, allowing me to achieve a healthy work-life balance while contributing to the VRO's mission of supporting veterans like those using the GI Bill®.

The VRO functions like a well-oiled machine these days, thanks in great measure to a dynamic team that believes in and exemplifies teamwork and works seamlessly with one another, regardless of where they physically work from.