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jane ledford-adkins
administrative manager/assistant to the chair |
ledford-adkins.1@osu.edu |
614 292 0984 |
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I am a BFA 1993 dance performance emphasis graduate from the OSU Department of Dance. While a dance major, I was a work-study student for the Chair's Office for the renowned Vickie Blaine and executive assistants Joan Kissell and Ellie Brockman. After graduation, I moved to Chicago. I worked in corporate and non-profit administration full-time from 1993-2001 at the Chicago headquarters of Enterprise Rent-a-Car, the Arts and Business Council of Chicago 1997, but mostly for one of the predominant business strategy consulting firms in the world, The Boston Consulting Group.
I danced part-time with Emergence Dance Theater from 1993-95, and then began dancing with MFA alum Molly Shanahan in her company, Mad Shak Dance Company. Laughing, dancing, and costuming with the artists of the company, Molly, and the board of directors was life-altering. I carry those experiences with me to this day, and think of them fondly and often. I was the first Managing Director of Mad Shak and laid the foundation for the budgeting, board, and administrative management of the company. Since 1997, Molly has shifted focus from a company to a project-centered artistic journey. I am very proud of being part of the roots that has enabled Molly to flourish in her artistic life journey.
In 2000, I had healthy boy/girl twins. My family moved back to Columbus in 2002. I then came back to the OSU Department of Dance and accepted the Administrative Manager position. I feel fortunate to be part of OSU and the ever-evolving work in the university and the department.
I say, "Once a dancer, always a dancer. I am always dancing, even though my body isn't moving in the studio or on the stage." I am still a dance artist and enjoy working in my art form, however that work presents itself. I tell people, "I've probably done more for my art form pushing paper and numbers then I ever did in the studio or on the stage." I am blessed knowing my daily work is part of helping the art form evolve within the teaching/studio/rehearsal, community, and performance spaces.
I get a charge supporting staff with their professional development and their management questions related to their job areas. I enjoy helping students and faculty complete part of their research with travel or expenses, the hiring process of new staff and faculty, assisting employees with their HR questions, talking to university people about the department and non-university people about OSU and the Department of Dance. Every day in the department has different tasks and challenges. Some days are more challenging than others with compliance and audit-centered university processes. Overall, though, it is rewarding and I feel so lucky to have this job. |
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