by Philicia Tonangoye
EL CAJON, Calif. – From the East Coast to the West Coast, it was in 2009 that Jeanette Calo,freshly married, took the road with her husband for their honeymoon destination, Escondido, CA, looking to start a new chapter wherever life guides her to, in mind, one passion, the one she cherishes the most that will lead her life and career until now.
Jeanette Calo has been an associate professor of journalism and digital media for 10 years and, incidentally, department chair of media communication at Grossmont College. Calo graduated from high school in New Jersey in 2000. Afterward, she applied to a few places for college, but following a brother’s steps, she went to a Christian college called Cedarville University in Ohio. As an “East Coast girl,” the Midwest was not a good fit for her.
Eventually, she got overwhelmed by the strict environment in this college and encountered some health issues. After giving it another year, Calo decided to return home to William Patterson University, which was a much better fit for her, she got a part-time job at Starbucks and made great friends.
Calo majored in English Literature, and upon graduation, she was offered a job at the New Jersey Herald, a daily newspaper in New Jersey, despite having no prior interest or knowledge in journalism. Calo said, “I just fell into it because I knew somebody who knew somebody. I began this job in journalism without any idea what I was doing.” However, with the support of a supportive team, Calo quickly learned how to navigate this unfamiliar field.
She was taught how to be a print journalist, with general assignments that were mostly features, then she got a humor column, and started covering courts and police affairs.
“I covered some townships, and I got a taste of everything while I was there, but I had never wanted to be a journalist,” Calo said.
Still uncertain about what she wanted to do, Calo went to grad school at Seton Hall University, intending to be an English professor or researcher. After her master’s degree, she became an undergraduate professor at Seton Hall. “I liked being an undergraduate professor at Seton Hall. I taught literature and composition for two years and I had eight classes. I got a pretty good idea of what I was like to be a professor.” Calo said.
While working at the newspaper in New Jersey, The New Jersey Harold, Calo met her husband They broke up when she ventured out to Paris as an Au pair for five months, and they got back together after she went to graduate school. So, they “dated a cross-country.”
By then, he had been offered a job at the North County Times, and they both moved to Escondido, CA.
“I needed a job again, and there were no jobs because of the financial recession,” Calo said. Still via some contacts, she got a job as an adjunct professor at Palomar Community College. She taught a news writing class, was part of the teaching roster for two to three years, and worked many part-time jobs.
“I was working as a magazine editor for multiple magazines. I was also working as a graphic designer for a medical company. I worked at Banana Republic for a while.”
Later on, she saw an advertisement for a job at Grossmont College for a tenured faculty position.When she got the job, she was surprised because she said she was terrible at interviews and didn’t think she’d get it. “It was nice to have just one job, full time” Calo said.
In 2020, Calo completed her doctorate during COVID-19. It was challenging, she said, because she was managing all her coursework online, moving Grossmont’s courses online, managing the department’s administrative duties and following all of the COVID-19 protocols.
Calo is passionate about her job, working with people and students. Being an administrator is one thing, but what she values and cherishes the most is being a professor, teaching, providing knowledge, and supporting students are the highlights of Jeanette Calo’s job as a professor of journalism and digital studies at Grossmont College.
It’s been 10 years, and she’s currently the department chair. When she first arrived, Evan Wirig, Ph.D. was chair and had been for 20 years. The role traditionally rotates through the full-time faculty. Calo is about to start her third term as chair.
Being a woman in a male-dominated department was initially a real challenge for Calo. “I was the first woman hired full-time in the media communication department.” Calo said, “Moreover, being a younger woman didn’t make it easy either.” She added, It was more difficult at first, for sure. She persevered and stood her ground.
Calo is responsible for multiple online and in-person classes, the student production news (The Summit), and managing the department. When asked about her motivations, she said she cares about students, excellence, and success. “I want our department to be the best it can be, and Ithink students deserve that.”
Calo believes in the excellence of community colleges and feels that it is her strength. Her management skills come from having worked multiple part-time jobs over the past years.
