Q & A with Trace Glau, 2001 BFA
What was your Major at NAU?
I got my BFA in Fine Art, with my Studio emphasis in Metalsmithing and Printmaking, at NAU in 2001.
Then I earned my M.ED, in Educational Psychology, Human Relations, and Community Counseling at NAU in 2009.
Finally, I got my MILS (Masters in Library Science) from U of A in 2022.
How did you end up at NAU?
Way back in 1998, I decided to go back to college. I attended ASU for 1.5 years since my parents both worked there. Once I had a feeling for college, I enrolled at NAU for a variety of reasons. I loved the campus, class options, the professors, the college environment, and surrounding woods. I had gone on an NAU tour in 1988 and the atmosphere really left a lasting impression.
How did you decide on a major?
My first degree from NAU was based on wanting to teach art. After doing my post-degree work to teach K-12 art, I quickly realized I wanted to work with college students instead. I started teaching art at Coconino Community College in 2006 and earned my Master’s in Education during that time, while also working at NAU. This combination of an undergrad degree in art and an Education Master’s degree set me up to be a successful instructor. I liked the versatility of the M ED degree because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to eventually be an advisor or a counselor or what. Even with the additional routes my education and my career took, I’m glad I was able to teach art at CCC like I had always dreamed I would.
How did you work at NAU get you ready for your career?
In many ways. The examples of my NAU professors had a huge impact on me, especially observing the ways that they treated students, which helped inform the ways I treat students today. I probably wouldn’t be a printmaker if I hadn’t had David Williams for printmaking, which I practice to this day. My work with with Debra Edgerton seriously impacted my watercolor work, and inspired me to innovate in my artwork through the years. Now, coming full circle as a librarian, I am able to work with both these professors and their students.
NAU coursework also prepared me for my career with a hearty Fine Arts program that included the core courses, but also provided many opportunities such as metalsmithing, specialized printmaking, and ceramics. I continue to utilize these skills I learned from NAU art professors.
My professors also impacted me by instilling a love for art; to always view it, support it, create it, and love it. I am an active artist after all of these years. My BFA and MED prepared me for my newest Masters’s degree in Library Science from UA. Without a strong educational foundation, I wouldn’t have been ready for the research-heavy courses required in library school. I should mention my employment by NAU: I started as a student worker, moved on to a part-time employee, then to a full-time classified staff. Now I’m an Academic Professional. My coursework and career have been intertwined for decades.
Did you participate in any experiential learning opportunities, like a study abroad or an internship? How did these contribute to your overall NAU experience?
I participated in the I-Step program (2002) in the College of Education. This was co-taught by two teachers, and it was two semesters condensed into one. I did three internships or teaching experiences as part of this program. This opportunity really helped me determine if I wanted to teach K-12 art. Without this experience, I may have ended up in a career I wasn’t truly suited for.
What campus activities did you participate in while you were a student?
Being a non-traditional student, I didn’t participate in a lot of campus activities – but I did support and work at many events. These ranged from NAU Author book signings to new student orientation, previews, graduate fairs, Northern Arizona Book Festival, and Student Poster Symposiums.
What part of your NAU experience do you value most highly today, and what could NAU have done better to prepare you for the future?
I value the people. They had the biggest impact on me. The passion the professors have for their subject, the different teaching styles, and the mutual respect I witnessed between the students and professors. So, the people really impacted me and my future.
In my art classes, I learned bout the balance between giving the student space to create, and saving space for feedback. I still attempt to practice that balance with students, even in my current position.
I also received a strong foundation of skills with my art degree- studio experience, art history, and the practice of displaying my work.
I also always felt supported by my co-workers at NAU. In Cline Library, where I have worked since 2006, there are a lot of artists, writers, and musicians who have not only supported my career but also my creative endeavors.
The NAU campus creates a welcoming atmosphere full of nature, beautiful spaces to study, and interesting integration of outdoor artwork.
The people at NAU have always given me inspiration. I taught at CCC for over ten years before deciding to earn my library degree, and part of that drive was from being inspired by my coworkers and professors.
The professors here at NAU also helped me to realize that having art in my life is important. They taught me to value cultivating the arts, to contribute through creation, and to remain open-minded when working with others because everyone brings their own experiences to life. We all learn from each other, and I am grateful for that.