News Article

Let's meet Dr. Jody Long, assistant professor of social work, who came to Arkansas State after 18 years at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.

Jody Long, EdD, LCSW

Name:

Jody Long, EdD, LCSW On day one, I was named Joel. But from day two on, I’ve always been called Jody.

Place of birth:

Dahlonega, Ga., which was the home of the first Gold Rush (before California). The gold on the capital in Atlanta came from Dahlonega.

Family:

With my beautiful wife Carol we are like a modern day “Brady Bunch”. She brought her three children into our marriage and I brought my two sons. Our kids are grown up now and scattered across the country in Kansas City, Chicago, Madison, Champaign and Memphis.

Your philosophy on education in seven words:

Meeting each student where they are academically.

If you could teach another field, which one and why?

Forensic Science, I love to watch it on TV.

Why did you choose A-State?

I had been at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center for 18 years. However, occasionally my wife would talk about leaving Memphis. I was reading the Chronicle of Higher Education one Sunday night and saw an ad for a position at Arkansas State but it closed at midnight. I asked my wife if I should apply. She immediately said “Yes” because we both came from small towns. I put together a letter of interest, references and updated my vitae. The next day Loretta Brewer called to schedule an interview. We met on Wednesday and I accepted the following week. Good bye Memphis - Hello Jonesboro, Here come the Longs.

Before you retire I want to...

skydive.

What makes a good professor?

Transforming information so that students can grasp knowledge and integrate that learning experience long-term. I have been a fan of David Kolb’s Experiential Learning model for years.

The people I’d take to coffee...

Jimmy Carter, Carl Rogers and Bill Murray.

The best advice I ever received was...

troubles are not burdens but challenges.

Who was your favorite teacher (and why)?

My favorite teacher was Katrina Meyer at the University of Memphis. She had a great blend of challenge and support. After the first year of my doctoral program, my mother became ill and died. I actually thought about dropping out of my doctorate. However, Dr. Meyer emailed me times to meet. She stated she believed in me and before I left, I had registered for the next semester.

Dinner or supper?

My mother always called us to supper.

My favorite meal is...

eggplant parmesan.

What is the one thing you wish you could teach everyone about your field?

How much I absolutely love social work!

What are you working on right now?

I am collaborating with Pat Wilkerson on a Telepsychiatry Study with data I collected at UT.

What music is playing in your car?

Lou Reed, Boz Scaggs, and Al Green

The television series I must TiVo...

any and all sporting events.

If I could travel anywhere it would be...

Australia both the beaches and the outback.

What is the one thing I’ve learned I’d tell my college self...

slow down and enjoy the ride.

My hobby is...

sports and more sports. My wife says I am a sports addict.

My passion is...

The outdoors and hiking. We have been all over hiking from the Smoky Mountains to the Grand Canyon.

What’s the value of a university education?

To become a life- long learner. With our children, we have an attorney, an accountant, an economist, a marketing professional, and one going to the peace corp. The reason they went to college was to get an education that prepares you for life. (Although, I wanted one to be a nurse for free medical advice and one to be a mechanic to work on our cars.)

My pro sports team is...

Atlanta Braves (being from GA).

My pet peeve is...

seeing trash on the ground.

A perfect day is...

warm, sunny, hiking.

What I like about Jonesboro is...

the friendliness of the people.

Cats or dogs?

We are cat people.

E-book or hardback?

Hardback. I still love to curl up with my wife and a good book.

Beach or mountains?

Mountains and more Mountains

I wish I could...

Not sweat the small things.

Only my friends know I...

Sweat the small things.

My favorite saying is...

This too shall pass.