Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Jennifer Bussey has been at Clovis Community College since 2001.
Jennifer Bussey believes in Santa Claus.
"He is real. It's the idea of giving not receiving. It's the spirit of Christmas. Better to give than receive," she said.
She shared more about her life in an interview with The News last week.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Petersburg, Texas.
Petersburg is 15 miles off I-27 between Lubbock and Plainview. I graduated from Petersburg High School, I attended South Plains College in Levelland then transferred to Texas Tech.
I have two degrees from Tech, a bachelor's in multidisciplinary studies and a master's in higher education.
Q: As Texas born, what do you see as the difference between Texas and New Mexico?
A: Little nuances that are hard to explain. It's a feeling.
The tangible thing is New Mexico has green chile on everything. Texas doesn't have that.
I have nothing but love for both states though.
Q: How did you come to be in Clovis?
A: I came here in 2001 for a job at Clovis Community College.
Q: Tell us about your family.
A: My dad was James Bussey. He passed away three years ago.
My mom is Sharon Bussey. She lives in Petersburg.
My brother Greg lives with my mom and works in Lubbock.
My Aunt Rhonda Graham lives in Lubbock with her two dogs.
Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A: A lot of things. I changed it all the time, maybe weekly.
Nurse, teacher, writer of children's books. I also really wanted to be an entertainer.
Q: What other careers have you had?
A: I've had other jobs but not a career.
I worked at Baskin-Robbins ice cream, Fuddrucker's hamburgers.
Those are the ones that come to mind.
Q: What is your career? What do you like about it?
A: I'm the director of academic advising at CCC.
I became the director in March 2023.
Before that I worked in the academic advising office.
I like that I get to work closely with students and help them achieve their academic goals.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: My mom and dad. They are both my heroes.
My mom is my best friend.
Q: Jennifer Bussey described in one word....
A: Independent.
Q: What is your theme song?
A: My mom would say "Humble and Kind" by Tim McGraw.
But actually a couple of songs come to mind. They both deal with being oneself without worrying what others think: "Follow Your Arrow" by Kacey Musgraves and "My Prerogative" by Bobby Brown.
Q: What's your favorite sport? What do you like about it?
A: College football and college basketball.
The college sports have changed a lot, but have maintained their soul and spirit.
Favorite teams? Texas Tech for both football and basketball.
Q: What's your favorite food?
A: That's like asking someone their favorite child. I tend to gravitate toward Asian food, egg rolls and sushi.
Q: What's the best sandwich?
A: It's a dichotomy, fancy cucumber finger sándwiches or a big ol' sub on soft French bread.
Q: Where do you like to vacation?
A: The beach or near the ocean. I love the water, I'm a Pisces. I like the coast of Texas, California, Hawaii.
Q: What's a place where you've never been that you'd like to go?
A: New York City.
I've never been, I've always wanted to go.
Q: If you had the opportunity to spend a day with one or a few people from your life, from history, from the world ... who would that be and what would you talk about?
A: It would be my dad.
I would ask him all the things I never got to ask him, and tell him all the things I needed to tell him. One day would never be enough.
Q: What is your favorite saying or quote?
A: It's from the musical "Hamilton."
"There's a million things I haven't done, but just you wait."
