The MSU Alumni Spotlight is a feature of the IMPACT that allows NCBC members across the nation to get to know graduates of the MSU Judicial Administration Program. If you would like to be featured in a future MSU Alumni Spotlight, please contact Heather Burse or Cathy White. In this issue, we talk with MSU Alum Kristen Batty.
Name: Kristen Batty
Title: Chief Deputy Clerk
Court: Rhode Island Bankruptcy Court
MSU Program: Judicial Administration Non‐Credit Certificate
How has your participation in the MSU program impacted your career?
I have been employed by the USBC District of Rhode Island since 1992. I started my career as a Case Administrator, went on to be the Administrative Specialist to the Clerk of Court, then added the additional duty of Training Coordinator until moving on to Human Resources Administrator. My current position is Chief Deputy Clerk and I give my completion of the MSU Judicial Administration Non-Credit Program credit for my success. It was all good timing. As I was completing my capstone project, the Chief Deputy position became open and I applied. During the interview process, I was able to express my knowledge and understanding of many, many areas of the court. The rest is history . . .thank goodness.
What other benefits has the program brought into your life?
I realize I have achieved a personal gain with this program. I was proud to complete the capstone project. It had been a while (I won't say how long) since I had written a paper in college. What to write about? How to research? How to reference? After going through the whole process, I ended up with a research paper I was proud of.
What was the time commitment for your program? How did you integrate that into your lifestyle?
The program took me 5 years to complete. I was lucky enough to have completed many of my MSU courses at the NCBC Conferences. There were a couple of years I was not able to attend NCBC so I completed those courses on-line. A couple of the classes were interactive which was interesting. It almost felt like being in an instructor led classroom. Other classes were self-paced which also had its positives. I was able to start the class, save any work I had done, and go back later to finish. Each method of learning worked out well.
What tips or ideas can you share about finding a work/life balance that is conducive to achieving success in this program?
Make a schedule and keep on track. Two or three classes a year should be plenty of time to complete the program. If you try to complete more than that in a year, it may become burdensome and you won't enjoy what you are learning.
Are there any last thoughts or maybe a piece of advice you'd like to share with us?
I really enjoyed the MSU Judicial Administration Program. Although MSU will not be offered at NCBC any longer, I still recommend this course to anyone. It's nice to get a better understanding and appreciation for all the different areas in a US Court.
Name: Kristen Batty
Title: Chief Deputy Clerk
Court: Rhode Island Bankruptcy Court
MSU Program: Judicial Administration Non‐Credit Certificate
How has your participation in the MSU program impacted your career?
I have been employed by the USBC District of Rhode Island since 1992. I started my career as a Case Administrator, went on to be the Administrative Specialist to the Clerk of Court, then added the additional duty of Training Coordinator until moving on to Human Resources Administrator. My current position is Chief Deputy Clerk and I give my completion of the MSU Judicial Administration Non-Credit Program credit for my success. It was all good timing. As I was completing my capstone project, the Chief Deputy position became open and I applied. During the interview process, I was able to express my knowledge and understanding of many, many areas of the court. The rest is history . . .thank goodness.
What other benefits has the program brought into your life?
I realize I have achieved a personal gain with this program. I was proud to complete the capstone project. It had been a while (I won't say how long) since I had written a paper in college. What to write about? How to research? How to reference? After going through the whole process, I ended up with a research paper I was proud of.
What was the time commitment for your program? How did you integrate that into your lifestyle?
The program took me 5 years to complete. I was lucky enough to have completed many of my MSU courses at the NCBC Conferences. There were a couple of years I was not able to attend NCBC so I completed those courses on-line. A couple of the classes were interactive which was interesting. It almost felt like being in an instructor led classroom. Other classes were self-paced which also had its positives. I was able to start the class, save any work I had done, and go back later to finish. Each method of learning worked out well.
What tips or ideas can you share about finding a work/life balance that is conducive to achieving success in this program?
Make a schedule and keep on track. Two or three classes a year should be plenty of time to complete the program. If you try to complete more than that in a year, it may become burdensome and you won't enjoy what you are learning.
Are there any last thoughts or maybe a piece of advice you'd like to share with us?
I really enjoyed the MSU Judicial Administration Program. Although MSU will not be offered at NCBC any longer, I still recommend this course to anyone. It's nice to get a better understanding and appreciation for all the different areas in a US Court.