Name:Â Duski Hale
Position/Institution:Â Senior Legal Administrator and Director of Licensing, Mississippi State University
Number of years in your position:Â 3 years
Hometown:Â Starkville, MS
Twitter (personal): @DuskiHÂ Â
Twitter (licensing):Â
@hailstatestyle
1. Why did you become involved in ICLA?
I became involved in ICLA at the suggestion of my predecessor and mentor, the incredible Sharon Hewlett.
2. How has your involvement with ICLA influenced your career?
ICLA has influenced my career through networking and learning. The past and current message board posts have been a game changer. Â
3. Why/when did you decide to pursue a career in collegiate licensing?
I was in town helping my aunt after shoulder surgery, and the lady I worked for at a downtown law firm when I was a freshman at Mississippi State, Sharon Hewlett, had an opening. We joked about me staying and applying. It was a joke until it wasn't, and I became her assistant and moved back to Starkville after 30 years.
4. What is the biggest challenge to working in a university environment?
The biggest challenge to working in a university environment is finding the balance between maintaining good community relationships and saying NO. People say, "You mean I can't just make university items and sell them? Even if I went to school here?"
5. What is the most important skill you have developed in your career?
Walking the line I mentioned in the previous answer is the most important skill I have developed in my career. You can stand your ground and still leave angry people with a good impression of the university (and sometimes of you).
6. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?
When people come to me for help, they usually want help fixing something, giving something away, making a recipe, or making something goofy, like a jingle or catchphrase. I'm pretty punny sometimes.
7. Who has been the most influential person in your career?
In this career, there are several influential people. Sharon Hewlett, of course, is one. But I have also learned so much from Jennifer Blackmon and Jason Harbison and my two incredible mentors, Dale Arens and Maggie McHugh. They all have fantastic programs and are intelligent, lovely people, who never make you feel like your dumb questions are dumb.
8. Who's your role model? Why?
My role model is definitely Sharon Hewlett. She is the epitome of a cool, calm, and collected professional, but she is also someone you can pour your heart out to or share a good laugh with over a bottle of wine. I mean, I mean, GLASS of wine.
9. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the field of collegiate licensing?
The best advice I have ever received is also the advice I would give to someone looking to enter the field: Never be afraid of asking questions! This isn't rocket science, but there are lots of moving parts to our jobs in licensing. Odds are, someone else has had the same problem you are struggling with and can give you the answer or, at a minimum, connect you with someone who has options.
10. In your opinion, where is collegiate licensing headed in the future?
I think collegiate licensing will continue to grow and reach areas we didn't see coming. I think we all expect the unexpected at this point, unless you saw NFTs coming. In that case, you can probably see what's around the corner much better than I can.
11. If you could choose one amenity to add to the workplace, what would it be?
I would add room service to the workplace. I have a great office space with all the amenities, but it gets HOT in Mississippi, y'all. Lunch delivery in July and August would be the bee's knees.
12. What percentage of your workweek is spent in your office?
Since I live in General Counsel, and COVID causes all the issues, 90% to 100% of my workweek is spent in my office. But as things slow on the legal side a bit, I want to get out to my local retailers, departments, photoshoots, etc. much more often.
13. If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning a medal for?
I would have a good chance at winning a medal for cleaning and organizing. If this ever becomes a thing, you're going to want to bet on me!
14. What's your favorite quote?
My favorite quote is, "Remember who you are and whose you are." I have always told my children that hard decisions become a lot easier if they remember those two things. Remembering that I belong to Jesus and whose mother, wife, daughter, friend, and employee I am never leads me astray.
15. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren't an issue?
I would get into interior renovations and decorating if time and money weren't an issue. I love them, but you need a lot of time and money to do them well.
16. What is your favorite family tradition?
I have a lot of favorite family traditions, but the fantasy football draft where I am the commissioner is one that I miss. All my kids and their friends gather for a day of food and selection. Everyone in the same room searching and scrambling after each selection is so fun to watch. Then, when they make their selections, I announce (they boo me) and add them to the enormous homemade board that stays in our game room all year.
17. What are you really good at that might surprise people?
It might surprise people that I'm really good at making something out of nothing. I am pretty crafty with minimal supplies. Give me a balloon, a marker, or a pipe cleaner and tell me what you need. I am your girl.
18. If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
If I didn't have to sleep, I would clean and organize with the extra time. My husband says he's afraid I'll make the bed if he gets up at night. I probably would.
19. What is your biggest pet peeve?
My biggest pet peeve is the number of questions gas pumps and debit card machines ask you. For example, "Is this a debit card?," "What is your pin?," "What grade of gas?," "Do you want a car wash?," "What is your zip code?," "Are you a rewards member?," "Is this amount correct?," Do you want to put it all on this card?," "Is there anything left in your cart (buggy in the south)," and "Do you want to bag this item?" Sheesh. Can we go back to cash?
20. What is your favorite binge-worthy show or book you are reading right now?
I am currently reading four books. None are binge worthy, obviously, but I am watching
Billions. It is so bizarre, but I can't stop watching!
Â