Spending all day in a campus setting might be enough school for some people. Not Elaine Brown. After finishing work in Sproul Hall, she heads to Woodland Community College to further her studies. It's learning that she figures will ultimately help her improve her day-to-day interactions back at Sproul.

A 20-year campus employee, Brown is an office coordinator for the English as a Second Language program.

During the day, she interacts with undergraduates and international graduate students who are working on their linguistics ESL requirement -- which is geared toward making sure their English writing skills meet university standards.

Brown's job involves informing students when testing has indicated they need to be placed into an ESL program. Some students, she says, are not thrilled about that placement, because many are so successful in other subjects. "Sometimes they argue with us. They don't realize we're here to help them, not penalize them," she says.

Brown started on campus in 1981 as a temporary employee. Her first assignment found her at the ESL program office, which also happened to have a permanent position available. Brown leapt at the opportunity, she says.

In the evenings, the Woodland native -- whose children now have children of their own -- is off to the local community college. She went back to school to finish college studies she started more than two decades ago. She plans to earn a sociology degree in about three years.

"I have two grandkids in school, and now they see Grandma in school, too," Brown says. "My granddaughter lets me know that I can bring my books over to study if I'm there to babysit. And I encourage them to finish schooling before they get to my age. But, if you are my age, there still is hope."

-- By Mike Sintetos