Marilee Mai

Cosmetology Instructor | Calmar Campus

When you were growing up, what game or activity did you absolutely dread playing, and why?

The game I absolutely disliked growing up, which my mom made me play (I did not realize was not a game until later in life) was called the “Resting Game.” Every day during the summer, our small town of New Hampton had a Noon siren to let everyone know it was lunch time and a 1 p.m. siren to let everyone know it was time to go back to work. I was happy to hear the Noon siren because I knew my dad would be home to eat lunch with me. When the second siren went off, I had to run as fast as I could to rest in my bed and eventually take a nap. I remember crying when I heard the second siren. What I wouldn't give a 1 p.m. siren at NICC now!

When you retire, and assuming you have enough money to do so, what is one cause you would give to because you are passionate about its mission and purpose?

When I retire, I want to help “one person at a time” in need. My desire is to use my talents by keeping the Italian proverb in mind, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for his lifetime.” Much of the time, I see, hear and read about big pictures of assistance. I would like to narrow the snapshot and start with one success at a time and build from there.

During your career at Northeast Iowa Community College, what is the nicest thing that ever happened to you, or someone did for you?

The nicest thing that happened to me was a colleague who did not judge me by the situation. She knows who she is; thank you from the bottom of my heart. It is very hard under certain conditions to not be judgmental of someone and when “she” validated the non-judgment, I felt vindicated and a loyal friendship developed.

Name one country or region in the world you have never visited that you someday want to visit, serve or spend a vacation?

Recently, as a gift from my oldest son, I had my DNA tested. I discovered I am of the Czech descent (for sure). I have a passion for cooking and baking. My grandmothers, along with my mother, were awesome cooks. Growing up, I enjoyed numerous great meals from German and Czech ancestry. I would love to experience the areas of Czechia, Slovakia and Poland and be able to learn to cook and bake with the locals.

If you had one million dollars to build anything you wanted, what would you build and why?

If I had one million dollars I would build an Academy of Life. It would be a simple place where someone could learn soft skills and daily survival techniques. A setting of no judgment; just learning made fun with the hope of paying it forward. For instance, demonstrating and teaching fundamental skills such as: hygiene, manners, cooking, cleaning, swimming, budgeting, networking, etc.

Why swimming? Swimming is a skill taken for granted and it has always been on the top of my list. Growing up, my mother was scared to death of the water and experiencing her fears made swimming become a priority of mine. I helped others to overcome their fear of the water by teaching swimming lessons. All of my children were swimming in 10 feet of water by the time they were five years old and now my husband swims as well. Water can be empowering, healing and soothing for the soul when fear is eliminated.