Married professors balance work, personal lives

Bob Slisz was in his research methods class for the third time when he met JoAnne Bunnage.

Back then, she was just another member of his study group, who he hoped could help him get through his final class of grad school once and for all.

Fast forward to now, and Slisz and Bunnage are a married couple, working as adjunct lecturers in the applied health science department of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

“Working together is good,” Slisz said. “One of the best parts is we’re on the same basic schedule. We’re able to take time off in the summer and go on vacations together, we have spring break together and we have the same down time during Christmas break."

Slisz and Bunnage are just a small portion of married couples that bring both their professional and personal lives to campus.

Bonnie and Steve Layton, lecturers for the School of Journalism, met while they were studying at the University of Florida. Bonnie was in grad school as lab assistant and Steve an undergraduate working on graphic design.

The couple has been married for 10 years, but this is their first year teaching at the same university together and Steve’s first teaching job. Bonnie taught at the University of Illinois from 1990 to 1996.

“It’s a big change for me,” Steve said. “I’ve never taught before, but it’s something she helps me out with.”

Bonnie and Steve also worked for rival newspapers — the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times.

“Back then we didn’t even discuss work,” Steve said.

One of the major challenges of working at the same university, Steve said, is handling job pressure at the same time.

“The most stressful thing about it so far is we both had assignments due at the time,” Bonnie said. “Although we both understand deadlines, it’s stressful when you both have to grade assignments and give feedback to students.”

Bunnage said she agreed, particularly around busy times during the academic year.

“The hectic period is usually around finals,” Bunnage said. “We have a lot of takeout pizza during that week.”

Despite this stress, both couples said they enjoy the fact that they have jobs at the same university.

“He’d come home, then sleep for eight to 10 hours and be right back to work,” Bonnie said. “By working here we’re able to enjoy more time with the children and enjoy dinner together, things that other couples take for granted.”

Slisz and Bunnage said they enjoying bouncing advice and ideas off each other to use in the classroom, but said they don’t see each other as often as some might think, despite working in the same department.

“It can be challenging,” Bunnage said. “But sometimes we guest lecture for each other.”