Adrianne Snipes is one of a handful of employees who began working at 51ԹϺ School of Dental Medicine before it opened in 2002. During work hours, she supervises the school’s Clinical Simulation Center.
When she’s not on the clock, Snipes dreams of the ultimate vacation where she gets to “chill” with giraffes. Closer to home, she prefers to listen to an audio version of the latest romance or mystery novel. Or, even better, are the traditional Sunday dinners that she shares with her family.
Tell us about an object in your office and what it represents to you.
I have a recycle bin pen holder on my desk. This bin isn’t anything extraordinary; it’s what it represents. It symbolizes the rotation of students, and the willingness to be flexible and adaptable to their needs.
What advice would you give your younger self?
You are enough! Women are always changing things about themselves. We are beautiful just as God created us. Self-love is the best love.
What problem in the world would you most like to fix?
The cost-of-living crisis! The impact of increases for rent, food, and insurance affects everyone. Thousands of people are struggling to make rent, or to find affordable housing.
This can be very frustrating with other living expenses. If you don’t make three times the amount, you don’t qualify to move in. Housing costs are the primary driver of homelessness. Food prices have risen, which includes food at home (groceries) and restaurant meals. Auto insurance rates have gone up. This is happening across the country.
Best tip for staying cool in the summer?
My tip for staying cool in the summer is live, work, and play in air conditioning. Also get outdoor chores done in the early morning hours.
My ideal summer vacation is?
My ideal summer vacation is a trip to the giraffe manor in Nairobi, Kenya. I want to experience feeding a giraffe through a bedroom window, mingling and photographing them, and watching them run around the manor in an old-world charm atmosphere. Something about this seems so magical. That would definitely be a vacation to remember.
What was the last book you couldn’t put down?
I have recently gotten into Audible books. I rarely get a chance to sit for long periods of time and read a book, so listening on my commutes helps me get through books faster. I am a thriller lover, but I also like self-help, romance, and mystery novels.
The last book I read that caught my attention was On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass. It was entertaining with good storylines that kept me hooked until the end. I really enjoyed the writing style of this author. Sometimes, if I read a book that’s overly descriptive, I skip multiple pages, but not this one. This author is a great storyteller.
Favorite holiday food or unique tradition for your family?
Once-a-month Sunday dinner’s a must at my house. This has always been a tradition with my grandmother and my mother. Now it’s trickled down to me. It’s an ideal way to entertain and reconnect with extended family. There’s something about rest and relaxation with food, family, and friends that makes my heart full.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I learned how to ride a motorcycle. I’ve always wanted to learn because it looked like fun. After some health concerns pushed me to actually try some things I often thought about, but never acted on, I enrolled in a local community college MSF (motorcycle safety foundation) basic rider course. During that weekend, there was a mix of practical instruction and application on the range. I completed the course and earned the MSF BRC completion card, but, to this day, I’ve never ridden a bike on the road.
