Balancing Act
2011 graduates find success in family and career.
As an international student from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Jessica (Field) Fox, ’11, took a leap of faith when she arrived at UND, knowing only one person: D’Arcy Fox, ’11.
“I immediately felt welcomed by the College of Social Work and the campus in general,” said Jessica, who appreciated UND’s one-year accelerated master’s program. “I was able to maintain my relationship with D’Arcy and quickly form friendships, especially with other international students.”
A Relationship Takes Flight
Jessica and D’Arcy met in passing at a coffee shop in Minneapolis with a mutual group of friends. “We had a brief encounter, then started emailing,” Jessica said. “I applied to UND for my master’s knowing I wanted to give the relationship my best shot.”
The year in Grand Forks flew by. Married on Sept. 4, 2010, the couple spent lots of time on campus while living in a tiny downtown apartment. “It was a short, intense time, but we have lots of memories and think back on it fondly,” D’Arcy said.
D'Arcy shows off his aviation skills to Jess.
Jess and D'Arcy balance work and three kids.
Fast Forward to 2024
Today, Jess and Darcy live in Saskatoon, with three kids and two demanding jobs. “Saskatoon isn’t much of a stretch from Grand Forks,” Jessica explained. “We were used to the prairies and the cold winters, and wanted to be close to my family.”
Jessica spent nearly a decade as a hospital social worker before transitioning to her role as a student affairs and outreach coordinator at the University of Saskatchewan. She helps students, faculty, and families in distress, and also works to support students before crises arise.
D’Arcy is a captain with Saskatchewan Air Ambulance. After moving to Saskatoon, he did charter work on a regional airline and flew a 737 with WestJet Airlines. Long stretches away from home led him to seek a better work-life balance. As an air ambulance pilot, D’Arcy responds to critical calls in remote communities and facilitates transfers to larger hospitals. Despite the 24/7, 365-day nature of the job, D’Arcy rarely overnights. “I’m home 99% of the time,” he said.
UND’s Lasting Impact
D’Arcy credits UND’s rigorous flight training for laying the foundation of his career. “Training in Grand Forks, with its extreme weather and intense crosswinds, gave me the skills I need to fly into remote areas with minimal services.”
Exploring new things led to D’Arcy’s current situation. “Where I’ve landed as a pilot – having a work-life balance that allows me to be home with my kids every day – is rare in this industry.”
Jessica and D’Arcy have found that same balance. “We both work in crisis-response fields, so we never know what each day will bring,” Jessica said. “But when we’re home, we shut it off and focus on being present with our kids.”
For Jessica, the leap of faith she took in coming to UND has shaped her career—and her life.
