What area do you work in within the VPFA portfolio?

University Human Resources Benefits Office

What is your current position, and what are your job responsibilities?

My current position is Benefits Coordinator.  I assist employees, new and current, with all things related to their benefits, from medical coverage to retirement.

What has been your career path; how did you end up in your current position?

I have been in the Benefits office for almost 1.5 years. Prior to that I spent 10 years in Payroll in the Business Affairs office. It’s been an interesting journey as benefits and payroll intersect so much.

What obstacles have you overcome in your career?

I have learned to get more comfortable with public speaking including doing large-group Zoom meetings and tabling events.  It’s nice to be out on campus interacting with the campus community.

How has working at UO enabled your professional goals and interests? 

Working at the UO has allowed me to really explore expanding my skill set, as well as learning new skills.  UO provides a great resource in LinkedIn learning.  I have been able to utilize these courses to hone my current skills and to learn new ones; it really is a great resource.

What do you like about your current position?

Since benefits are individual to each person, I get the opportunity to get to know a little bit about each employee I interact with so that I can be sure that their benefits suit their specific situation.  We don’t always get to connect on a personal level with our peers, so it is great that I have the opportunity as part of my job to do so.

Please share some insight into what your job involves (e.g., something you had to solve, a complicated situation that worked out well, something you are proud of, etc.)

While most of the job is informing employees about the benefits available and explaining the differences in the plans, we also get to be part of the highs and lows of life.  From births and marriages, to divorces and, unfortunately, deaths.  Life continues to happen to each of us every day and changes are inevitable; some are good and some are not so happy sometimes.  Each day brings something new.

What advice do you have for someone thinking of applying to the UO?

Don’t be afraid to apply.  Skills and experiences can be transferable.   To paraphrase Thomas A. Knight, “If you don’t try, you’ll never succeed.” You may find a new path that is really rewarding.

Share a little about yourself personally:

• Family: Married for over 30 years, 2 adult children, 1 grandchild
• Favorite food: Anything Mexican
• Best movie you’ve seen: I am a huge Harry Potter fan and have watched them hundreds of times.
• How do you want to be remembered? As a person who is kind.

(January 2025)