What area do you work in within the VPFA portfolio?
I work as part of the Business Automation Team, where we work with campus units to streamline otherwise arduous and manual processes. Automating verifications via APIs, approval workflows, that kind of stuff.

What has been your career path; how did you end up in your current position?
My career actually started in student services! After a number of years in AmeriCorps, then academic advising, and student conduct, I completed OSU’s post-bacc program in computer science, which allowed me to make my way back to UO to my current role.

What obstacles have you overcome in your career?
I defined myself quite a bit through my professional roles — Mission oriented work! Serving students! — and I derived a great deal of pride of meaning from the work I was a part of. However, that came crashing down when I encountered a supervisor (not at UO) who used bullying, gaslighting, and threats to exert power over me. This was my first encounter with this type of narcissistic personality, and it led me to take extended FMLA for my own wellness and to reconsider my relationship with work. Now that I’m on the other side of that situation, I’m better for it. I’ve got healthier boundaries with my job, and I’m able to spend more time investing in my home life and hobbies. I still derive meaning from my work, but I’m a fuller person now because of this experience.

How has working at UO enabled your professional goals and interests?
As I mentioned above, IT is a newer career direction for me, and it offers a whole new perspective for me to understand and build on my skills. I'm really excited to be a part of this community on campus, and to keep learning from others and building skills that will allow me to contribute while keeping things interesting. 🙂 

What do you like about your current position?
Having worked with students at UO for a number of years, there were numerous times where I wished someone could just make some of our processes clearer or more efficient! It’s fine to wish for an easy button, but now I’m part of a team that helps make them! It’s exciting to make students’ and employees’ experiences even a little bit better as they navigate the institution. I also get to work with some great folks and learn things every day, so that’s a big plus!

What advice do you have for someone thinking of applying to the UO?
Speak to the qualifications and competencies that are listed in the PD! They are there for a reason. Also, if you're considering possible career directions, look at jobs you may want a few years down the road. The required experiences and competencies for those roles can help you set professional development goals for yourself in the meantime, even if you're not ready to apply for the position today. 

A little about me:

• Family: I live with my partner of 15 years, Eric. We have a tiny, stinky dog together (named Panko), and two cats. The cat thing is new, and one of them had to be isolated for ringworm for five months(!) when we got her, but now that’s over and we all get to lounge together in harmony.
• Favorite food: Remember the Frisco noodles food cart that used to be on the edge of campus by 13th? Those were the good ol' days.
• Best movie you’ve seen: It’s not the best, but Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze will always be a core part of my experience. 🐢
• Favorite place in Oregon: Eric and I go camping at Newberry Volcano every summer. The caldera has two lakes, an obsidian flow, and a waterfall! You can hike around the rim of the volcano, and right nearby are lava tubes to explore. It's like a little playground right on top of a mountain. It's a blast!
• Hobbies: I mentioned that I’ve been able to spend more time tending to my interests outside of work. That includes a few different activities that have taken up my free time recently.
  • First of all, I recently got into weaving! What started out with weaving small straps and bands has turned into me getting a piano-sized loom to weave scarves, towels, table runners, and more! The whole process is super soothing and gets you right into the zone. I also just learned that one of my designs will be published in a weaving magazine next year, which is really exciting!
  • I also started learning how to create generative art, specifically using a pen plotter. Basically, this involves using math and Python to create randomly generated pieces that can be printed with a special printer that uses pens instead of ink cartridges. Creativity like this was not always in my comfort zone, so it’s been very fun to be able to experiment and surprise myself when things turn out differently than I expected. It's also just fun to watch the printer work its magic.
  • Anyone who knows me would also know that I’m super into Eurovision these past few years. It’s coming up in May, and I can’t wait! Check out the music on YouTube, and hit me up if you ever want to nerd out! :D

(April 2025)