What obstacles have you overcome in your career?
The biggest obstacles I have had to overcome in my career are to not underestimate my abilities and to be confident in myself. I learned it is OK to push your limits and expand your horizons. You will be surprised about what you can do when you put your mind to it.

What is your work history and education that enabled you to attain your current position?
I went to college at Humboldt State University where I majored in forestry with an emphasis in Environmental Ethics and a minor in Geographic Information Technology. After I graduated from college, I worked for the Pacific Lumber Company as a Forestry Technician (equivalent to an Oregon Forester) conducting timber harvest plan layouts, engineering road designs, and archeological surveys. I worked alongside Calfire, Department of Fish and Game, and California Geological Survey. What I learned from both schooling and working in the woods is that anything is achievable through hard work, commitment, and dedication. However, in reality, I did not go to college to study for my current position. It was my family and those I work with at the UO who influenced my career the most. It was their support and their confidence in me as a leader that helped me see myself as who I am today. I cannot and never will be able to thank them enough.

How has working at UO enabled your professional goals and interests?
Working at UO has allowed me to achieve one of my professional goals, which is to make a difference. For me, I have accomplished this by inspiring and providing the tools for coworkers to advance their career; by being an ear for coworkers during difficult times; and by advancing the mission of the department.

What do you like about your current position?
What is not to like about my job? I am able to make impactful decisions, partake in discussions, inspire professional growth, work with the crew, interact with staff and faculty, and make positive and productive change. Not every decision pursued is going to go over well with the crews; some might head back to the drawing board for reconsideration, which is to be expected. You cannot have a department mission that starts off with the two words, “communication” and “collaboration” if you are not willing to listen and receive constructive feedback. We need to remember that we are a team and all have the same end goal, which is “to continually provide excellent service across the University of Oregon.”

Please share some insight into what your job involves.
Though my position description states many duties, my job mostly involves directing staff to ensure we are providing and will continue to provide outstanding customer service to the campus community.   

What advice do you have for others; what secrets would you share for someone thinking of applying to the UO?
My advice for others who are thinking of applying: do it! I did not start where I am now, but through hard work, dedication, and commitment I was able to achieve my professional goals. There are many different jobs on campus, so find one that will match your skill set. The goal is to get past the hiring process and the probationary period. The biggest secret, which should not be secret at all: stay motivated and most of all express interest.  The hiring process is a way to get one foot in the door; what you do with your other foot is up to you.

Share a little about yourself personally.
How I would like to be remembered: I would like to be remembered as a Supervisor who cared, who was fair, and most of all, who made a difference. The great thing about this university and this department: there are many supervisors that fit this criteria, and I would like to be one of them. Not because I said it, but because they said it.

(October 2020)