What area do you work in within the VPFA portfolio?
I work in the Office of Sustainability, which is a unit under the Campus Planning and Facilities Management (CPFM) umbrella.
What is your current position, and what are your job responsibilities?
My position is Program Manager, which is a new role within the office. My primary duties focus on campus and community engagement programs and projects. This portfolio includes programs like Community for Environmental Leaders, a first-year residency community for students, and the Sustainability Faculty Fellows program, which supports faculty in including sustainability and community-engaged learning in their courses. It also includes the Home Energy SCORE Program, a partnership with EWEB and the City of Eugene, to provide free assessments of home energy efficiency to low income renters. I manage social media accounts and communications for the Office of Sustainability, research and suggest new projects and programs we might undertake, and am working on data gathering to track and report the UO’s carbon footprint (a project that has relied on support from multiple VPFA colleagues).
What has been your career path; how did you end up in your current position?
I began my career in higher education, focused on English literature teaching and research, earning my PhD from the UO in 2012. I then moved into the private sector, working in technology, education, and community action. Prior to returning to the UO for this position, I was a Sr. Project Manager at a non-profit focused on technology in education. Taking on the program manager position at the Office of Sustainability was a great opportunity to merge my strengths in project management and program development with my commitment to the value of higher education, as well as sustainability issues and ideas.
I began my career in higher education, focused on English literature teaching and research, earning my PhD from the UO in 2012. I then moved into the private sector, working in technology, education, and community action. Prior to returning to the UO for this position, I was a Sr. Project Manager at a non-profit focused on technology in education. Taking on the program manager position at the Office of Sustainability was a great opportunity to merge my strengths in project management and program development with my commitment to the value of higher education, as well as sustainability issues and ideas.
What obstacles have you overcome in your career?
Making the transition to the non-academic workforce was challenging. I realized quickly that I had to prove my professionalism, and also build my non-academic resume. This meant a period of time working in temporary or freelance jobs as a way to build that deeper experience and then be able to showcase it in job materials.
Making the transition to the non-academic workforce was challenging. I realized quickly that I had to prove my professionalism, and also build my non-academic resume. This meant a period of time working in temporary or freelance jobs as a way to build that deeper experience and then be able to showcase it in job materials.
What is your work history and education that enabled you to attain your current position?
At every stage of my career I have been highly organized and goal focused, which are crucial skills for getting things done as a program and project manager. I also enjoy collaborating with others and building strategic partnerships, which is a key part of my current position. Last, my dual academic and industry backgrounds mean I can interact well with UO staff, faculty, and students, as well as community and business partners.
At every stage of my career I have been highly organized and goal focused, which are crucial skills for getting things done as a program and project manager. I also enjoy collaborating with others and building strategic partnerships, which is a key part of my current position. Last, my dual academic and industry backgrounds mean I can interact well with UO staff, faculty, and students, as well as community and business partners.
How has working at UO enabled your professional goals and interests?
The first answer is the opportunity to take on increased leadership and ownership of programs and projects. The second is a return to work that furthers my belief in the power of higher education and appreciation for supporting students and faculty work.
The first answer is the opportunity to take on increased leadership and ownership of programs and projects. The second is a return to work that furthers my belief in the power of higher education and appreciation for supporting students and faculty work.
What do you like about your current position?
A lot of things, but I really appreciate being able to focus on both higher education and a longstanding passion area for me personally: sustainability and environmental issues. I also like getting to work with such a diverse group of professionals in CPFM, across campus, and in Eugene broadly.
A lot of things, but I really appreciate being able to focus on both higher education and a longstanding passion area for me personally: sustainability and environmental issues. I also like getting to work with such a diverse group of professionals in CPFM, across campus, and in Eugene broadly.
What advice would you have for others; what secrets would you share for someone thinking of applying to the UO?
In one sense it’s the same advice I would have for any workplace: Be prepared, do your research, and be yourself. An ideal work situation is going to be a good match for both you and the employer, and that means being authentic and also going in with a mindset to determine yourself if you want to work there.
In one sense it’s the same advice I would have for any workplace: Be prepared, do your research, and be yourself. An ideal work situation is going to be a good match for both you and the employer, and that means being authentic and also going in with a mindset to determine yourself if you want to work there.
Share a little about yourself personally:
Family – Longstanding significant other and a bonkers dog.
Favorite food – I could live on chips, salsa, guacamole, and refried beans if I had to.
Best movie you’ve seen – Casablanca, No Country for Old Men, The Princess Bride
If you could only take three items with you to a deserted island, what would they be? Assuming “fun” and not “survival,” I’d say a well-loaded music listening device, the collected works of Willa Cather, and sunscreen.
Family – Longstanding significant other and a bonkers dog.
Favorite food – I could live on chips, salsa, guacamole, and refried beans if I had to.
Best movie you’ve seen – Casablanca, No Country for Old Men, The Princess Bride
If you could only take three items with you to a deserted island, what would they be? Assuming “fun” and not “survival,” I’d say a well-loaded music listening device, the collected works of Willa Cather, and sunscreen.
How do you want to be remembered?
Fondly.
If you could have the answer to any question, what would it be?
I already have the answer. It’s “42.” So what I really want to know is, what is the question?
(November 2018)