I have wanted to work at OU since I began my higher education role in 2017. So many family members are alumni, including my grandmother, who was a spitfire of a human and amazing musician. In addition to our family legacy, the atmosphere of a college campus and a college town is just plain fun. The first week I came to work at OU, I walked into the student union and there was a student playing the piano so beautifully and with so much passion. I just paused and took it in and thought “This. This is what my life has been missing”.
Compassion fatigue is a doozy of a thing! I just hope to make a few people smile, laugh a little, and remind them what incredible humans they are: that being here changing lives is a powerful thing. We need each other. Loving on our staff and faculty so they can, in turn, love on our students in what it’s all about for me.
Currently on the Faculty Senate Awards Committee, Communications Committee, Staff Initiatives Committee and Staff Week Committee. I serve as the unofficial “Cheermeister” for my daughter’s volleyball team. It’s okay that I appointed myself this title. There’s a rumor that they’re erecting a bronze statue. No, it’s not too much.
Making my children laugh is probably my number one goal on any given day. There is no sweeter sound. They’re 13, 17 and 22, so it’s harder now, but I’m a glutton for punishment so it works. I can also be found crashing any karaoke party, gaming a little, working any number of jobs to keep this ship afloat or being held hostage in my big comfy chair by my pets.
I have a dog named Leroy, who thinks he’s a cat, three cats who think they’re humans, and one of those cats yells loudly at us to turn on the faucet in the bathroom daily. He says none of us are getting a Christmas bonus.
