Tell me about yourself! What do you like to do in your free time?
Originally, I’m from all over the Chicagoland. I grew up there, so I love Chicago teams: the Bears, the Bulls, the White Sox, really all things Chicago. My favorite food is definitely a good cheeseburger, but I also really enjoy prunes (but not prune juice). Random, I know.
I’ve been a runner my whole life; I ran track/cross country in high school, but I’ve continued the hobby well through my adult life. I also go on a lot of walks, and I really enjoy cycling. Staying active is very important to me.
I recently finished my PhD in Higher Education from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, which is where I really became interested in assessment.
Given that you’re new to the OPAIR team, what were you doing before? What do you enjoy most about working for Penn State so far?
While finishing my PhD, a lot of my work experiences involved different types of assessment in higher education. I worked within student affairs (residence life, student diversity programs), as well as with a fellowship program for graduate students where we sought to identify and provide solutions to various issues for students. I also had opportunities to work within a research practice partnership focused on improving college student loan repayment, and an office of community health where I helped collect and analyze qualitative data.
Once I finished school, I became a senior research specialist for a large independent school district in Texas. There, I developed virtual dashboards to help the surrounding community understand how our district used federal funds to address student learning loss (linked to COVID-19). In this job, I worked a lot with Microsoft Excel and quantitative data which was a change of pace from what I had done in the past.
Since coming to Penn State, I’ve enjoyed the teamwork and the close-knit community I’m a part of. I really take pride in being able to assist others, and it’s awesome to know that if I ever need assistance my team has my back. It’s been really enjoyable to come into this environment and learn about everyone’s work. I’m part of a great team in which everyone has helped make my transition very smooth.
Has working for Penn State taught you anything new?
I’m currently learning the differences between Penn State’s campuses. While University of Wisconsin has multiple campuses, they’re not categorized the same as Penn State’s campuses. It’s been an adjustment to learn the system and be able to distinguish a Campus College from a University College. The assessment team has helped me distinguish the two and our supervisor (Betty) created a helpful display chart.
What motivates you the most in your line of work?
My experiences as a student and member of university staff (at different types of institutions) have motivated my work to a great degree. As someone who’s been on both sides of the assessment table, I recognize the importance of our work and take it seriously.
I also really enjoy being able to help develop and expand strategies to achieve assessment goals. It’s important to take a step back and remember that assessment data correlates to real people, not just numbers in a file, and to be mindful of how we use it.
Assessment is important; it helps us figure out the best services for our university community. Additionally, it supports administrators in developing key strategies for ensuring Penn State remains accredited.
Are there any current or upcoming projects that you’re especially excited about?
Currently, I’m assisting with the biennial faculty exit report. Reports like these are crucial for helping Penn State understand the experiences of exiting faculty and develop solutions for addressing different faculty-related concerns. This report can also help Penn State identify and hone services that contribute to higher satisfaction amongst its faculty.
With the new year approaching, what are some of your goals for 2023?
One goal is to learn more about Penn State in general. I really want to branch out and meet different people throughout the university so that I can get a better feel for the faculty, staff, and students. This will not only help my work, but also help me connect with the institution as a whole. I’m also preparing for the review process of our current Learning Outcomes Assessment cycle because that’s going to be a huge project this spring semester.
Outside of OPAIR, I plan to stay physically active by preparing and signing up for a spring marathon with my family. I look forward to what 2023 has in store!