Q: You have a new role as Director of Research Computing and Infrastructure (RCI) Services. Tell us a little about the work you do.
My role is to lead the Research, Infrastructure, Desktop Support, and Instructional Computing teams within LSA Technology Services.
Q: What gets you excited about coming to work?
I have been deeply impressed by the kindness, dedication, and knowledge that the staff in LSA Technology Services display on a daily basis. People obviously want to do the right thing for the university, college, faculty, researchers, staff, and students.
Q: What are a few things you would like your team to accomplish in the 2021-22 academic year?
I’m a bit obsessed with priorities. My goal is to work with each member of the RCI management team to determine what are their team priorities for the next 12-24 months by quarter in terms of projects, innovation, operations, and maintenance/clean up. For each major area, I want to be mindful of what accomplishments we’d like to make quarter over quarter, selecting appropriate accomplishments and celebrating progress. As one of my leaders said, I want to do a small number of things well and complete them, rather than tackling too many things at once and not finishing things.
Q: How do you keep up with new technologies and trends in and outside the workplace.
I’m a big fan of reading books and articles, not only about technology advances, but also leadership, change management, organizational development, communications, engagement, and team building. I tend to be the one in the room sharing information about leadership and I can count on my staff, who are deeply engaged with technology, to share current articles with me.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your life outside of work. (family, pets, hobbies)
Within U-M, I am also a member of the Program Management Team for the Voices of the Staff (Advisor for the Leading Change team). Before the pandemic I used to teach a Peer Leadership class at Organizational Learning, and I am currently being certified as an Executive Coach in the new U-M program.
Outside of work I spend time with my family - my husband Jim, daughters Lizzy and Anna, our dog Louie and cat George. Lizzy attends Michigan State and Anna will be starting her first year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison this fall. That’s three Big 10 flags to fly on our porch! There are some conflicting loyalties, especially with football and hockey. Our family also has a summer cottage Southwest of Hell, Michigan, where we enjoy spending time on the water with paddle boards and kayaks. Even our 90 pound Lab, Louie, enjoys riding on the paddle board.
Finally, I’m a board member for Peace Neighborhood, a local non-profit group that serves low-income families in Ann Arbor.
Q: Describe your perfect vacation.
Actually, I just took it. We went to Sanibel, Florida. My ideal vacation has warmth, water, and places to walk and bike. We love to shell and hunt for Petoskey stones along the water. I enjoy some quiet time for reading, but I also like to visit local tourist sites and museums. Sanibel provided all those things.
Q: What was the last book you read?
Lately, I have been reading a list of books by Sue Monk Kidd. I am currently reading her novel, Book of Longings.
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
During high school, I was a member of my high school wrestling team. I was a manager—I kept statistics, scores, and taped ankles.
Q: What is a (non-workplace) skill you would like to learn or you are currently learning?
I have been teaching my 17 year old to weave baskets, and we recently made a few Easter baskets. Basket weaving is an old hobby of mine, one that I decided to take back up as a COVID boredom activity.
