The December 2015 P&A Senate Newsletter is now available to download.
In this issue:
- Message from the P&A Senate Chair - Susanne Vandergon
- December 4 Meeting Notes
- Announcements
- Join a Senate Committee
- P&A Awards
- New Journal Seeking Articles
- Brown Bag Lunch and Learn Sessions
- P&A Recognition
- Carla Carlson named AAAS Fellow
- Andrew Furco named to the Academy of Community Engagement Scholarship and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities' 2016 Board of Directors
- 2015 Award for Global Engagement
- P&A Spotlight - Brigid Tuck
READ IT NOW
What is your role at the University of Minnesota? What do you do in a typical day/week?
I am an economic analyst for Extension. My week is split between running numbers, writing reports, and presenting the results to communities. I am a member of the Center for Community Vitality. We collaborate with Minnesota communities on economic development, civic engagement, leadership development, and tourism.
How does your work impact the University community?
I help Minnesota communities use economic data to make critical, yet informed, decisions. In so doing, I am bringing the resources of our University out into communities. I am also helping the public understand the value and the strength of the University of Minnesota.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I can study the economic impact of just about any industry or activity. In the process, I am constantly learning. Each project gives me the opportunity to explore new things - agbioscience one week, tourism another, and bike trails the next! I am curious by nature, so I love this about my job.
What would people never guess you do in your job?
I spend a considerable amount of my time engaged in community discussions and making community presentations. When I started my job, a colleague informed my office mates that I would probably spend all my time locked in my office conducting analyses and writing reports. Turns out, I spend more time out and about in communities than I do in my office.
People would be surprised if they knew:
I am fairly competitive. If you want me to do my best, just invent a friendly competition, I'll be there.
What do you like best about working at UMN?
My team! I am fortunate to work with a team of people who are passionate about helping Minnesota communities. They are also wicked smart and fun to work with.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years, I hope to have continued to increase my profile in Minnesota. Extension has a lot to offer to our communities, but sometimes we are the "best kept secret". I hope to help change that perception.
What is one thing you couldn't live without?
My treadmill. Trust me, you do not want to be around me if I haven't been able to run for a few days.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am a mom of 3 elementary and middle-school aged kids, so spare time does not exist. I am a runner - so when I have time, I am out enjoying sunshine and nature while pushing myself to run just a little faster (see my comment about being competitive above).
What was your best vacation?
I always enjoy time spent with my family. We spend a week every summer at a lake in Northern Minnesota. Last year, we visited a few state parks and went underground in the Tower Soudan mine. It was fun to see the mine through the eyes of my kids.
The November 2015 P&A Senate Newsletter is now available to download.
In this issue:
- Message from the P&A Senate Chair - Susanne Vandergon
- November 6 Meeting Notes
- Announcements
- P&A is back on Twitter
- P&A employees on 9- or 10-month contracts
- Brown Bag Lunch and Learn Sessions
- P&A Recognition
- Class of 2016 Pillar of the Profession
- 2015 New Professional of the Year
- 2015 Minnesota Library Association President's Award
- 2015 AMEM Best Practice for Prevention Award
- P&A Employee Spotlight - Kelaine Haas
READ IT NOW
What is your role at the University of Minnesota? What do you do in a typical day/week?
I am the Undergraduate Research Coordinator for the College of Biological Sciences. The majority of my responsibilities center around helping students navigate the research opportunities available to them as undergraduates here at the University of Minnesota. I meet with students in one-on-one appointments to discuss potential faculty mentors, how to craft a professional email, and what to expect once they are in a lab setting. When I am not working directly with students in appointments, I am hosting workshops, co-teaching the Honors Thesis writing course for CBS, and working with research mentors to develop undergraduate projects.
How does your work impact the University community?
I have the unique opportunity to contribute to both the educational and research missions of the University, because my work is all about connecting CBS undergraduates with opportunities to do research during their undergraduate careers.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I really love hearing students talk about the research that they have done in their lab. Early on in their experience, students are usually able to explain the overall goals of the lab, the main questions being asked, and some basic level of detail about what they are doing. As students progress and take on more responsibility, those explanations become much more complex, students start to take ownership over their projects and become experts. Watching that progression is definitely one of my favorite parts of this role and the relationships I build with students!
What would people never guess you do in your job?
I am part of the Welcome Week College Day planning committee for CBS. This year, I arranged for 541 first-year students to tour 31 different labs on two campuses during Welcome Week, providing the newest CBS students with a firsthand look at the incredible research happening at the U.
What do you like best about working at UMN?
I think the faculty here at the University of Minnesota are absolutely amazing and incredibly invested in our undergraduates. Faculty are willing to give lab tours, table for events and connect with students. I love working in a place where it is clear that the faculty and staff are devoted to improving and supporting the undergraduate experience.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I am not entirely sure where I will be in 5 years, but I hope to be in a role where I am still serving students at the University of Minnesota. I really enjoy the administrative parts of my job and the connections I am able to building with faculty, staff and students. I hope whatever I do next will incorporate those aspects of my current role.
What is one thing you couldn't live without?
My family and friends. My partner and my son are both really awesome and super fun. The rest of my family is in NC and I don't see them as much as I would like. Thankfully, I have a wonderful "family by choice" in the friends I have made in MN.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I knit. A lot. I usually have a project with me in case I have a few minutes to knit a few stitches. I am currently working on a cardigan for myself.
What was your best vacation?
I am originally from NC and I have spent many wonderful vacations throughout my life at the Outer Banks. My entire family and my partner's family are spending this Thanksgiving there, in fact. The beach is probably one of my favorite places to be anytime of the year!
The October 2015 P&A Senate Newsletter is now available to download.
In this issue:
- Message from the P&A Senate Chair - Susanne Vandergon
- Announcements
- Strategic Plan Update
- 2015 E2 Employee Engagement Survey
- Brown Bag Lunch and Learn Sessions
- Invitation to Mini Bioethics Academy
- P&A Recognition
- Celebrating University Women Awards
- NETS Regional Network Director
- AIA Minnesota Special Award
- NCDA President
- P&A Employee Spotlight - Jeff Reisdorfer
READ IT NOW
The June 2015 issue of the P&A Senate Newsletter is now available for download.
In this issue:
- Message from the P&A Senate Chair - Katherine Dowd
- Updates from the Subcommittees
- Benefits and Compensation
- Communications
- Outreach
- Professional Development and Recognition
- Announcements
- Kudos to Kristin Economos
- P&A Employee Spotlight - Stacie Traill